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Article
from Village Brighton magazine, April 2007
What is
Decluttering?
Clutter is
defined as a confused or orderly state or collection. What
is one person's clutter may well be another's treasured
items. Think of clutter as items which no longer serve any real
purpose. Decluttering is a proactive and positive way to
reduce clutter and
organize what you keep. Decluttering does not mean
minimal. It means making decisions about what is special or
useful to you now.
As the designer
William Morris suggested in the nineteenth century, "Have
nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or
believe to be beautiful".
What are the
benefits of Decluttering?
Research
suggests that over half the population hoard clothes or other
belongings. Many people keep things 'just in case'.
Clutter can build up and lead to depression stress and the
inability to cope. By taking steps to reduce the clutter you
will let go of things that are no longer useful, essential or
serving a purpose. Your current needs are probably different
from last year. You
decide what to keep and where to store it. Remove the items you
no longer want and display that special treasure that has been
hiding at the back of a cupboard for months. Appreciate what you
keep. Sort through your home and choose what is necessary
or important to you. Have a place for everything. Save time.
Instead of searching for lost keys, remote controls and mobile
phones, spend the time doing something you enjoy.
Decluttering is
useful for many circumstances including:
moving
home
combining two households
downsizing
separation/divorce
bereavement
children leaving home
wardrobe organization
paperwork management
How to get
started
Think about the
areas you want to declutter! Think about what will happen to
what you remove.
Where will you
store things to keep? How will you store them?
Which bits and
pieces will you sell or donate to charity?
How will you
recycle? Who would benefit from your unwanted items?
Start with a
smaller area first. Take small steps. Keep it achievable. Decide
whether you want to spend a few hours one weekend or half an
hour every day. Most rooms will need four hours. One hour will
make a difference!
Stick with it
until all the areas you identified are free of clutter.
Reward yourself
when you have finished (no shopping!)
Deciding what
is important can be challenging. Ask someone to help as a
different viewpoint can be useful.
Things to
consider
When
did you use it last?
How often do you use it?
What purpose does it serve?
What stops you from getting rid of it?
How does it add to your well-being?
Five top tips to Declutter
Decide
What is
essential or valuable to you?
Design
What
will you store and where?
Discard
Recycle
sell or donate unwanted items.
Lose the just in case mind-set.
Dispose
Throw
away responsibly.
Declutter
Start
with a small area.
Be positive. You can do it!
First published
in the Village Brighton Magazine, April 2007
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