The Great Clutter Battle

I can plan a tea for 60 ladies; manage the details of a weekend retreat; create tasty, gluten-free meals for my family.  But I find that the clutter of life buries me like an avalanche!  What to do to gain the upper hand?

I've gone on campaigns to conquer the clutter, but I wear out before I get going.

I've read The House that Cleans Itself, which offers practical and creative solutions to organizing your home, but my house refuses to cooperate.

I've adopted the motto "only handle it once" concerning papers.  When the mail comes, for example, look through it and decide where it goes on the spot -- to recycle, to the Pay pile, to the Respond pile, or to the Proper Person pile.  Great idea...

I've decide, "It's systems I need!" so I think though elaborate file systems, house cleaning schedules -- you know, stuff like that -- and promptly forget how the systems work!

Call me a glutton for punishment, but I'm going to give it another go.  I found this blog called Simple Mom and she's doing a decluttering series for the next five weeks called Project:Simplify.  Each Monday she'll reveal the area to work on for a week; I think I can do that.  This first week is attacking the wardrobe and getting it in shape.  What woman wouldn't want some encouragement to get her closet and drawers in order, and maybe even find a few favorite things she's forgotten all about!

Anyway, that's what I'll be doing for the next few weeks.  If I seem a bit grumpy on the blog during this time, don't be too alarmed.  By the end, my house may not have learned to clean itself, but at least it won't be swallowing up my paperwork!