Is your house a wreck and you don’t know where to start? Well, the Flylady recommends baby steps. Your home didn’t get in a mess overnight so it won’t be clean overnight. Work on one room for at least fifteen minutes (set a timer and cover up the clock).

Keep yourself hydrated, and take breaks during the process to keep your energy level up. Sometimes it helps to put on music: something fast paced and uplifting that can motivate you.

As you go through your things, remember that any item that doesn’t bring you joy should be tossed. There is no reason to keep a bunch of stuff you don’t love. Just because it was Aunt Jane’s favorite footstool doesn’t mean it’s your favorite, but it might make a stranger with tired feet happy. Have a box or bag handy for stuff to donate.

You can also set things aside for a yard sale if you want. If you recycle, great, but now is not the time to start a big recycling program that requires hours of sorting before stuff can get out the door.

To keep organized, follow the “touch it once” rule taught by Discover Organization. Clothes go on hangers, in drawers, or in the hamper (if you leave it on a chair or on the floor you’re just going to have to pick it up later). Dishes go in cabinets or in the sink or dishwasher. Deal with mail as it comes in and never have stacks of mail on the coffee table again!

When you’re finished, don’t forget to pamper yourself, even if it’s just with a bubble bath or a cup of gourmet coffee and a good book. Now, get up and go for it!