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12 | r e d f c u.o r g TIPS FOR CONQUERING Organizer, author, and Netflix star Marie Kondo has widely popularized the idea that every possession in your home should spark joy. But for many, the prospect of tackling clutter triggers a not-so-joyful feeling of being anxious and overwhelmed. Here are some tips to get you started: Set a timeframe. Avoiding burnout and staying motivated are keys to organizing success. Instead of dedicating an entire day to organizing your whole house, set a timer for two hours and break a room down into steps – for example, one cabinet, one drawer at a time. Grab a friend. When your friend holds that outdated shirt under their chin, you'll see it through different eyes! Also, their lack of emotional attachment to your stuff means they'll keep you focused and moving forward. Work in categories. Instead of tackling room by room, deal with all your clothes, then all your books or movies, etc. In piling like things together, you may be surprised by how much you have – and by the duplicates! Leave challenging, sentimental items for later, when you've already made good progress and are in the right mindset. Use four boxes. Sort every item into boxes labeled Trash, Give Away, Keep, or Relocate. No item gets passed over. Turn items backwards. Hang your clothes (arranged by color) with the hangers backwards. When you wear something, turn the hanger around to see what you wear over six months – and what you can discard. Try the same method with DVDs or other easily reversed items. Limit new spending. Decluttering isn't effective if you keep bringing in more stuff. When you want to buy a non- essential item, add it to a list with the date. Wait 30 days – you will likely lose the urge to buy it. Decluttering doesn't just look good – it's also good for your health and well-being. We can't all be Marie Kondo, but you can take steps right now to create an environment that makes you feel more peaceful, powerful, and yes, joyful.