The Get Organised Challenge: Week Four

Well done! You've made it to the final week of the challenge. Your clutter-crisis zones are tidy and you should have more time to enjoy the things you love. This week, Helen Foster explains how to maintain your simpler new life

Living the sorted life
So that's it, the official end of the Challenge. Congratulations for getting through it! Your house and your mind should now be feeling clearer and fresher. This week we're going to focus on how to maintain your new life. It's so easy to let the clutter sneak back in and for small tasks to start stealing your free time again. In general, it takes six weeks of doing something for our brain to accept it as part of normal life, so the next few weeks are vital to your success.

Action plan one: the clutter control rules
It's all very well getting organised, but now you need to stay that way. Most of the tips we've given over the last few weeks will help here - but you also need to think ahead.

Staying de-cluttered doesn't mean you will never shop again, but it does mean thinking about what you buy. Here are some tips to help you minimise the amount of clutter and complications you let into your house in the future.

Clothes
If you're one of those people who panic-buy on the day of an event, only to end up wearing one of your old faithful items, stop and think. Getting something ultra-fashionable is always tempting, but think hard about whether it suits you and if you're going to feel comfortable and confident wearing it. A good rule when buying new clothes is only to go for an item if it goes with at least two other things you already own. This way you know it will be versatile and that it fits in with your personal taste.

Kitchen clobber
Before you buy any exciting new gadgets, be honest with yourself - how often did you use that bread-maker or juicer you got for Christmas? If you do decide that you really need a pasta-maker, then make a real promise to use it every week - if you get bored after a month, give it away. Also, make it a rule to always head out with a list when food shopping and stick to it - if you buy more than you need, you'll only end up eating it just because it's there, or chucking it out when it starts to smell.

Magazines/newspapers
If there's a pile of magazines by the sofa, it's tempting to think that adding one more won't hurt. Buy a magazine/newspaper rack and make a rule that you clear this before you buy more - you'll reduce mess (and save cash).

Task Time
If you know that for 10 minutes before or after work each day you deal with post, bills, birthday cards and so on, and that everything you need is in your diary, it will become routine.

Fun Time
Is there something you've always wanted to do or learn? Why not use the extra time you've created to achieve one of your dreams? Learn to play the piano, take dance classes, sign up for a cookery course, or study for a new qualification. If you organise an evening class you'll be doing something just for you and, as it's booked in, it's far more difficult for anything or anyone else to encroach on this space you've made for your own personal development. Enjoy yourself.

Teach others
Explain to your family, colleagues or flatmates that you want them to help you maintain your fresh new life. This may be especially difficult if you have kids, but you could think of easy ways they can help - sit down with them and go through all their toys. They can decide which ones are 'essential' and keep those ones in a box in the bedroom. The things they don't use can be boxed up and stored (it might be too traumatic simply to chuck or give them away). Make it clear that their favourite toys must be 'put to bed' every night and once they are, your children will be rewarded with a bedtime story.

Reward yourself
Now, take a few minutes to appreciate how far you?ve come. Does your environment feel more relaxing? Is your mind feeling calmer? Treat yourself to dinner at your favourite restaurant, get a massage or some other pampering beauty treatment - you deserve it. Appreciate the spare time and space you have. Remember how good this feels and use that as an incentive to maintain your new life.

Share your success and stay motivated by talking to other iVillagers Getting Organised: