by Linda Bittel Simplify: “To make easy, to clarify, make clear.”

As a Professional Organizer and a Holistic Health Student, the word “simplify” has a strong positive connotation for me. I am definitely a gal who enjoys living at a slower pace; I like things that are “made easy…that are clear.”

As we enter into the hottest months here in Central Texas, simplifying my daily routine sounds lovely. Summertime prompts me to relax and slow down, and enjoy some extra free time. I strive to lead a simpler life, and as a mom it seems much easier to do in the summer.

So how do we go about living more “easily?” For me, it all starts with clearing out the clutter, both mentally and physically. Summertime is a great time to start the process.

To clear out mental clutter, use journaling as a tool to organize your thoughts and provide clarity. Putting your worries down on paper seems to lessen them while opening up the mind and allowing you to relax and feel more focused.

To clear out physical clutter, begin by writing a list of all those tasks you want to tackle. Don’t get overwhelmed by how long your list is; this is just a first step.

Set aside some time each day for de-cluttering. A timer is a great tool: set it for 1 hour, or any uninterrupted chunk of time you can devote to this process. Start with the area of your home or office that causes you the most stress. Do a little bit each day, and you’ll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

If you are a mom, do get the kids involved! Put on some fun music, set the timer (kids seem to love the race against time), and make it a game. I saw a great idea on Pinterest where a mom writes household chores on ping pong balls and displays them in a decorative bowl. Each family member chooses a cleaning or organizing assignment. It makes cleaning more fun, and you’ll be teaching your kids valuable lifelong skills.

If you need some motivation to get started, there are many wonderful books, websites and blogs on the subject of organizing. A great resource is www.FlyLady.net, which contains a wealth of cleaning and organizational tips and resources. I also highly recommend the book “Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life,” by Gail Blanke. It’s very motivating and an enjoyable read for summer.

Have these tips have inspired you to clear out your clutter?  In the comments, let us know what area of your house you're going to de-clutter and when you're going to do it!  Then post a photo of your fresh clean space on our Facebook page.  We'll pick a winner on Thursday, July 12th and hook you up with a Gail Blanke's "Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life" so you can clear out your clutter and really start to live an amazing, simple life!

Linda is a student at The Yoga Room and a Professional Organizer & Health Coach In-Training. She can be reached at Linda@aSpace4Wellness.com or at A Space 4 Wellness on Facebook.