Hints and Tips

This is a list of some of the things that I've read that I shall be using as a guide to how to get rid of all my stuff and streamline my life.  You'll find advice from professional organisers that I've pulled from books and websites (see resources page and blog list) and a few thoughts from me that I might add as I go through this process.

Everybody I've read says that this is the best method for clearing stuff out.
  • Pick a space, be it a closet drawer, a box or an entire room and completely empty it.
  • Take a good look at the space, maybe clean it while its empty, repaint if you're feeling energetic.
  • Decide what to put back in.
  • Bin/donate/recycle or put-away-where-it-was-supposed-to-be-in-the-first-place all the stuff that is left.
Apparently this is much more effective than looking at a full space and deciding what to take out.

This method can be combined with looking at 'modules' such as shoes, clothes, knitting wool, books etc.

The William Morris quote "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" gets thrown about a lot but I find its not always that simple.  I think it's helpful to have a few questions to ask yourself if you are not sure whether or not something should go.
  • When did I last use it?
  • Do I have something else that serves the same function?
  • Is it really, honestly, absolutely going to be used ever?
  • Do I need it or is it just 'too good to throw away'?
  • If it was stolen, lost in a fire, eaten by the children etc would I miss it?
  • Is the item more valuable than the space it occupies?
  • Do I really, really like it?
A great piece of advice from Francine Jay, tell yourself out loud the reason you want to keep something.  Either it makes complete sense - keep it, or you feel like an idiot - bin it.

Limit possessions to the amount of space in which you want to keep them.  Eg all my cookery books must fit on the designated shelf in the kitchen.

Throw out anything that has not been used/worn for a certain amount of time, Eg one year.

2 comments:

  1. I'm the same I usually empty my closet first and then go through everything one item at a time. The only problem I have is keeping the stuff that doesn't fit because I'm working on my newest diet. Like your blog, it's fantastic.

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    Replies
    1. I have problems with keeping things 'just in case' I get invited to a wedding/job interview/Queen's garden party 😂 when I know I'd buy something new anyway if I did. Thanks for the lovely comment and I'm glad you've enjoyed reading.

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