I have a confession to make: I am a borderline hoarder.It’s a hard pill to swallow as I’ve always considered myself easily detached from materialistic items, clothes, shoes and the like.But then it hit me a few weeks back when I looked around my reasonably large bedroom and realised it had become just one big closet of sorts.Okay, so my living situation is nothing like those people you find on television shows who live with their 20 cats and enough odd little figurines to fill a museum.I’m also unlikely to shed any tears or come to blows with anyone when I have to see some of those items thrown out or given away.Still I can’t hide the fact that my time for decluttering has certainly come.There’s no better time than with the coming of the New Year to organise and simplify your life.The hardest part is often knowing where to start, which is why the Lifestyle section has scoured the internet to find some useful tips to accomplish the task.n When it comes to your closets at home, the general rule is to throw out anything you haven’t worn in the past year.Perhaps a better test is to toss any clothes that don’t fit properly or make you feel good about yourself.Make sure to donate any unflattering or out-of-date clothes to thrift stores or consignment shops in your area.One of my favourites is the Orange Bay Company on Mill Creek Road in Pembroke. One way to prevent your closet from getting out of hand is to practice restraint while shopping.Go into stores with a clear idea of what you are looking for and avoid the urge to shop on impulse.The added bonus is if you buy less, you bank account will also be in a good place in 2013.n There’s really no need to have five potato peelers or six rolling pins in your house.To help simplify your kitchen start by separating the things you need from the things you want (but never use).If you are not sure what should stay, Canadian Living Magazine recommends that you transfer all your kitchen supplies into a box.Then when you use one put it back into a drawer or onto a shelf.Those still remaining in the box after three months can be given away. Note there are a few exceptions including seasonal items like a turkey baster or barbecue tongs.n You might be surprised by how much old, unused and expired products you’ve stored up when you tackle the bathroom drawers.Drawers happen to be a prime place for things to get shoved into, so start by emptying each one out (perhaps one by one, so the task doesn’t end up looking too daunting).Have a trash bag handy and toss anything that has already expired. Ladies should note: make-up items also expire.As a rule of thumb many items like lip liners, eyeshadows and eyeliner are safe to use for up to three years, but when it comes to mascara, get rid of anything older than three or four months.If you have any unopened products think about giving them away to someone more likely to use it.n Decluttering your desk is essential to becoming more productive and focused at work — experts say.The first step is to clear off everything on top of your desk and inside the drawers.Organise everything in piles on the floor, making sure to trash anything that is no longer useful.Once clear, clean and wipe your desk. Your space is probably starting to look bigger already.Designate a spot for everything you decide to keep, whether it be important documents or office supplies, and make sure that it returns there after you use it.The best way to avoid the work things from piling up again is to sort through papers as they come in and make a resolution not to keep them on top of your desk.n Outside of home and work, why not look into decluttering your life by reducing some of your commitments.Our life can be so filled with things we need to do at home, work and school, it becomes stressful or boring, uneventful or routine.Try and mix things up this year by taking a look at each area of your life and writing down all your commitments.Seeing it in print can be quite insightful and maybe even overwhelming. Look at each commitment and determine whether it is really bringing you joy or value and if it’s worth the amount of time you give it each week.Another way to cut down on your commitments is to list them by priority and start getting rid of one or two at the bottom of the list.To prevent your schedule from getting overloaded again this year, try and say no and decline offers that don’t bring your life joy or value.