People describe clutter as overwhelming and out of control. Often it is getting started on organizing that keeps you from being organized. If you don’t have hours to get organized, here are 5 things you can do for 5 minutes each to get your home in order.

1. Recycle junk mail. We keep a lot of articles, coupons and paper “just in case.” Stand over your recycle bin or a paper sack and toss old newspapers, extra catalogs or clippings you no longer need.
2. Sort through a kitchen drawer. How many vegetable peelers you need? Set a timer for 5 minutes, grab a shopping bag, open the drawer, pick through anything no longer needed and donate it. Once sorted, group the tools you use most frequently in a container next to the stove top or in an easy access drawer.
3. Make a clothing donation bag. Sometimes getting ready is the hardest part of the day because we feel we have nothing to wear. Go through your clothes closet and choose 5 articles of clothing that don’t make you feel fabulous. Put them in a donation bag to be given to your favorite charity. Get the bag out the door and off to your charity that week.
4. Five minute toy pick up. Enlist your kids to help. Put on energizing music and pick up the toys, placing them back in their spots. Once grouped together, sort through and decide what is age appropriate for your kids. Label the bins where the toys belong so everyone can help put toys away. When there is too much to play with, kids often play with nothing. Help them enjoy their toys by limiting the quantity.
5. Delete email. Email is like a tsunami coming in! Take 5 minutes to delete email from your sent box, especially if it is older than a month. Create a subfolder under your inbox for “completed” or “done” email. Move the email there for a holding tank. Your inbox is for action rather than filing.

Celebrate National Get Organized Month with getting started or maintaining the organization in your home or office. Getting started is already making a difference for your family and your peace of mind.

Ellen R. Delap, CPO®
Professional-Organizer.com
www.professional-organizer.com
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Making Time and Space for what's important to you!
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Certified Professional Organizer®
Certified Family Manager Coach™
Member/Past President NAPO Houston
Member National Association of Professional Organizers
ADD and CD Certificate/National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization