Declutter tips: Happiness guru Gretchen Rubin shares thoughts on why people accumulate so much. Advice on cleaning and organizing your life.

How to break the emotional bond and throw out your junk

If you're anything like me, you have a lot of stuff but you only really notice it when you move. This happened to me recently and, as I filled box after box, I was incredulous at the sheer volume of clothes, books and completely random knickknacks I own.

<p>The Editorial Team of Chatelaine magazine.</p>

happiness

Health

Turn everyday items such as egg cartons and spare buttons into clever storage options.

Seven space-saving solutions

spring cleaning

Living

Designate folders for reference, active and ongoing projects, outstanding bills, personal info and future to-dos. Label each one and stick them in a filing cabinet drawer. Recycle often; drawers should be three-quarters full at most.

Declutter tip: File! Don't pile

Just as those last dragging months of winter can get your spirits down, they can sometimes have the same affect on our homes. When the moment finally arrives to throw open the windows and let in the fresh air, we often look around and realize how stale our home environment has become.

Before you start to feel overwhelmed by spring cleaning, break your home down into rooms and tackle each area one at a time to make it more manageable. Soon enough you'll be enjoying the spring fresh feeling outdoors and in.

tips

Home Decor

If you're in the midst of spring cleaning, don't forget about clearing out your beauty bag, too

It's time for Spring cleaning but don't forget this one little drawer that is often overlooked. Now's the perfect time to go through your makeup drawer to throw away old makeup and clean brushes.

spring cleaning

How to break the emotional bond and throw out your junk

Seven space-saving solutions

Declutter tip: File! Don't pile

Spring cleaning: A household checklist

Spring clean your makeup bag: When to toss cosmetics