Dear FlyLady,

I have been a FlyBaby since Hurricane Katrina. I’ve mostly been fluttering with some success, but this year, I want to FLY!

My main hang-up was decluttering. When I see the areas of my home that need to be decluttered, I start to whine that I don’t have enough time, I don’t like to declutter, where do I start?, etc. You get the picture. But it’s something that needs to be done.

So this January, I decided to start all over again with BabySteps. (I think this is helpful for even the most advanced FlyBabies. It helps to remind us of how far we’ve come, and what we need to work on.) Then I got to the day where we have to declutter for 15 minutes. I didn’t want to do it, but I set my timer for 15 minutes and decluttered one shelf of my computer desk. Afterwards, I thought, “Hmm. That wasn’t so bad. I think I could do that again tomorrow and get another shelf decluttered.” After a few days, my desk looks amazing!

I was afraid that I would slip out of the routine, even though it’s a daily task in my Control Journal. So I decided to make a game of it. I went through the house and made a list of all the places that needed to be decluttered. I cut the list up into strips and put them in a basket. Everyday when it’s time to declutter, I pull one of the strips of paper out of the basket, and that’s my declutter mission for the day. This makes it fun, and it helps me know where to start which solves one of my dilemmas about decluttering.

Thank you, FlyLady, for your wisdom and your wit. Thank you for helping me get off my Franny and bless my home and family with a nice, clean house. You are a treasure!

FlyBaby Katrina
Gulfport, MS

P. S. I’ve enjoyed reading the books, Hidden Treasures and Sink Reflections. They have inspired me.

FlyLady Rebecca here: Do you have a Decluttering Testimonial? Let us know, and send an email with MY CLUTTER STORY in the subject line.

Don’t Crash and Burn

Tools you need to Make Your Home Shine!