I love decorating ― artistically designing a space ― making
it beautiful for the person living there. However, I hadn’t redone it in my own
home for years. In early adulthood, I chose the theme of lighthouses to remind
me of what is real beyond where the ocean kisses the shore. As the title of
this blog suggests, the beach is a powerful place for me. But as years went by,
souvenirs from Africa started creeping into my
living room, taking over, and I needed a change of scenery.
it beautiful for the person living there. However, I hadn’t redone it in my own
home for years. In early adulthood, I chose the theme of lighthouses to remind
me of what is real beyond where the ocean kisses the shore. As the title of
this blog suggests, the beach is a powerful place for me. But as years went by,
souvenirs from Africa started creeping into my
living room, taking over, and I needed a change of scenery.
Around this time, I developed a renewed interest in material
simplicity and started taking trips to the library in pursuit of books about this
topic. My favorite book on cleaning things out and most importantly, why we
should and what affect all that stuff has on us is Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. You can find it on Amazon or at your
local library. I HIGHLY recommend it.
simplicity and started taking trips to the library in pursuit of books about this
topic. My favorite book on cleaning things out and most importantly, why we
should and what affect all that stuff has on us is Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. You can find it on Amazon or at your
local library. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Though getting rid of even unwanted items can be hard, I
love how I feel afterward. In years past, I have written several times about
the process of reducing what I own but this never really changed what my space looked like. But last year, I
conducted a major cleanout, going through everything in my apartment getting
rid of piles and piles of unwanted items. This seriously reduced what I had around
me and I learned some things from this process I want to share with you in hope
you might find it helpful in your own life.
love how I feel afterward. In years past, I have written several times about
the process of reducing what I own but this never really changed what my space looked like. But last year, I
conducted a major cleanout, going through everything in my apartment getting
rid of piles and piles of unwanted items. This seriously reduced what I had around
me and I learned some things from this process I want to share with you in hope
you might find it helpful in your own life.
I believe the more stuff we have around us, the more
stressed out we are. With cupboards and drawers filled, items piled up on the
floor and tables, it can be difficult to find things. As we look, we are
reminded of all the things we haven’t attended to that need to be done and
these are each little weights laying on our subconscious. We put them off
because we feel overwhelmed with everything needing to be done right away. For
example, behind my favorite chair in a convenient hidden corner is a quilt I
need to send to the quilter and my camera that needs its sensor cleaned. They
are things needing to be done that I am reminded of every time I have cause to
look back there. What I need to do is just deal with them and get that weight
of “I should do these things” off my mind.
stressed out we are. With cupboards and drawers filled, items piled up on the
floor and tables, it can be difficult to find things. As we look, we are
reminded of all the things we haven’t attended to that need to be done and
these are each little weights laying on our subconscious. We put them off
because we feel overwhelmed with everything needing to be done right away. For
example, behind my favorite chair in a convenient hidden corner is a quilt I
need to send to the quilter and my camera that needs its sensor cleaned. They
are things needing to be done that I am reminded of every time I have cause to
look back there. What I need to do is just deal with them and get that weight
of “I should do these things” off my mind.
How many times have you looked for something and been unable
to find it? Perhaps it is in that pile of papers you haven’t sorted in months
or in the bottom of the closet and you don’t even remember the last time you
cleaned that out. But what if all those papers were sorted and filed? What if
you knew exactly what was on the bottom of your closet? Wouldn’t that be less
stressful? With those tantalizing rewards, I decided to sort through, get rid
of, and basically redesign my space to fit who I am now, not who I was years
ago. It’s hard to live in a space that no longer expresses who you are inside.
to find it? Perhaps it is in that pile of papers you haven’t sorted in months
or in the bottom of the closet and you don’t even remember the last time you
cleaned that out. But what if all those papers were sorted and filed? What if
you knew exactly what was on the bottom of your closet? Wouldn’t that be less
stressful? With those tantalizing rewards, I decided to sort through, get rid
of, and basically redesign my space to fit who I am now, not who I was years
ago. It’s hard to live in a space that no longer expresses who you are inside.
Cleaning Out
The first step was sorting through everything I had. Some
areas were easier than others but I worked through the house asking myself if I
really needed this item or if I had too many. If I did have too many of one
thing, I gave the extra away. What I have found over the years is getting rid
of things comes in layers. An object I was not okay discarding the last time I
went through that drawer, I am now ready to release. It helped that a friend
was moving into her own apartment after having a roommate and needed household
items and some furniture. Another friend keeps a library for the international
students of the seminary we both attended so I gave several seminary books to
him. It was a fun adventure finding places where things were wanted and would be
used. By the time I was done, I had discarded a lot of dishes, food I wasn’t
going to use, four pieces of furniture, gads of books, a bunch of clothes, and
numerous other items. Seeing all that stuff leave through the front door never
to return felt wonderful.
areas were easier than others but I worked through the house asking myself if I
really needed this item or if I had too many. If I did have too many of one
thing, I gave the extra away. What I have found over the years is getting rid
of things comes in layers. An object I was not okay discarding the last time I
went through that drawer, I am now ready to release. It helped that a friend
was moving into her own apartment after having a roommate and needed household
items and some furniture. Another friend keeps a library for the international
students of the seminary we both attended so I gave several seminary books to
him. It was a fun adventure finding places where things were wanted and would be
used. By the time I was done, I had discarded a lot of dishes, food I wasn’t
going to use, four pieces of furniture, gads of books, a bunch of clothes, and
numerous other items. Seeing all that stuff leave through the front door never
to return felt wonderful.
Re-Placing
One of the things Karen Kingston talks about in Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui is
what kind of influences our items have on us. The dishes I had been using was a
set I bought just after college at a garage sale for five dollars. They had
been the couple’s wedding gift but years and years later, were cracked,
chipped, discolored, and there were far too many for one person. Having so
many, this also meant I didn’t have to wash dishes as often, a continual
struggle when I have no dishwasher but my own two hands. Though there is
nothing wrong with having such dishes, what I heard when I looked at them was
that I deserved no better. I was trying to make do but as a person in my 30s, I
could afford better and it was time to find a set that fit me, a design of my
own choosing. I shopped around and found a white and light green set that could
serve four. With so few, the load felt lightened and I felt better about having
something I loved that I could use everyday not to mention I now wash dishes on
a regular basis. I also tossed nearly all my plastic containers and bought a
new set of four covered glass bowls. Some of the cooking utensils too, were put
in the discard box and with gift cards from Christmas, I went to the stores and
replaced them with ones of higher quality that will last. I didn’t replace
everything I wanted to, that will come in bits and pieces as I can afford it
but I did replace the most important items.
what kind of influences our items have on us. The dishes I had been using was a
set I bought just after college at a garage sale for five dollars. They had
been the couple’s wedding gift but years and years later, were cracked,
chipped, discolored, and there were far too many for one person. Having so
many, this also meant I didn’t have to wash dishes as often, a continual
struggle when I have no dishwasher but my own two hands. Though there is
nothing wrong with having such dishes, what I heard when I looked at them was
that I deserved no better. I was trying to make do but as a person in my 30s, I
could afford better and it was time to find a set that fit me, a design of my
own choosing. I shopped around and found a white and light green set that could
serve four. With so few, the load felt lightened and I felt better about having
something I loved that I could use everyday not to mention I now wash dishes on
a regular basis. I also tossed nearly all my plastic containers and bought a
new set of four covered glass bowls. Some of the cooking utensils too, were put
in the discard box and with gift cards from Christmas, I went to the stores and
replaced them with ones of higher quality that will last. I didn’t replace
everything I wanted to, that will come in bits and pieces as I can afford it
but I did replace the most important items.
Most of my furniture is second-hand, either bought used or
given to me by old roommates when they moved out. I have bought a few smaller
items new but these are few and far between. This has actually been a great way
to furnish my home at little to no cost but as we get older, we can afford to
replace items that don’t fit who we are or the look we’re going for. The desk I
was using fit smack in the middle of this category. My mom’s friend had bought
this small, particle board desk for her son when we were kids and when they
were done with it, I inherited the desk. It was only moderately functional but
that was about it. Over the years, it was also getting worn down and I didn’t
like it. I wanted something I loved that fit me, that made me feel good when I
looked at it. On top of all that, I am a writer and a writer without a desk he
or she loves to be at is just plain sad. So I took the advice of the Karen
Kingston and gave the desk away to someone who could use it and left the space
open for a new desk to come into my life. I shopped around online but my new
desk came to me in an unexpected way. I was visiting a friend’s new place of
work on Easter Sunday, a store of old furniture and household items right
before their grand opening. While exploring, I saw it. The desk intrigued me.
It was a secretary’s desk made of rich mahogany, a type of desk I hadn’t even
considered. It had three large drawers and the top fliped down to expose the
desk with all its little shelves inside. It only took me a day to think it over
and call Gil to tell him I wanted it. It is a place where I love to sit and
work on various projects and though I keep it very neat, being able to close up
the desk and not have all that stuff exposed to the room gives the space a much
cleaner feel. I am sure that will be a beloved piece of furniture for years to
come.
given to me by old roommates when they moved out. I have bought a few smaller
items new but these are few and far between. This has actually been a great way
to furnish my home at little to no cost but as we get older, we can afford to
replace items that don’t fit who we are or the look we’re going for. The desk I
was using fit smack in the middle of this category. My mom’s friend had bought
this small, particle board desk for her son when we were kids and when they
were done with it, I inherited the desk. It was only moderately functional but
that was about it. Over the years, it was also getting worn down and I didn’t
like it. I wanted something I loved that fit me, that made me feel good when I
looked at it. On top of all that, I am a writer and a writer without a desk he
or she loves to be at is just plain sad. So I took the advice of the Karen
Kingston and gave the desk away to someone who could use it and left the space
open for a new desk to come into my life. I shopped around online but my new
desk came to me in an unexpected way. I was visiting a friend’s new place of
work on Easter Sunday, a store of old furniture and household items right
before their grand opening. While exploring, I saw it. The desk intrigued me.
It was a secretary’s desk made of rich mahogany, a type of desk I hadn’t even
considered. It had three large drawers and the top fliped down to expose the
desk with all its little shelves inside. It only took me a day to think it over
and call Gil to tell him I wanted it. It is a place where I love to sit and
work on various projects and though I keep it very neat, being able to close up
the desk and not have all that stuff exposed to the room gives the space a much
cleaner feel. I am sure that will be a beloved piece of furniture for years to
come.
Re-Arranging
Once I gave away the furniture I didn’t want, I rearranged
the rooms. Without the extra stuff, my space now has room to breath, to let the
energy flow around the area. Having taken out two bookshelves in the living
room (along with all the stuff on them that wasn’t placed in the desk drawers),
I moved the couch down and put the keyboard near the desk so I can store the
chair under the keyboard when the desk is not in use. The wooden two drawer
file went into the corner along with a small lamp. My problem now was there was
nowhere to set a hot drink while sitting in my favorite chair. That was solved
when I took a look at some things a friend was selling which included a small,
dark wood table with a little shelf and drawer. I love places I can store
things so they’re out of sight. The drawer holds some little booklets and
pencils and pens. I placed a basket from Kenya on the shelf for library
books and on top is another basket with a lid where I stored my manuscripts for
the latest book while I worked on them. At a bazaar this last fall, I found a
stone coaster on which to place a cup. On top of the desk is another small
basket where I store important papers I’m working with and my keys and cell
phone so I can always find them.
the rooms. Without the extra stuff, my space now has room to breath, to let the
energy flow around the area. Having taken out two bookshelves in the living
room (along with all the stuff on them that wasn’t placed in the desk drawers),
I moved the couch down and put the keyboard near the desk so I can store the
chair under the keyboard when the desk is not in use. The wooden two drawer
file went into the corner along with a small lamp. My problem now was there was
nowhere to set a hot drink while sitting in my favorite chair. That was solved
when I took a look at some things a friend was selling which included a small,
dark wood table with a little shelf and drawer. I love places I can store
things so they’re out of sight. The drawer holds some little booklets and
pencils and pens. I placed a basket from Kenya on the shelf for library
books and on top is another basket with a lid where I stored my manuscripts for
the latest book while I worked on them. At a bazaar this last fall, I found a
stone coaster on which to place a cup. On top of the desk is another small
basket where I store important papers I’m working with and my keys and cell
phone so I can always find them.
A New Theme
As I said before, bits of Kenya had started taking over my
lighthouse-themed living room so I decided to make the transformation complete
by finishing the job. I rounded up all the lighthouse themed paraphernalia and
got rid of it or stored it away. I then dug into a large basket in my room (do
you see a theme of baskets here?) and pulled out other items I had bought in Kenya. A little
wooden lion and elephant went on top of the fireplace with a small rattle made
of a gourd in between. A carving of a giraffe along with an Africa-shaped soap
stone box made friends with the basket on my desk. Over those, I hung a
hand-woven disk made of basketry material about eight inches in circumference.
I found an African print skirt my friend brought back from Mali to lay over
the back of my couch. My mom offered me a cream and tan colored couch cover to
replace my dusty blue one (which I also gave away.) In July, while walking
around the World Beat Festival in my hometown, I met a vendor selling pillows
with African covers. I selected three: two matching ones for the couch colored
green, blue, and brown, with bits of orange, and a green and brown one for my
chair. Kenya
means a lot to me and I love being reminded of it every day. A few souvenirs
from my trip to Europe did slip in including a small Eiffel Tower and a rosary from St. Paul’s Cathedral. I
love the reminder of different cultures and the friends who live in them.
lighthouse-themed living room so I decided to make the transformation complete
by finishing the job. I rounded up all the lighthouse themed paraphernalia and
got rid of it or stored it away. I then dug into a large basket in my room (do
you see a theme of baskets here?) and pulled out other items I had bought in Kenya. A little
wooden lion and elephant went on top of the fireplace with a small rattle made
of a gourd in between. A carving of a giraffe along with an Africa-shaped soap
stone box made friends with the basket on my desk. Over those, I hung a
hand-woven disk made of basketry material about eight inches in circumference.
I found an African print skirt my friend brought back from Mali to lay over
the back of my couch. My mom offered me a cream and tan colored couch cover to
replace my dusty blue one (which I also gave away.) In July, while walking
around the World Beat Festival in my hometown, I met a vendor selling pillows
with African covers. I selected three: two matching ones for the couch colored
green, blue, and brown, with bits of orange, and a green and brown one for my
chair. Kenya
means a lot to me and I love being reminded of it every day. A few souvenirs
from my trip to Europe did slip in including a small Eiffel Tower and a rosary from St. Paul’s Cathedral. I
love the reminder of different cultures and the friends who live in them.
Art
Having taken down nearly all the old art, I started taking
advantage of my local library’s art lending program until I decided what I
wanted to put up. I didn’t have much money to spend on this part of the project
so I used what I already had. Taking an old framed picture I had ― bland frame,
uninteresting mat and a print that no longer fit with what I wanted ―I went to
a friend who runs a frame shop. Taking the whole thing apart, she added texture
to the frame, painted it a dark brown espresso color, and added a deep green
mat to go with a picture of two giraffes I took myself while on safari. The
result looks incredible, nothing like what she started with, and all it cost me
was some supplies and a little labor. (The coloring on the pillows was my
inspiration for my color choices.) At the same time, she also painted two other
frames that same espresso color which I filled with more of my own photography,
an elephant in the smaller frame and the one with nine openings, I put in some
of my favorite photos from my trip to Kenya. One of the cons of living in
a rented apartment is that one does not typically get to paint the walls. Thus
I chose bold, darker colors to stand out. I also rooted around my belongings
and found a black, wooden carved frame a friend gave me years ago and put in my
photograph of a lion at rest.
advantage of my local library’s art lending program until I decided what I
wanted to put up. I didn’t have much money to spend on this part of the project
so I used what I already had. Taking an old framed picture I had ― bland frame,
uninteresting mat and a print that no longer fit with what I wanted ―I went to
a friend who runs a frame shop. Taking the whole thing apart, she added texture
to the frame, painted it a dark brown espresso color, and added a deep green
mat to go with a picture of two giraffes I took myself while on safari. The
result looks incredible, nothing like what she started with, and all it cost me
was some supplies and a little labor. (The coloring on the pillows was my
inspiration for my color choices.) At the same time, she also painted two other
frames that same espresso color which I filled with more of my own photography,
an elephant in the smaller frame and the one with nine openings, I put in some
of my favorite photos from my trip to Kenya. One of the cons of living in
a rented apartment is that one does not typically get to paint the walls. Thus
I chose bold, darker colors to stand out. I also rooted around my belongings
and found a black, wooden carved frame a friend gave me years ago and put in my
photograph of a lion at rest.
As words are also important to me, I framed the poem my
editor later told me is the center of my latest book in a green mat and hung
it by the door. I also went through the smaller picture frames around my house
and replaced the outdated photos inside to pictures of friends who give me
great joy. Whenever I look at their faces now, it lifts my heart. I believe the
art around one’s home should reflect who you are now, not who you were five or
ten years ago. Having my house fit who I am now feels wonderful. It helps
remind me of who that person is and keeps me living in the moment, not in the
past.
editor later told me is the center of my latest book in a green mat and hung
it by the door. I also went through the smaller picture frames around my house
and replaced the outdated photos inside to pictures of friends who give me
great joy. Whenever I look at their faces now, it lifts my heart. I believe the
art around one’s home should reflect who you are now, not who you were five or
ten years ago. Having my house fit who I am now feels wonderful. It helps
remind me of who that person is and keeps me living in the moment, not in the
past.
A Ways to Go
Besides going through all my belongings and changing some of
the furniture around, I have not redecorated my bedroom or bathroom. On the
floor in my bedroom are two high quality rugs I am not yet ready to replace and
I have a bunch of fabric I bought in Kenya with which I want to make a large
quilt for my bed. Once that is finished, I will use the quilt as the basis to
redecorate those rooms. They may not quite fit who I am now, but they are
peaceful spaces and that is highly valuable to me as well.
the furniture around, I have not redecorated my bedroom or bathroom. On the
floor in my bedroom are two high quality rugs I am not yet ready to replace and
I have a bunch of fabric I bought in Kenya with which I want to make a large
quilt for my bed. Once that is finished, I will use the quilt as the basis to
redecorate those rooms. They may not quite fit who I am now, but they are
peaceful spaces and that is highly valuable to me as well.
I also have some items in storage in a friend’s unfinished
room across town. I started the process of going through all that at the same
time I went through my apartment but stopped when writing and publishing my
recent book took over my life. Once the weather warms back up (the room is
unheated), I will go back and finish the job — throwing things away, recycling
unwanted papers, selling what people may want to buy, and giving away others. Since
much of this is from younger years, this part of the project also includes
working through letting go of who I was, of the need to hold onto that person, that
child, and embracing who I am now. Who we have been is important and valuable
but if I put that person higher in value than who I am now, then my value is
misplaced. We cannot live in the past, we have to live in the present. We may
not think we do this, but if we look around ourselves and think about what
items we hold onto, even in storage, we can tell where our values lie and what
lives we are living. So I am keeping only the important things: some of my
favorite toys (though I have let others go), the canopy that goes with my four
poster bed, Christmas decorations, graded papers from seminary I want to read
later, and a few of the best pieces of clay sculpting from a class I took in
high school. The rest I feel is weighing me down and I am ready to let it go.
room across town. I started the process of going through all that at the same
time I went through my apartment but stopped when writing and publishing my
recent book took over my life. Once the weather warms back up (the room is
unheated), I will go back and finish the job — throwing things away, recycling
unwanted papers, selling what people may want to buy, and giving away others. Since
much of this is from younger years, this part of the project also includes
working through letting go of who I was, of the need to hold onto that person, that
child, and embracing who I am now. Who we have been is important and valuable
but if I put that person higher in value than who I am now, then my value is
misplaced. We cannot live in the past, we have to live in the present. We may
not think we do this, but if we look around ourselves and think about what
items we hold onto, even in storage, we can tell where our values lie and what
lives we are living. So I am keeping only the important things: some of my
favorite toys (though I have let others go), the canopy that goes with my four
poster bed, Christmas decorations, graded papers from seminary I want to read
later, and a few of the best pieces of clay sculpting from a class I took in
high school. The rest I feel is weighing me down and I am ready to let it go.
Upkeep
The hard part of going through everything, is doing it
again. As I said before, going through things comes in layers. Once you’ve
peeled back one layer, you have to do it again to peel back the next. For
example, friends have been giving me clothes they no longer want (which I
love!) but that means I need to go through my own closet and do the same to
make room for the new items. Books also seem to come in a lot faster than they
leave — my library is the hardest thing for me to go through. I am sure I could
go through my whole apartment again and take out a couple more boxes of things
I don’t use.
again. As I said before, going through things comes in layers. Once you’ve
peeled back one layer, you have to do it again to peel back the next. For
example, friends have been giving me clothes they no longer want (which I
love!) but that means I need to go through my own closet and do the same to
make room for the new items. Books also seem to come in a lot faster than they
leave — my library is the hardest thing for me to go through. I am sure I could
go through my whole apartment again and take out a couple more boxes of things
I don’t use.
Having so many drawers and baskets around, one of the
easiest things to do is to shove things into them and forget what is inside. So
every now and then, I pull open a drawer or pull down a basket and go through
what is inside. Each one typically only takes a few minutes but it keeps me
asking “Do I need this?” It also reminds me of what is inside, helps me keep things
organized and I don’t forget where things are. It’s a habit I’m working on
forming as things I thought I would use when I did the major cleanout, I really
don’t need and it’s my chance to go through that next layer of items I’m ready
to let go.
easiest things to do is to shove things into them and forget what is inside. So
every now and then, I pull open a drawer or pull down a basket and go through
what is inside. Each one typically only takes a few minutes but it keeps me
asking “Do I need this?” It also reminds me of what is inside, helps me keep things
organized and I don’t forget where things are. It’s a habit I’m working on
forming as things I thought I would use when I did the major cleanout, I really
don’t need and it’s my chance to go through that next layer of items I’m ready
to let go.
The trickiest part of upkeep, though, is keeping things
picked up. For me, this includes not leaving things out on counters and tables
but putting them away. I also have to keep shoes and clothes organized in my
closet or they fall out and start infringing on the floor in the hallway. I
can’t use the living room floor or the couch as a dumping ground but put things
away when I come home at the end of the day. Regularly, I now go around and
make sure things are picked up, put away, and I even run the vacuum cleaner
every now and then. My biggest growth area I am working on this year is the
deeper cleaning: cleaning the bathroom, washing the kitchen floor, and dusting.
Some of you may have a system down but I live by myself and tend to focus on
projects instead of keeping the house deeply cleaned. I’m not saying this is
entirely wrong, but it is my goal this year to develop better habits on keeping
things truly clean and organized.
picked up. For me, this includes not leaving things out on counters and tables
but putting them away. I also have to keep shoes and clothes organized in my
closet or they fall out and start infringing on the floor in the hallway. I
can’t use the living room floor or the couch as a dumping ground but put things
away when I come home at the end of the day. Regularly, I now go around and
make sure things are picked up, put away, and I even run the vacuum cleaner
every now and then. My biggest growth area I am working on this year is the
deeper cleaning: cleaning the bathroom, washing the kitchen floor, and dusting.
Some of you may have a system down but I live by myself and tend to focus on
projects instead of keeping the house deeply cleaned. I’m not saying this is
entirely wrong, but it is my goal this year to develop better habits on keeping
things truly clean and organized.
End Result
Last night while I was picking the things up I had left on
the floor, my keyboard was playing my favorite song, and between the putting
away, I continued to practice my violin. It felt so cozy, so warm and inviting,
so comfortable. I like the cleaned up yet lived in look. Things are definitely
in their place but there are also books stacked up next to my chair, the laptop
is set up on the dining room table, my coat hangs on the back of the desk chair,
and my work bag is waiting by the door. It’s home and I love it. It’s so much
easier to enjoy my time there when I’m organized, when there is space, and I’m
surrounded by things I truly love. Sorting everything out and redesigning the
space took a lot of effort and time but it was completely worth it. I am now
truly home in my home.
the floor, my keyboard was playing my favorite song, and between the putting
away, I continued to practice my violin. It felt so cozy, so warm and inviting,
so comfortable. I like the cleaned up yet lived in look. Things are definitely
in their place but there are also books stacked up next to my chair, the laptop
is set up on the dining room table, my coat hangs on the back of the desk chair,
and my work bag is waiting by the door. It’s home and I love it. It’s so much
easier to enjoy my time there when I’m organized, when there is space, and I’m
surrounded by things I truly love. Sorting everything out and redesigning the
space took a lot of effort and time but it was completely worth it. I am now
truly home in my home.
Lessons Learned
The things I learned through my own experience of cleaning
out and reorganizing, you can apply to your own home. It may seem daunting but
let me tell you, it is worth it. Here are some tips I learned to get you
started. Check your local library for books on cleaning out your home. They
will inspire you! They certainly inspired me.
out and reorganizing, you can apply to your own home. It may seem daunting but
let me tell you, it is worth it. Here are some tips I learned to get you
started. Check your local library for books on cleaning out your home. They
will inspire you! They certainly inspired me.
- Start
with one area at a time. Don’t feel overwhelmed, just start with one
drawer or one closet. The satisfaction you feel in cleaning out and
organizing that space will inspire you to go onto the next. - When
choosing furniture, choose the pieces that can serve more than one
purpose. One piece of furniture serving two functions means one less thing
cluttering your home. - Choose
furniture with drawers or out of sight storage spaces such as a television
stand with shelves on the side. The more things you can store out of sight
but keep easily accessible, the cleaner your space will feel. My desk has
three large drawers and I can close the top so everything is out of sight
where previously, all my supplies were on display on a bookshelf. - Baskets!
I love baskets. I have one for books by my chair, one for music and remote
controls by the television, one for papers on top of my desk, another in
my kitchen for food storage, and a giant one in my bedroom for blankets
and other various items. Again, out of sight gives a much cleaner look and
baskets, when not overdone, are a beautiful decoration as well as being
functional. - Keep knick-knacks
to a minimum, The more of these you have, the more cluttered your space
will feel and the more difficult dusting will be. I keep a few favorites
out, especially if they go with my theme, and have several more in storage
to rotate in at a later time. - What
you are not okay letting go today, you may be okay letting go of tomorrow.
Be honest with yourself, but be tender too. Things can come off in layers
and once you know how good it feels to have less, you will be ready to go
deeper.
Happy sorting!
Many thanks Sarah for this very helpful and detailed post.
We are in the process of moving house and have had to do quite a bit of decluttering already. I have sold some things,sent others to charity shops and a lot of paper got shredded!
Some of what has gone out of the house [mainly books!] has only got as far as a storage unit so more thought will be needed there. We will probably do more decluttering once we have settled into our new house too.
It's a continuing process which we both find difficult but we are tackling it bit by bit.