Tell the truth, just between us, do you answer “yes” to any of these statements?
• My closet has lots of clothes that I don’t wear.
• I don’t get rid of shoes — I love them too much.
• I like to keep all my old photographs and souvenirs of trips.
• My motto is: you never know when you might need this.
• I’m keeping books and hobby materials for when I have more time.
If you do any of these things, you’re in imminent danger of clutter overload.
Clutter overload is a sneaky enemy, creeping up on us little by little until we find ourselves surrounded and overwhelmed. The result is a clutter crisis, with closets so stuffed we can’t find what we really need, favourite earrings lost in a mass of things, ancient paperbacks crumbling into dust and basements or attics crammed with boxes of unknown contents.
It’s not a pretty picture.
Treasure or trash?
Everyone has treasures they want to hold on to. But the treasures of yesterday often become the trash of today. You loved that book when it first came out, but you know you won’t have time to read it again. And that bangle bracelet looked great with the pink floral dress, but you’re really more of a navy-and-white girl now.
With the rest of the world making a fresh, spring start, let go of some of that old and make room for the new. Decluttering is a tough job, but necessary. And the result is soooo satisfying — you’ll feel like a new you.
Take a tough stance
Begin by taking a tough look at yourself and your surroundings. When was the last time you went through the places you store food, clothes, books, hobbies? Have you been cramming stuff in bins, boxes and baskets just to get it out of the way?
Decluttering isn’t the same as organizing. You may have boxes and boxes of paints and brushes beautifully organized, but do you ever use them? If not, they’re clutter and it’s time for them to go.
Recognize that clutter is tiring, physically and mentally. Feng shui experts would say all that stuff blocks your “qi,” or life energy, from circulating in a healthy way.
Realize, also, that it’s OK to leave some interests or keepsakes behind. You’re not the same person you were years ago. Why hang on to plans or ideas that you’ve long outgrown?
The battle plan
Take a tip from the world of business. Think of decluttering as a job. Set an objective for yourself — for example, to get rid of all the shoes stacked in the back of the closet. Figure out how much time the job will need, and put it on your calendar, the same as a meeting.
Block out the areas that need attention, and make a date for each of them. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed by an unmanageable mass of work, and you’ll have a clear schedule to keep you in line.
Put together your declutter tool kit: big cardboard boxes, garbage bags, small plastic bags for costume jewellery and pairs of shoes, tape, sheets of paper, pen and dust cloths. Add a garment bag or two for treasures you’ll be keeping, giving to friends/family or selling.
Just do it
On D- (for “declutter”) Day, dress in comfy clothes. Tie your hair back (use a Rambo bandanna, if you like!). Put on your favourite vigorous music, whether classical or rock, and dig in.
Set out boxes labelled “give away,” “throw out,” “re-use” (e.g., for ratty towels demoted to pet use) and “keep.” If you have some true treasures to get rid of, add a “sell” box.
Pull out your clothing/books/jewellery/hobby stuff item-by-item and assign each to a box. If your “keep” box fills the fastest, re-think your standards.
You’re working hard, so don’t forget to break periodically for fluids and light snacks, to stretch or to sit and de-stress for a bit.
Closing the loop
Once you’ve tamed the clutter demon in one area, get rid of the bags and boxes as soon as possible. If you get regular calls from charities asking for donations of used goods, you can store the giveaways until the next call. Or scout out drop boxes at shopping centres or other locations. Books, magazines and hobbies are often welcomed by hospitals and seniors’ centres.
For any truly nice things, call a local consignment shop or second-hand dealer. Don’t expect to make big bucks — your objective is to get rid of these things, remember.
After all that hard work, reward yourself: Go out to dinner. Open a bottle of fine wine. Go see a movie. Indulge in a spa treatment. Just don’t bring home any new clutter to feed the demon!
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