Take this room, for example. This is not any one of my client's rooms as I don't take photos of any of my client's rooms. This was a stock photo off the Internet but I am using it to prove a point. How can someone live their best life in the midst of chaos? How can a child enjoy all they have been given if they can't even get to half of it? How can you feel like your world is not closing in on you every time you step into that room?
So, how would I attack a room like this? A little bit at a time. I would first go through and see if there is any trash...........yes, trash........you'd be surprised. Then I would begin to take one thing at a time and decide what to do with it OR I would begin to divide the items into categories. You could have a category of cars, games, blocks, clothes, art supplies, etc. Then once it is divided into categories, I would only put a small fraction of the stuff back in the room limiting the number of items in the child's room.
The same goes for any adult room. Take one thing at a time, whether it be a shelf, a drawer, a corner, or the top of the dresser. Divide the items you find into categories and then make good, sound, sometimes hard decisions about whether it is adding value to your life and just like the child, limit how many items you get to "play" with or surround yourself with.
There are two main things that are hard about the de-clutter process - letting go and pressing on, even when you don't feel like it. Getting through those two things will open a world of possibilities, allowing you to think about life instead of stuff!
A Tanzanian Proverb says it best - Little by little a little becomes a lot. Now go get going, little by little.
That's my downstairs!!!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, that's a little too much clutter. Some of us thrive on having everything at our fingertips, though.
Thriving is key. If you and your family are thriving, then you are A-OK. It is clutter when it impedes your progress and it gets in your way. Thrive on!! :)
DeleteThat's my garage :-) Luckily with winter coming we need to be able to park in it, so we will be using these tips to clear it out.
ReplyDeleteOver 1/4 of the people have garages they can no longer park in so you are not alone. Good luck on the clearing out process. Drop in and ask me a question if you get stuck in the process.
DeleteI think letting go is the hardest. Working on getting ready to downsize my own home that I have been in 17 years and working on my mom's over-filled home now that she's moved into a 2 room retirement setting. YIKES! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteI am in North Carolina too so I love the name of your blog. Letting go is hard but essential. You have some difficult tasks ahead of you but you can do it.....remember LITTLE by LITTLE.
DeleteI love to de-clutter! Actually, I don't even accumulate clutter anymore and am ruthless about what gets to stay in the house. If it's not needed then it's recycled, given away or thrown away. I think this probably comes from having moved house 3 times in 3 years, there's only so many times you're willing to pack things in boxes you know you're never going to use. I travel light now!
ReplyDeleteTraveling light is very freeing. Travel on!
DeleteNow I think about it, I have a few areas that I need to declutter and hopefully it will help with the energy flow of the house and the health of all who dwell within. Thank you. As always, your posts are well written and beautifully presented and are a delight to read. Amanda HelmiBM
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments Amanda. I do believe that creating white space is essential for a good energy flow in the home. Good luck on the declutter process, it is freeing.
DeleteLetting go is the hardest part. When I declutter, I just do it in small bits. Focus on ONE corner or ONE space, work for 15-20 minutes max. Then if I'm feeling overwhelmed, I take a break. Little by little, it gets done.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Measi, you have a great system and it will get done. Decluttering can be an emotional process so taking it in small chunks of time allows you to not get on complete overload and shut down totally. Good luck on your continued success!
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