Teach Yourself Decluttering

by Walmsley, Bernice

• ISBN13: 9780071472722
• ISBN10: 007147272X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-01
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Summary

Banish clutter and free yourselfTeach Yourself Declutteringtakes you step by step--and room by room--throughout your home and office to help you organize your life. Understanding that clutter is often psychological, this guide first helps you identify why you cling to clutter. Then, through a realistic and effective action plan, along with lots of inspirational advice, the author shows you how to: Reduce your paperwork--on your desk and in your computer Get crafty about corralling clutter Keep closets under control

Author Biography

Bernice Walmsley is a freelance writer specializing in self-help writing.

Table of Contents

acknowledgements	vii
introduction	1	(1)
why do you need to declutter?	1	(3)
different sorts of clutter	4	(2)
do you need to declutter?	6	(2)
dealing with feelings	8	(2)
summary	10	(1)
action plan	11	(1)
getting started	12	(18)
when to start	13	(3)
where to start	16	(3)
should you get help?	19	(1)
general guidelines	20	(1)
ten things you can live without	21	(1)
five quick fixes	21	(2)
tips for a quick start	23	(1)
what you need to make a start	24	(1)
where will it all go?	24	(3)
summary	27	(1)
action plan	28	(2)
bedroom bedlam and wardrobe worries	30	(15)
what do you really need in your wardrobe?	31	(4)
separating the seasons	35	(1)
organizing your new wardrobe	36	(2)
sorting and storing shoes and accessories	38	(4)
packing for your holidays	42	(1)
summary	43	(1)
action plan	44	(1)
living spaces	45	(11)
reviewing what's there	46	(2)
assessing your furniture	48	(1)
clearing surfaces	48	(1)
making it multi-functional	49	(3)
storage solutions	52	(2)
summary	54	(1)
action plan	55	(1)
kitchen confusion	56	(16)
what do you use every single day?	59	(1)
clearing surfaces	60	(1)
categorize your clutter areas	61	(6)
storage ideas	67	(3)
summary	70	(1)
action plan	70	(2)
bathroom bliss	72	(9)
what do you need in a bathroom?	73	(3)
storage in the bathroom	76	(2)
the medicine cabinet	78	(1)
toiletries and towels	79	(1)
summary	79	(1)
action plan	80	(1)
reducing paperwork and tidying up your computer	81	(15)
breaking the task into stages	82	(2)
looking at existing filing systems	84	(1)
developing filing systems that you will stick with	85	(1)
junk mail	86	(2)
e-mail	88	(1)
tidying up your computer	89	(2)
clearing your desktop	91	(1)
keeping up the good work	92	(1)
summary	93	(1)
action plan	94	(2)
children's mess	96	(13)
the pros and cons of children helping to declutter	97	(2)
what will you throw out or recycle?	99	(2)
storage solutions	101	(4)
clutter in the nursery	105	(2)
summary	107	(1)
action plan	108	(1)
the spare room, loft or cellar	109	(11)
the spare room	111	(2)
the loft, attic or cellar	113	(5)
don't forget the airing cupboard	118	(1)
summary	118	(1)
action plan	119	(1)
arts and crafts clutter	120	(7)
will you ever use those bows from last year's birthday presents?	121	(2)
types of storage for 'bits and pieces'	123	(2)
becoming organized will make you craftier	125	(1)
summary	125	(1)
action plan	126	(1)
collections and treasures	127	(8)
is it junk?	129	(1)
have things got out of hand?	129	(1)
dealing with collections and treasures	130	(1)
displaying your collections and treasures	131	(2)
summary	133	(1)
action plan	134	(1)
outside disorder	135	(14)
who does all this stuff belong to?	136	(1)
the garage	136	(5)
the shed and the garden	141	(3)
your car	144	(2)
caravans	146	(1)
summary	147	(1)
action plan	148	(1)
for the bereaved, newly divorced and 'empty nesters'	149	(14)
when should you tackle the job following a bereavement?	150	(1)
dealing with feelings	151	(1)
what should you keep?	152	(2)
for the newly divorced	154	(1)
when the children leave home	154	(4)
when you move house	158	(1)
when you downsize	159	(1)
what will you do with all that stuff?	160	(1)
summary	161	(1)
action plan	162	(1)
danger areas	163	(12)
how clutter creeps up on you	164	(1)
where did the clutter come from?	164	(2)
places to avoid	166	(2)
five things to do instead of shopping	168	(1)
gift clutter	169	(1)
why are you keeping all your clutter?	170	(2)
top ten excuses for not decluttering	172	(1)
guilty feelings	172	(1)
summary	173	(1)
action plan	174	(1)
life after decluttering	175	(8)
reaching your goal	176	(1)
the benefits	176	(2)
keeping it up	178	(3)
summary	181	(1)
action plan	182	(1)
taking it further	183	(4)
useful organizations	183	(1)
useful websites	184	(3)
index	187