World Golf Village resident Michelle Petrarca, owner of “U Need Me” shared some much needed de-cluttering tips after the holidays. “My motto is to improve your space, create harmony, and discover what de-cluttering can do for you,” says Petrarca. 

Michelle has come to realize that the journey from chaos to order is a powerful, transformative and spiritual undertaking and that her job is to stand witness for this process. When people are finally ready to pick up the phone to contact her, they are ready to look deep into their lives and begin letting go of the items and commitments that no longer serve them and actually keep them from feeling the creativity and freedom they yearn for.

Michelle believes to start the process, you first need to ask yourself these questions:
Do you feel uncomfortable when uninvited guests visit?
Are closets, cabinets and drawers overflowing?
How many items are “homeless” in each room ?
Do you waste time looking for possessions?
Is clutter causing a stressful atmosphere in your home?

Here are some Tips for the New Year:
*Every three months, reserve one Saturday morning for a family cleanout. Set a timer for 30 minutes and have each person find things in his or her own space to donate or throw away. Box up the donations and drop them off right away, then reward yourselves with lunch out.
*Avoid zigzag organizing. Scattering your efforts over multiple rooms prevents you from seeing progress. For visible, dramatic results work one room at a time, one section at a time, completing each area before you move on to the next.
*When you’re trying to decide whether to keep something ask yourself three questions: Do I love it ? Do I use it? Could someone else use it?
*A system that’s a natural extension of your habits is easier to stick with than one that forces dramatic change, so set up solutions right where clutter collects (such as a labeled pail for each family member’s shoes and other equipment above  in a bookshelf right by the front door).
*Give frequently accessed papers ( take-out menus, sports schedules, phone directories) a dedicated spot, rather than in a pile on the counter or stuck to the fridge. Three-hole-punch all that paper and store it in a pretty binder with labeled tabs.
* Relegating a sentimental item you no longer have use for to a box in the closet, basement or attic does nothing to honor it. Instead, take a photo of the item and put it in a scrapbook or load it on a digital picture frame, then donate the item or pass it down to a family member who might want it.

BLESS & RELEASE…make this your year to get organized (finally)! These tips will help you shed all that unwanted stuff as quickly and painlessly as possible and find the right spots for everything else.

To contact Michelle email her at uneedme2org@yahoo.com.