As much as we joke about it, living with clutter can be a serious problem that can significantly and adversely affect our lives. I have seen it in my own family’s life (when we were in the process of remodeling) and there have been many studies to prove that clutter can cause stress. I think that deep down most of us know this but for many of us it is so hard to get motivated to take care of the problem. Sometimes, we simply don’t know where to start.
Here is a simple list of four things that I hope will get you started in the right direction. For some of you, doing all four of these things at once may be too much at first so pick one (the one that bugs you the most) and do it every day for a couple of weeks. Once you have that one under control, then pick a second one. This should be easier because you will like the results completing of the first task so much you will want to try the second one. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It’s better not to try to do too much at first if it is very overwhelming.
I don’t care what happens in your day– Before you go to bed, make sure you do your one thing. Some of you may have to start with tiny baby steps. For example, I say “Pick things up off of the floor.” I mean pick up the floor in the whole house but you may have to clean just one or two rooms at first and work your way up. That’s ok. At least you are moving in the right direction and for some of you you are at least moving. 
1. Pick up anything on the floor.
2. Clear countertops, tables and flat surfaces
3. Wash dishes*
4. Wash the laundry. Follow through all the way from the hamper to putting it away in dressers or cabinets.
*One of the things I learned to do as a young bride to make washing dishes much easier was to fill my sink with hot soapy water and stack as many dirty dishes in the water as I could before I did anything else. Then, I quickly wiped down my counters and table. That way, if someone came to the house, it at least looked like I was working on washing the dishes and it made the room look neater.
Photo By: ShardsOfBlue – Roxanne Ready
Those are great ideas and really simple, too. I really liked your “washing dishes” story. I’m going to remember that tip
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
jill, i do that too . .have a pan of soapy water that i soak things in (esp the silverware) and i rinse out the glasses and soak in a bit of water in them too (until i am ready to wash them) ..
hubby couldnt get into the kitchen when we lived in the old house but here in the apt, he noticed that and asked me when i started to use a pan with water to soak things and i told him i have always done that, u just never noticed! ..
his grandmother and mother raised him to soak things too .. so did my mom and grandma .. its a good habit to get into esp if u dont have a regular dishwasher (the machine, hehee) ..
thanks for sharing ..
and yes, do something every day to cut down on the clutter .. we are still decluttering (even tho we have moved; if i cant find a home for it and if i havent used it in a long while and really dont need it, out it goes) ..
My Mom used to soak her dishes too but I really never paid attention while growing up. When i got married my husband got me in the habit and it is soooo much easier to soak & wash especially while cooking. Then after the meal–not many big pots/pans to clean.