tidbit about Chapter 8

        The title of Chapter Eight (8) in the book, "PRETTY NEAT - the buttoned-up way to get organized and let go of perfection" (which was co-authored by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, from 'Get Buttoned Up' ), is:
     "CLEAR  THE  CLUTTER  AT  HOME"

    Today's exert come from page ninety six (96), the last paragraph on the page. "Cluttertosis occurs when you have an accumulation of clutter. We define clutter as anything that takes up space, physical or virtual, that either doesn't work or isn't making your life better in an ongoing basis. We admit that's a pretty broad definition. But we feel that getting any more precise than that is problematic. Why? Because choosing to label what is clutter is a very personal decision; as the old saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. To one, a collection of baseball cards is clutter. To that person's husband, anything but. For simplicity's sake, anything that (a) you don't really love, (b) you don't really need or use, (c) doesn't represent you or make you happy, or (d) doesn't work, is clutter."

   Then on page ninety eight (98), they list "A Four-step Cure For Clutertosis" and go into details describing each step, as well as tips on how to implement each step. I however, am only going to list each of the four steps.
    "1) Routines - Once established, simple routines take almost zero extra effort and are increasingly effective at keeping clutter at bay.
     2) Rules - Basic rules about when and how to deal with clutter eliminate the need to think too hard about what stays or goes; cleanup becomes automatic."
     3) Regards - Regarding your things through another's eyes (real or imagined) can be a helpful way to indentify what is clutter so you can deal with it.
    4) Reviews - If you can't bring yourself to get rid of something, putting it in a review box for a specified period of time can make it much easier to part with once the allotted time is up."

    Do you use a routine for clearing the clutter in your home? Does it actually work for you?  If so, PLEASE tell us all about it!!! There are others whom might benefit from implementing your tactics. And then there is of course the fact that it just might win you $250!! ;-p

    What about clutter rules? Do you have any in place in your home? We'd like to hear about them too you know. o:->

~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <
    Reminder: use the "link" in the side bar of our blog, to go back to the original posting which introduced this book and the connected drawings. Then, leave your "organization tip or short-cut" (comment) under that posting. That way it will be counted for our overall number, and they will be sure and find it to consider it in drawing #2. :-)  Thanks!!! ;->

     Brian and Cheryl B.  from,  The Bz House That Love Built