There are only three things certain in life: death, taxes, and clutter. Clutter is kind of like rabbits … it never ceases to amaze how quickly it reproduces! Just because clutter is a fact of life doesn’t mean you can’t manage it. Here are some key do’s and don’ts of managing your clutter … and keeping your clutter from managing you!

DON’T try to declutter your entire apartment in one day. It takes time, and it takes consistency.

DO break up your decluttering sessions into smaller pieces. Work on one room at a time. You can even break the room down into smaller sections: the closet, the dresser, the bed, etc.

DON’T be clingy. Yes, you used to love that sweater/album/book/coffee maker, but if you haven’t used it in the past year … it’s time to let it go.

DO donate! Instead of just throwing away the things you no longer need, head on over to the local thrift shop and make your “trash” someone else’s treasure.

DON’T go overboard. We love those colorful decorative storage bins as much as anybody, but try to avoid heading to the store and investing in a ton of new storage items before you even know what you’ll be storing. That said …

DO make use of cabinets, bins, and boxes. You might have a hard time keeping all your magazines in order, but sticking them into a bin makes them look tidy instantly! The same goes for crafting supplies and knick-knacks that might not exactly have a “place” of their own.

DON’T stress yourself out. Trying to declutter your apartment can be stressful, especially if you get overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of STUFF surrounding you!

DO make it fun! Give yourself 15 minutes to clean one spot in your apartment. Have a reward planned if you get it done. Put on some upbeat music and do a little dance as you declutter. Cleaning may be a chore, but that doesn’t mean it also has to be a bore!