Decluttering your home can be hard work, especially if you are always on the go, working constantly, or have kids under your feet. This article will address 10 simple things you can do to help you declutter your home and life.

Go Through your House with a Garbage Bag

Do an initial declutter by going through your house throwing away old newspapers, soda cans, old papers and any other miscellaneous trash. Also dispose of anything that has no value to anyone else residing in the house. This initial cleanup could get rid of clutter in a major amount of space.

Throw out, Donate or Sell Unused items

Go through unused items and weed them out. Still have that textbook from 10 years ago? Why not try selling it online? Don't hold on to things that you will never use again. Look through your closet and get rid of anything that you haven't worn in the last year. If you still have a surplus of clutter after going through everything, you may need to look through your sentimental items and see if there is anything you should give up.

Designate a Place for Important Paperwork

Wondering how to organize all that paperwork? Collect and store important legal documents or warranties in a safe place. When receiving additional documents waste no time in putting them in the designated place to avoid losing them for in the future.

Don't Save Coupons or Newspaper Clippings

If you do clip coupons, make sure to throw them out as soon as they are expired, clearing out your wallet or purse. Save special newspaper clippings with important documents but do not overload on them and do not keep them around the house.

Make Your Bed

When you wake up and get out of bed don't just leave your room, make your bed first. If you start the day out organizing things in your house you are more apt to continue with the organizing. Once the bed is made, you might be inspired to pick the clothes up off the floor and place them in the hamper. Start off with something small and it may make all the difference in the world.

Set Aside Decluttering Time

Set a specific day (or days) and time to do laundry. Gather everything up and sort it. Plan out something else you can do as the laundry is washing and drying. Fold and put the clothes away immediately, keeping the clutter out of you hamper or closet.

Do dishes after every meal and do a spot check through the kitchen. Doing small chores every day helps prevent clutter from building up.

Make Clear To-Do Lists With Deadlines

Make specific to do lists. Instead of writing "declutter the house" at the top of your list, write out different steps you will take in order to declutter the house and when you would like each step completed. Decluttering can be overwhelming and cutting the work down to more manageable tasks will help you stay focused on what needs to be done.

Put Things Away

Make sure everything has a place and make sure to put things back into its place after use. Even if you are in a rush, taking a few extra steps and clearing the clutter will help prevent an overflow of misplaced items.

Stay Active

When working on a large decluttering project and you need a break, stay active by going on a walk to prevent you from sitting down and quitting. The walk will clear your head from the clutter and you will come back rejuvenated to keep up the work.

Decluttering takes time. Focus on making small goals and up keeping the work you have already completed. In time the job will get done.