Don’t we all have too much stuff? Some things are easier than others to get out of our homes. A checklist might help us to look around without too much effort and either donate or toss some of these items:

¯ Most expired foods, especially if you’ve seen signs of them being old. Not all expired food is bad to use, but put it in the front of your cupboards and use it now.

¯ All of those mixes and other foods you got sucked into buying and will never make.

¯ Those fancy pans you own that you will never use. You don’t even bake anymore!

¯ Vases you have collected over the years. Don’t you go to your favorites when you get flowers? There are local flower shops that will take your clean vases to reuse.

¯ Clothes that don’t fit. If you lose weight, you can reward yourself with new clothes.

¯ Things like socks that have holes. Yes, even if they are your favorites!

¯ All of those extras of everything and anything you haven’t worn in years. Keep only favorite PJs, for example.

¯ Uncomfortable shoes! Who wants to go out with hurting feet just to look good?

¯ Coats in our closets. How many do we really wear? Time to donate to a local charity that gives out winter coats.

¯ Hobbies you once did or were planning to take up that take up valuable shelf space and you’re tired of being reminded of them.

¯ Too much of anything — utensils, tools, dishes. How many of each do you need?

¯ Paper clutter — besides our tax information and receipts, we don’t need to save old bills and statements, for starters.

¯ All the cards your family and friends have given you, unless you really look at them occasionally.

¯ Books that are taking up space that you will never read again. Pass them on to people you know would enjoy them.

¯ Items like candles that you used to use or got for gifts.

¯ Items that bring back bad memories.

¯ Tchotchkes. I gathered a big box of these that I used to put out periodically but held no sentimental value. I thought my husband would be attached to some of these but he wasn’t either. Now I can easily see and use my favorite things.

You can add to this list as you look around your home. Just carry a box around each room and take out what you really don’t want anymore. Even the most organized can find things that are just hanging around collecting dust or shelf space.

I find when I am decluttering and organizing with people, I have moments when I think, “I need to go home and get rid of my own stuff like this.” I enjoy the results when I look at a storage area, closet, or drawer and it is all stuff I enjoy having or using.

Deal with the clutter and enjoy the results.

Doris Puls, of D & O Decluttering and Organizing, is a professional organizer whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of the people she works with in homes and businesses. Contact her at organizealpena@gmail.com or at 989-356-9545.