The holidays are upon us! I hope everyone is able to relax a bit and enjoy some time with loved ones. Since many of you will be entertaining over the next month or so, I’ve decided to include a few posts about organization and keeping the home in order. As organization is something I believe I have developed a true appreciation for over the years, I will be sharing a series of suggestions and ideas in this and future posts. I hope you will find my suggestions helpful. Happy Holidays!
Others frequently tell Dave and I that our house is always “SOOO clean!” While I certainly appreciate the compliment, I also don’t want to give the impression that I’m constantly walking around with the vacuum and duster! I think that, quite possibly, our home gives others the illusion that we clean much more than we actually do. Yes, I like things to technically be clean and do make sure to give my home adequate cleanings on a routine basis, but it’s also my very humble opinion that a clutter-free home will always appear much cleaner than one constantly filled with stuff. Quite simply put, if one makes an effort to tidy up their own messes and always have a place for new items brought into the home, things will just naturally fall into a tidy state. Don’t get me wrong – we have those days when it would be a complete and utter embarrassment to have anyone step into our home (those are usually the days the neighbor or a friend makes an impromptu stop by to say hello!), but those days are few and far between since we’ve begun to implement our “no clutter allowed” policy.
Now, the task of decluttering may be easier said than done depending on the sheer volume of stuff that has been acquired. It is also understood that those with children may have even further challenges when dealing with clutter, but the idea in the beginning is to have an attainable goal and take it step by step instead of becoming overwhelmed. Dave and I consciously made the effort to begin decluttering when we moved into our 920 square foot condo two years ago. Some friends and family members questioned our decision to downgrade: “Where will you put everything??”, causing us to wonder, “Why do we need so much stuff in the first place?”. We then began the process of decluttering, which is ongoing and trying at times, but quite freeing and a wonderful exercise in self-control and letting go. Along with the minimal closet space in our condo, we also have a very small storage unit which houses mostly seasonal items, sporting goods, and some of Dave’s woodworking supplies (we do not have a garage). Our condo is a highly functioning space and contains only a coat closet and a small alcove in which we recently installed a custom master closet. Other than that we have had to make our own storage space within the home. This is all we have but, to us, it still seems like too much and we are constantly pairing things down to the bare minimum. We both feel much lighter and I must say I don’t miss anything I’ve gotten rid of.
Some of you may be thinking that since you have a large home then decluttering is not necessary as long as you have the space to house things. I must argue that everyone can benefit from this process, whether you are a hoarder or a minimalist. The idea is to start thinking in terms of quality rather than quantity, not a new concept by any means, but it is one that many of us don’t take to heart. Try embracing this concept in every aspect of life: relationships, food, clothing, house wares, furniture, entertainment, travel, etc. Not only will you be freed from the idea to “keep up with the Joneses”, but you will also begin to learn what it is you truly love and wish to include in your life. Give it a shot, trust me on this one!
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1) Keep baskets on hand to store stray items. Sometimes we don’t have time to file or shred or store items right away. Having a few nice baskets around can help with this problem. This will keep clutter contained and out of eyesight when guests come over or will help if you’d simply like your place to look a little more polished. But don’t forget to clean out and organize frequently!
2) Constantly review the items in your wardrobe, kitchen, garage, etc. Do you have duplicate items because you think you may need the extra someday? Chances are, these items are unnecessarily taking up space and perhaps even causing stress if they are creating clutter. If this is you, check out #3.
3) Donate! While there are many ways to get rid of unwanted items – garage sales, EBay, gifting to friends or family – I have found that often times a trip to Goodwill is the best way to go. Especially if the items are not of significant value but still functional, then it may be best to donate instead of letting the items further collect dust while you figure out how to get rid of them.
4) One in, one out. Simply speaking, if you buy something new, be sure it is either necessary or will replace a current item. This is a particularly helpful rule to follow when shopping sales. If a replacement item is purchased, be sure to immediately discard, donate, or recycle the old item.
5) Remember, “stuff” is not your whole identity, but should be a reflection of who you are. You are you regardless of how many shoes you have or the great deal you got on all that stuff that sits in the closet unused. When you think in terms of your belongings being a reflection of yourself, it becomes much easier to eliminate the stuff that’s just taking up space.
Good luck!
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