Getting Rid Of The Clutter

It is difficult to see the beauty of a garden when it is taken over by unsightly weeds. In much the same way it is difficult to see all the beautiful treasures in your home when there is clutter. Clutter is easy to accumulate but can be difficult to clean up.

Clutter, is not only distracting but it adds chaos to the home and for everyone in it! Clutter can literally suck the life out of you without you even knowing it! I have heard people say but I function best in clutter. To that I say Hog Wash! I believe people often use that excuse so they don’t have to deal with their junk!

Because we are created in God’s image we love the things he loves and because God is a God of order we too thrive in order! Think about it…even when He created, He did it in an organized fashion. Think about it…how silly would it have been for him to create the animals prior to creating the heavens and the earth. Sometimes it just makes common sense…right? I would like to encourage you to read

Genesis chapter 1&2 to fully appreciate God’s sense of order.

When God created the garden of Eden He meant it to be an orderly, beautiful, and serene place for Adam and Eve. They too had a problems with clutter. Their clutter was in the form of sin. When they cluttered the Garden of Eden with sin the weeds began to grow and it became known as the Garden of Weed’n…and God created work!

So thanks to Adam and Eve to take control of our surroundings and create a haven for our ourselves and our family is gonna take some work! Removing cluttering can be an overwhelming task especially if everything has emotional or sentimental attachment for you. Or, perhaps you are afraid to remove something from your home because you might need it again. If this describe you then perhaps you might want to begin your endeavor to declutter with a word of prayer asking God to give you the strength, wisdom, and courage to detach emotionally and to trust that He will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory.

When it comes to housework, my husband often says if you will tell me what needs to be done I will help. This is such a foreign thought to me…I tell him, “It is really easy. Just stand back and survey the room. Look at the hard surfaces? If it doesn’t go there….Do something about it.” Items displayed that do not contribute to the beauty of the room just need to go away!!! So, store it, donate it, or just throw it away!

So with that said…let’s get started. Below are the steps that have helped me in this area. I encourage you to do what best works for you unless it means not doing it!

Grab 3 large tubs or cardboard boxes and label them
- Store: For items you absolutely do not want to part with or can not replace
- Donate: For items still in good condition but you will not use
- Toss: For items which no longer have a use and must be thrown away
Focus on one room at a time to reduce feeling of being overwhelmed
Begin on the far side of the room and work your way to the door so when you leave the room it is finished and you have a sense of accomplishment
Touch each thing only once by making a one time decision to put it away, throw it away, or store it. If you choose to toss it or store it then put the item in the appropriate box as indicated. This prevents re-work
Do not remove items once the item is assigned to a box! Let go…this is where you must deal with the emotions attached to your “JUNK”.

If you do not have the strength or in-sight to be able to perform the steps above, perhaps bringing in a friend to help will provide the encouragement you need.