We all know that living a clutter free life is better for us. But sometimes life gets in the way and the curse of ‘being busy’, a sudden bereavement or change in circumstance can stop us in our tracks. A growing family can suddenly make you feel like Steptoe and Son. Your work space often reflects what is going on with you personally. A chaotic house and office can often mean an unfocused mind. Make the time to clear your work and home space and productivity will follow (I promise).

1. Remember – decluttering is good for you

A recent study in the US by the University of California (UCLA) revealed that clutter has a deeply negative impact on our mood and self-esteem. Researchers at the Princeton University also found out that physical clutter negatively affects our ability to focus and process information. Decluttering is like deleting files from a computer or phone, when you make your house or office less full, you will feel clearer and have more time to think about and do other things!

2. Start in your office or work space

If you working daily from space that is messy you won’t be able to get your work done efficiently. Start with the piles of paper, shred and recycle it. File receipts and important documents, ditch the rest. Put inspirational quotes or pictures up and invest in new stationery.

3. Do a small job first

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with one drawer, every house has a ‘junk drawer’, clear that and move on to the next one, before you know it you will have done the whole room. Just remember not to take on too much on in one go. Allocate twenty minutes to one hour per task. Have four bags or boxes, one for things you want to keep, one for the bin, one for charity and one for recycling or selling. As soon as you have you finished make sure you pop the charity bag in the boot of your car and the rubbish in the bin. Make sure you list your items for sale online that week too or give them to a professional eBayer.

4 . Store things you don’t use very often

In your kitchen, you will often find the things that you use often are on the counter and the cupboards are jam-packed with a fondue set you used once or novelty cocktail glasses that you were given as a gift. Really consider whether you will reuse these items and then move them to the loft or garage and get them out when you need them.

5. Do a wardrobe overhaul

Put all the clothes that are on hangers in your wardrobe and face it in the reverse direction. When you take the item out and wear it, replace it with the hanger pointing in the right direction. That way you get a clear picture of what you actually wear. You could also apply this principal to cleaning or beauty products.

6. Don’t feel guilty

 Don’t feel bad about all the things you have accumulated. Remind yourself that you are moving forward and that living and working in a clutter free zone is on the horizon!

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