Spring is in full swing in Flagstaff, and with summer just around the corner, many people are finding it the perfect time to take charge of organization. Fortunately, organizing and decluttering your life doesn’t have to be complicated.

Just follow these simple steps to get the job done.

1. Create Three Piles

The first pile is for trash and recycling. The second pile is for items to donate or give away. The third pile is for things to keep or to find a place for. These piles should be placed in boxes or bags. For example, use a large garbage bag for trash (and another for recycling) and a big cardboard box for items you'd like to donate or give away.

2. Work on One Room for One Day

Next, it’s time to start going through your possessions. Start in one room, and don’t try to do more than that in a day. You have your piles; now work your way through the room and divide things up.

3. Be Ruthless! (And Use the Six Months Rule)

Your first tendency may be to throw nearly everything in your pile of things to keep. Avoid this urge! Think long and hard about items that you put into this pile, and avoid it when you can.

If it’s an object you use often, by all means, keep it! But if it’s not really a part of your daily or weekly life, give the object a test by using the six months rule. The rule goes like this: Have you used it in the last six months? If the answer is no, then give it away or donate it if you can. If it’s beyond repair, go ahead and recycle or trash it.

4. Go Through All the Rooms in Your Apartment

Finally, go through your apartment (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, etc.) using this system. Do just one room a day. Once you’re finished, make sure you throw out the trash, dispose of the items to be recycled, and donate or give away the things you don’t want. Your last step should be to find a permanent place for all the things you’ve decided to keep.

Your apartment is your home and your sanctuary. Keep it neat and organized.

Still looking for an apartment in Flagstaff? Give us a call to see which of our Flagstaff apartments are still available!

The post Declutter Your Life in 4 Simple Steps appeared first on Country Club Terrace Apartments Blog.

From time to time, we all get determined to have less “stuff.” When taking a good long look at our accumulation, that once convenient closet may be as overwhelmed as you feel. Here are some closet decluttering ideas for our Country Club Terrace community residents in Flagstaff, Arizona, to consider.

Swap Dress-Up For Clean-Up

Old costumes tend to take up more space than their actual usefulness. If you think about how many you really need, maybe 2-3 total throughout the year and that includes Halloween. Unless you are a cosplay aficionado, nix the dress-up wardrobe down to a single box and let that closet breathe a little freer.

Always A Bridesmaid, Never Enough Closet Space

Supporting a dear friend or relative by being their bridesmaid is a wonderful act of kindness. And, those dresses can be expensive too! Unfortunately, the often-bright colors and wedding-themed styles aren’t very practical. It’s also unlikely you will wear that outfit for another wedding. Try a second-hand shop and perhaps make a few bucks or just donate it to charity and write it off as a tax deduction. Cash-in on your closet space!

Re-Gift And Just Breathe

When friends and family members give you something you really dislike, well, that’s the gift that keeps on giving. Why? Because you feel like you can’t get rid of it without offending them and it’s taking up valuable closet space. In reality, after a year or two, few people remember the casual gift they gave you. If it makes practical sense in someone else’s life, re-gift and enjoy a sigh of relief. Your anxiety can fade, and your closet space will breathe easier.

The Hobby Isn’t Happening

Many people try out new things and accumulate gear to go with it. If you tried skiing, you may have skis, poles and other accessories piled in your closet. Hiking and camping requires sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, maybe even a portable gas grill. If some of these cool ideas didn’t have the real-life appeal you thought, pass on these items to those that embrace them and just keep the stuff you really use. It’s all about being pragmatic at the end of the day.

We hope these streamlining suggestions help our Country Club Terrace community members improve your closet space. If you or a friend would like more information about our Flagstaff apartments, call us today.

The post Time To Reduce Closet Clutter And Just Breathe appeared first on Country Club Terrace Apartments Blog.