Many of us love stuff. We like to get new clothes, new books, new make-up, and hats. We love having options of what to wear or read, so we pile up the quantities until we realize that we may have created quite a mess and a monster. There is no longer space to put all of our belongings, and even if there is a tiny bit of room, we cannot organize how we want. Clutter can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few ways you can de-clutter your life both of the physical variety as well as the mental capacity.

1. Organize and Donate

As much as we are in denial about it... we are most likely not ever going to wear that sweater from 2011 again. Yes, it is super cute and yes you wore it on your third date with your high school boyfriend, but to be honest you have not worn it since. Go through your closet and organize what you still use and what hasn't seen the light of day since junior high. Take those items you don't wear anymore and donate them to local salvation armies or consignment shops. It will give you the peace of mind of a clean closet and be helping someone else out along the way.

2. Create a Calendar and Schedule

Clutter is not only physical. Our mind becomes cluttered with all of the activities, events and assignments we have to tackle throughout the year. Instead of missing appointments, forgetting to do an assignment, or neglecting responsibilities because you feel as if you do not have the time, get yourself a planner. Write down any and all important dates. Create lists of everything that needs to be accomplished and give yourself time tables. By writing it all down, you have a visual picture of all that needs to be done, which creates great reminders and peace of the mind.

3. Stay De-Cluttered

Once you have done the cleaning, the writing, and the donating, take measures to keep your life de-cluttered. Get organizers to keep your clothes in the right spaces. When you buy something new, see if you can get rid of something old. Less is more, and it is up to you to keep life that way!

Life is stressful without the added headache of messy rooms, closets, and appointments. By taking the time to get rid of the items we do not need and creating organizational techniques, we are able to spend more time on the things that make us happy rather than the events that stress us out.