A couple years ago, I started doing a major clutter clear, going through everything I owned and ultimately filling two carloads for goodwill, as well as a huge recycling barrel completely and then some with shredded documents and various papers I scanned and then trashed.  It felt great. I did it a couple times when I lived in Boston, and it really made a positive difference to my mental state.  I tend to be a hoarder, saving everything, but in the last few years I'm finding it harder to allow clutter in my life.

So I'm starting up that clutter clearing again, but focusing more on organizing everything better, and replacing lower quality items with better quality.  It's a resolution of sorts, but more a means of taking control, putting things in order, and being more positive in general.  Although it can be hard if you've never done it.

I've been paying off my debts, and most will be paid by February.  This is a part of clutter clear, because it means fewer statements and bills to pay, and less worry about finances. I'd started this two years ago, and then got caught up in a RIF; if only it'd happened two months later, 2007 would have been a much easier year.

But it also means physical clearing. I've shredded a bunch of old statements from long paid off bills, but retaining the last statement for each to scan, just for posterity (and retentiveness).  All of last year's statements that aren't already paperless are getting scanned as well.  With only a few exceptions, everything prior to 2000 paper wise have been scanned, shredded, and trashed.  It means a lot more room in the closets and the files. 

All this I've done before, but I'm going further with it.  I'm getting some containers to store items that I want or need handy, but don't need to see every day.  I like the fact that this can be decorative and not just practical.  It's probably easy to tell that I appreciate multi-functional things in my life.  It means less stuff, too, which is environmentally responsible.

I'm also planning on getting new furniture, since my couch is more urban nomad than I'd prefer.  But my living room space, while not that small, is awkward enough in shape to make it hard to place furniture.  I'm planning on buying a new love seat and a couple of chairs later this year, which will allow for a lot more light and a more open feeling.  I have, however, bought a nifty storage ottoman. It's actually comfortable to sit on, great for resting feet, or trays, and all that makes it very practical.  Plus it looks nice. 

But before the big stuff, clean up the little stuff.