Do you need some declutter help, to guide you along the way? If you are aware of the following basic principles, as you go through your clearing process, then you will be more likely to succeed with your "decluttering" this time..

• Principal #1: Your external environment reflects the inner you.

You can either deny or you can accept this fact. When my home becomes overly cluttered, that is when I find myself unpleasant, hard to live with and just generally unhappy with life.

When, however, I get rid of the clutter, life seems so much brighter. I find that I am more tolerant, much more productive, as well as overall happier.

• Principle #2: Your Home Environment Supports What Is Currently Most Important To You

It's true! Walk into a "grandmothers" home and you will find the walls filled not only with photos of her children, but with dozens -- or more -- photos of her grandchildren as well. Her external environment reflects her pride of being a mom and grandmother.

Do not think for a moment that this "just happened." I am sure this woman consciously arranged her home to display her family photos.

A person who is passionate about gardening decorates and organizes her house to reflect this. It is almost an unconscious act for many of us. And so it should be with you. What are your passions? Your family? Golf? Tennis? Teaching? Organize and decorate your home to reflect this.

• Principle #3: Clear The Clutter One Area At A Time

If necessary, clear the clutter one small corner at a time. I looked around me one day and, sure enough, the clutter had begun growing. I did not realize that there were some clothes in the bedroom I had not put away. They had morphed into a large pile of clothes. I vowed then, that I would start to tackle the pile that had accumulated immediately. One thing at a time.

If you cannot stand to tackle a whole home, break it up into segments then . . . give yourself a deadline to accomplish the goal and then stick to it. You will be surprised, even in the beginning stages of the "declutter program", how much more organized and neat your rooms look . . . how much better you feel . . . and how much more satisfying your life really is.

• Principle #4: Do not Be Afraid To Institute The Infamous 12-Month Rule Of Decluttering

If you have not used it in the last 12 months, it is highly unlikely you are going to need it in the near future. Toss it! It is nothing but clutter!

Whoa! Slow down there! Do NOT throw those tax returns out! Important documents are the exception to this rule.

But I know there are a few of you who will whine that the moment you throw it away you will need it. Perhaps. But chances are slim to none. So toss it.

• Principle #5: Be Consistent But Do not Expect To Be Perfect

What? Me? Not perfect? Imagine that! Your home may never look like those in House Beautiful magazine. But you have done a good job of clearing it of some of the negative energy that had been hanging around.

And you know that this is not going to be the last time you have to do this. But until that next time gets here, you' will be living (relatively) clutter free -- and experiencing the awesome liberating effects of its energizing potential.