Keeping your home clean and free of clutter is a key component to healthy living.

Clutter builds up quickly; most people don't even realize that they're pack rats until they start going through closets and realize they have shoes they haven't worn in adecade or piles of newspapers dating back to 2000! If this is you, it's time to declutter your home.

Remember the adage "Clutter home, cluttered mind"? Rejuvenate your peace and well-bing by vowing to clear up the clutter. To decide whether something is worth keeping or not, go room by room, tidying each room completely before moving on. Establish zones or boxes for trash, recycling, charity, sentimental or monetarty value, and undecided items.

If an item is going into the sentimental box, ask yourself what you plan to do with it. Will you give it to your children or a friend? Is it really worth keeping? For example, do you think your child will want your fifth-grade report card?

If you think an item has monetary value, consider having it appraised. You may learn it has none, or you might decide to sell it for some extra green! For these items in the undecided box, give yourself a deadline. If you do nothing with the items by your next decluttering session( say, in three to six months), consder tossing or donating them to charity.

Remember, comming home to a clean and clutter-free space will leave you feeling calm and relxed.

Embrace the concept you'll be glad you did.

- Return to Off The Rack - Feb. 2009 -