‘Tis the season for making room for more stuff. It’s that time of year where the home improvement stores have bins and boxes front and center to meet the consumer demands of the post-Christmas de-clutter frenzy. We are certainly in this mode in our home and the struggle is real. Whether you are taking the operational lead at your house or you are the designated bin buyer or box hauler, here are a few tips that will help not just today but a year from now.  What you do with some of the stuff today will impact whether or not you find yourself rummaging through the same stuff next year. 

1. Sort before you shop. Rather than go and blindly purchase bins not knowing  how many and what size, go ahead and sort the items you want to keep stored or the items you are organizing in a room, attic or garage. Buying bins first leads to overspending, guessing on the sizes you really need and procrastinating the task ahead. Sort first, see what you need, make a list and buy only what you need. When you get back home, you will be done in no time. 
2. Keep. Give. Sell. Toss. These 4 simple words will help you find a place for every item in the area you are cleaning out or organizing to land. Be disciplined to make sure everything goes in one of these stacks or piles. If you think you MIGHT use something or you are TRYING to come up with a use for it, it’s probably best to say goodbye! Get in the habit of using these simple sorting words throughout the year and you will have less stuff to deal with next time. 
3. It’s OK to throw away. Many products today are made to be more disposable than those in years gone by. You have probably discovered that buying a new one is often a better route than repair. Fill the trash bags, throw things away and add to your sense of accomplishment. You should only hang on to those things that truly make you smile. Yes, throwing things away adds to the waste already in the environment, but this exercise keeps you from buying things you do not really need in the days to come. 

These tips apply no matter how much stuff or storage space you have and will help you de-clutter your home and de-clutter your life. Just get started…

Cheers to starting something new! This blog project is a concept that has been in the making for some time now. Why The Porch & Pier you ask? Here are some answers…

As a writer, I have a love for sharing thoughts and having conversation in hope that something I say might meet someone where they are, help them through a tough moment, encourage someone to take a next step, bring about an idea to run with, provide inspiration or assure someone they are more normal than they thought they were! 

As a Real Estate Agent and New Home Specialist, I have a love for sharing ideas and helping others with one of their greatest earthly assets – home.

As a husband and father, I have a love for my family and being the best that I can as a leader in both of those roles. Being a Dad is one of my life’s greatest blessings and making fun memories with my 2 kids is huge to me!

Nature and home are spaces of inspiration and reflection and two specific places, the porch and the pier are some of my favorite spots to pause, worship, reflect, be creative, refuel, brainstorm, think, pray and catch a breath.  In the days ahead, I look forward to sharing ideas and insight related to life, home and outdoor living! We have some great perspective, tips and a cool series coming your way. Thanks for joining me for real life at The Porch & Pier.