For someone who hates clutter, I have a surprising affinity for collections.  There’s something fun about finding something you love and hunting it down mercilessly, followed by basking in the glow of your favorite items.  As usual, I think there’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with things you honestly value and enjoy.  One way to [...]

1.  Painful clothing. Even if it looks fantastic, clothing that pinches, pulls, and gives you blisters is not your friend.  Lose it as quickly as possible and never look back.
2.  People who insult you with “jokes.” I have a neighbor who does this. Actually at this point, she doesn’t even bother with the jokes. She [...]

Browse any furniture or home goods catalog and you’ll likely get the impression that elegant furnishings, designer pillows, factory-fresh tchotchkes and carefully placed objects d’art are what turn a building into a home.  Perhaps if you buy a set of apothecary jars and fill them with something unique or fresh, your house will also feel [...]

The middle of the week is a fantastic time to put things off until the weekend.  (At least for me; I’m notorious for not doing anything of importance until the weekend.)  But not today: today is a perfect day to declutter.  If you’ve been looking around your home and thinking, “I know this place was [...]

My first thought on hearing the words “on demand” and “download instantly” are not complementary. It’s pretty much, “Ugh. More noise to fight through,” with perhaps a choice swear word thrown in for spice.  As if having the ability to watch Air Bud 12 anytime I want is somehow a service worth paying the [...]

Spring cleaning should really be classified as a temporary disorder, causing us to do things we would never consider under different circumstances.  Overcome by the urge to purge, it’s easy to toss perfectly good items out with the genuine clutter. When you open your closet door and think, “I know I had more than a [...]

First, a confession: I have a lot of clothes.  I got hand-me-down closet transfusions from my stylish older sister for years, and it completely corrupted me. I can’t imagine wearing the same few pieces week after week. Still, I’ve had a couple of readers email me asking for information and advice on simplifying their closets [...]

A giant toy toothbrush.  Empty almond tins. An atrocious red lipstick, used once. What do all of these things have in common? They’re all items that are sitting around my house because I might use them someday.
 
“But I Might Use It Someday” Syndrome is one of clutter’s biggest defenders. Not many people want to be [...]