| I've recently heard more and more people mention | | | | children, then toys can also start to take over a |
| the word "declutter" and wondered what all the fuss | | | | room if not kept under control. If you don't keep |
| was about. Is this a fad, a load of rubbish, a reaction | | | | your toy-count in check, your children will soon have |
| to our modern excesses or a necessary remedy to | | | | too many toys to be able to find their own |
| make our lives more livable? Being interested in doing | | | | favourites. Another opportunity to recycle beckons, |
| a bit of "decluttering" myself, I decided to conduct a | | | | so whatever you do don't just throw them away. |
| little research and found there is a ground-swell of | | | | Donate them to friends with younger children, sell |
| anti-clutter thinking building up across the country. In | | | | them at a car-boot sale or even on Ebay. In the |
| the UK there is even a trade body called the | | | | kitchen, old utensils can be thrown away for hygiene |
| Association of Professional Declutterers and | | | | reasons and in the garage, throw out all those old |
| Organisers! | | | | tins of paint and rubbish that you moved out from |
| So what is all the fuss about? It seems that we all | | | | the house last year. |
| have huge amounts of disposable income and a | | | | If you have mountains of rubbish, it may be |
| distinct lack of time. The end result of these two | | | | worthwhile hiring a skip to make the job easier. |
| factors is that we buy loads of unnecessary stuff | | | | Another location that really benefits from a good |
| and have no time to either use it or throw it away. | | | | clear-out is the office - either your desk at work or |
| Another factor is our innate tendency to hoard | | | | your home-office. You'll be amazed at how much |
| things. Our reluctance to throw things away, even if | | | | paperwork people can accumulate over a short |
| we never use them, results in a build up of rubbish | | | | period of time. I've known companies that have had |
| that slowly but surely consumes our living space until | | | | periodic office reorganisations, purely to make people |
| we reach that breaking point when the declutter | | | | have a regular clear out of their work space. |
| urge begins to nag! Everyone has a different | | | | So what are the benefits of all this decluttering? If |
| declutter urge threshold, with some people unable to | | | | you have tried it even once you'll know exactly what |
| cope with even a small pile of old newspapers, | | | | I mean by the sense of satisfaction and achievement |
| whereas others will reach the point where they can | | | | that can be attained from all of this. If you haven't |
| hardly move from room-to-room before the urge to | | | | ever set aside time for a spot of decluttering, then I |
| take action kicks in. | | | | can only suggest that you try a small test run. Plan |
| It seems that there are various locations that merit a | | | | to spend just one hour, in one room and see how |
| bout of decluttering and there are a range of drivers | | | | far you get - and see how good you feel! |
| that spur the declutterer into action. Let's deal with | | | | Another favourite technique is the 15-3 sprint. Take a |
| the locations first of all. | | | | rubbish bag and for the next 3 minutes, try to fill it |
| The normal location is the family home. Kitchens, living | | | | with 5 items to throw away each every minute. If |
| rooms, bedrooms and garages are the usual culprits. | | | | you reach 15 in the allotted time you've done well |
| For bedrooms, clothing is the main clutter contributor. | | | | and just see how good that feels. You may even be |
| For those of use who can't resist a little retail | | | | tempted to repeat the exercise every day. |
| therapy, there can easily be a rapid build-up of | | | | You may have a few guilty feelings about being |
| unworn clothing, but garments are one of the easiest | | | | wasteful and disposing of perfectly good things, but |
| items to clear out. Whatever you do, unless your old | | | | these will be more than compensated for by your |
| clothes are worn-out, damaged or dirty, don't throw | | | | sense of achievement, your satisfaction in being able |
| them away. You have a perfect opportunity to | | | | to let go and the cleaner, lighter space you have |
| donate your clothes to charity during your | | | | created. You'll feel more relaxed in your home, you'll |
| decluttering. Many people recommend using the "one | | | | be able to find things more easily and you'll know |
| year" rule - if you haven't worn an item of clothing | | | | exactly what you have. In fact the fewer things you |
| during the last 12 months then you are highly unlikely | | | | have, the more you will cherish and use them. Go on, |
| to wear it again - just clear it out! If you have | | | | have a good old clear out today. |