New poster here. I'm ready to hire someone and take a day off to work with them. Anyone use someone to actually work through spaces together? Was it worth it? Could you keep up with the system afterward? Who did you use? TIA!

Anonymous wrote:how much does an organizer cost?

I paid $250 for a two hour session. They offer advice and counsel you on how to declutter rather than actually go through the actual task of sorting through things. I'm sure the cost structure would change for the latter.

Try "Flylady" she is awesome!
It's a whole system to help you run your house and get rid of the clutter.
Good luck!!

I also vouch for Secrets of an Organized Mom. Good luck OP!

how much does an organizer cost?

Unstuff your life (book)

http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com

I'm slightly obsessed with the concept of zero waste and how it fits in with decluttering your home. The key is to not buy/accept anything that you truly do not need which naturally reduces your clutter, but is also environmentally friendly and nudges you toward a more meaningful life (I hope).

Julie Morgenstern

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I'll admit up front that I need help with this too, but when I look at that missminimalist site it just looks depressing. She's downright monastic! Think I'll aim for something in between that and a hoarder.

Know your limits, right? And know your goals -- I want to be able to find things relatively quickly.

I think we need to cut ourselves some slack when the kids are really little. There is probably going to be a fair amount of mess most of the time. It gets easier as they get older and you have time to clean out drawers, can donate things they've outgrown, etc.

I needed to accept that I was hanging onto a lot of things that I thought my kids wanted even though what was really happening was that I couldn't bear to admit that I had sunk a lot of money into something the kids didn't like or didn't like any longer. I kept imagining circumstances in which it would be handy to have something, rather than figuring out I could do to get something for little or no money if it turned out I needed it.

Also, if you've got lots of scrappy things (half-used sticker or coloring books, say), keep one and toss the rest.

Okay, I'll admit up front that I need help with this too, but when I look at that missminimalist site it just looks depressing. She's downright monastic! Think I'll aim for something in between that and a hoarder.

Report back on your progress, OP:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/0/316342.page#3757913

http://unfuckyourhabitat.tumblr.com/

http://organizedhome.com/cut-clutter/declutter-101-where-do-I-start

http://lifeyourway.net/10-things-to-do-everyday-to-stay-organized/

http://www.missminimalist.com/category/declutter/

I love all of Don Aslett's books.
Clutter's Last Stand is a classic!

Try this website - www.declutteryou.com

Some great tips on there. Also, you may just want to start with hiring a professional organizer for a couple of hours to help get you on your way. I did and thought it was money well-spent.

I like "it's all too much" by Peter Walsh. He was the host of a show on decluttering and organizing called Clean Sweep, on TLC a while back.
I found "secrets of an organized mom" useful too. She goes room by room with how-to -approach steps, and practical tips from a moms point of view.good luck! Great that you are doing this...I would like to do the same......

This fall, I've taken on the mammoth task of decluttering my home, area by area. Problem is, I'm terrible at organizing physical spaces. I'm already trying to get rid of stuff but There is a lot I need to keep as a mom of small kids.

Can anyone recommend books or websites with a step by step of how to organize physical spaces? I am aware of Flylady and Unfck your Habitat, but those are more cleaning-oriented. Thanks!