Its worth remembering that uncluttering is an ongoing process. Its not a one time shot, then thats the end of it. If you dont integrate new rules to live by, youll find yourself in the same predicament three months from now with your house, your office, your car, and your closets overflowing with stuff.

The good news is that the more you do this, the more it becomes a habit and the more you begin to notice the red flags in your behavior - thoughts like: This thing is perfectly good and I might use it someday. That alone should be enough to prompt you to throw it out (or give it away). When you begin to realize that you can live without all this stuff, its easier to pass through your space and notice more things that you can get rid of.

One of the rules to live by is "If you haven't used it in 6 months - it goes!" Well, if you are really overflowing with clutter, you may find it easier to start with tossing out things you havent used in one year. After you do the one year clean-out. Go through again, and you will find that you have more gumption to stick with the 6 months criteria.

I had a client who started the process in just this way. There was SO much stuff, using the I havent used it in a year qualifier enabled her to get rid of a ton of stuff. Then, she was better equipped mentally and physically to handle the I havent used it in 6 months toss. Pretty soon she started to value the freed up space more than the stuff. After awhile, there was such a transformation, she began to feel like stuff was encroaching on her valuable space! A total shift! (and new found freedom!) She began to think more clearly, noticing lovely things around her that she hadnt noticed before, and she realized that stuff is just stuff. Its not life!

Another really neat trick I learned from another coach is what she calls the Only Two Extras formula. This is great for helping you keep everything under control.

Here's an example. I have one queen sized bed, so I only need 3 sets of sheets (one on the bed, and two extras). So, I picked out my absolute favorites, and donated the rest. Now I have free space, sheets I really enjoy, and the satisfaction of knowing that my above and beyond two extras are being used by someone who can really appreciate them.

Apply this formula everywhere in your house. Several years ago I did battle with my coffee mug collection. I had shelves of cute mugs collected from various places Id traveled to and visited, but they never got used! I decided to get rid of them, and stick with the mugs that go with our china. I pulled out those mugs and discovered, lo and behold, there were about 25 that Id totally forgotten about. It was hard to give them up (memories), but it was a great relief to unload them and to have several free shelves in the kitchen cabinet! Try it! Youll like it, too!

I want to encourage and congratulate you! Many of you are finding that the clich less is more really is true. Less stuff equals more energy and more freedom! When you start applying these tips on an ongoing basis with the smaller things in your life (maybe your coffee cup collection), then youll find it easier to deal with the bigger things!