Someone in my renovation coaching session was asking if there are any write up or tips for de-cluttering the home. Indeed there were some write up which I can pick up to share and also some of my own practices.
To many, “decluttering“ is such a big word and a formidable task, as such they decided to put it aside and avoid taking any action. The snow ball effect is not going to help and the problems just keep piling up. So, like most people do; live with problem and keep complaining messy home and not enough space at home.
So, how do you get started? It has to be the “action” and “take actions”.
Set a realistic goal and take action (no more procrastination). Do not expect to clear those messes that you cumulated over the years in 1-2 days or even in a short few weeks! Here are the important outlines:
i. Maybe 3 months project and set aside at least half a day each session
ii. Start with a corner or a room – early success will enhance confidence
iii. Start with a smaller task first – a cabinet in the room or some shelves (do not be too ambitious to clear entire room in a session)
iv. Stick with your schedules in your project plan. (Don’t give excuses)
Set aside a holding area. In the process of clearing up, you may need to “park” something somewhere for regrouping with the other stuffs later on.
Categorizing. Everything should have its place. Store the things in the logical and practical place. For example, the stationaries are to be in the cupboard close to children study area and/or desk work area. Cookery ware and kitchen utensils should be close to kitchen in the event the kitchen cabinet can’t hold all of them.
Stack up with clear containers. The fears of stacking things up in boxes are “hard to find in the future. This should not be the case with the clear (see through) stackable containers which are easily nowadays; you should be able to locate your stuff easily. To take it further, you can generate inventory listing tag to each containers.
Storage solution acquisition plan. The common practices are to go out to buy whatever container appeal to you or even build new cabinet and then pack all the stuff into them. The right sequent is declutter and finalize what to keep first then get the right size and right type containers to house them. (or build the practical cabinets for storage)
Sentiment value items. Be pragmatic and be practical about them and in general they can’t be bulky items. Some of them can take in different format, for example those old yellowish pictures can be converted to digital format. 10 photo albums can be stored in one tiny thumb drive! (the color of the old pictures can even be restored digitally).
I may need those items in the future. We tend to give “excuses” to keep something because we may need them in the future. But, if you found something which you have forgotten since 3 years ago; would you still need them in the near future? The electronic gadgets are those item will run out of their useful life in 1 – 3 years. Think again if you still want to hang on with them?
Recycle to pass them on. Some of the “old stuffs” that you rediscover could be of good use to others. Pass it on and do your part to protect our environment too. Donate and give it to charity organizations so that they can resell and/or pass them on to other needy. But, only do so if they are in good working condition.
Space saving fixtures and furniture. The trend of smaller apartment for the smaller family size is forth coming. The way to go is to opt for space saving and duo purpose furniture, such as bed with storage space, stool which can double up as storage container.
Take something out before you add new thing into your home. This should be easily accomplished for dresses, shoes and daily used items. Sometimes we tend to keep the old bed sheet after buying the replacement new set!
Set up lost and found bin. Cater a box to temporary hold the items which were important but left out by some family members. But, do keep the bin to be small, if not, everything will be inside!
Be responsible to our society and environment. In the process of disposing those unwanted items, we need to be mindful not anyhow throw them away. If there are bulky items, please contact the rightful party to dispose them accordingly (it will not cost you an arm and leg). Other smaller items, kindly segregate them in accordance to the recycle bins categories and dispose them accordingly.
Discipline, discipline and discipline. Whatever hard works you put in to declutter will go to waste if you do not have the discipline to keep up with the above action plans.
Wei Teck – Property Coach
Jun 2014
Email: proplaunchsg@gmail.com
www.proplaunchsg.com
www.blissfulproperty.com
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