|
|
2004 will be the year you win your battle with clutter. Perhaps you've already made a New Year's resolution to get organised and free up your life from all that excess and unwanted stuff.
So what's going to make this year different from the previous ones. Let's look at some key areas that are going to lead to success
• Make decluttering and getting organised a priority in 2004.
You may well be in a Catch 22 situation - you're busy, busy, busy so you've no time to declutter ... yet because you're so busy clutter is piling up and you're wasting time because you can't find anything.
Something has to give. Look long and hard at how you are spending your time. Perhaps there is one thing you could declutter from your schedule to free up time. Remember the golden rule: start with something easy, because success brings success.
• Value the small changes
I'm not going to lie to you - decluttering takes time. If you've got a lot of stuff then transforming your whole home won't happen overnight. So set small realistic goals, such as: "today I'll sort out my cutlery drawer", "today I'll go through my cookery books", "does the cat really need all those toys?", or my personal favourite: "today I'm going to clear out my handbag."
If you've just got five minutes while you're waiting for your tea to brew then try a Snatch and Grab raid! Get a carrier bag and see how many unwanted items you can find to put in it in that time.
Set up some new daily habits, such as opening your post, putting the old newspaper in the recycling or hanging your clothes up. It will get easier and second nature amazingly quickly.
• January's Top Tips
Christmas is hard on the wallet and brings another load of possessions into your home. So here are some ideas for January to help you keep in balance
One in, one out - for every Christmas present you got let one go. So if you got a scarf, give away your least favourite one.
Use up what you have. If you've got 8 bottles of perfume or 50 brand new birthday cards, then don't buy anymore. Even if they are in the sales!
Let go of any Christmas gifts you don't like. I know it's tough but remember everything in your home should be useful or cherished.
If it takes less than 30 seconds, do it straightaway (from the Messies Manual). That way you don't have to handle or think about something twice.
Lose weight fast after Christmas! Why not weigh the bags of unwanted stuff you're letting go? Think how much weight you could lose that way!
• Share your ideas
Do email me and let me know what's working for you. Also any tips or ideas you have and would like to share with other newsletter subscribers.
• Get help if you need it.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and don't feel able to start on your own, then give me a call. I'm happy to work with you on a one-off basis to kick-start the decluttering process or work with you all the way to a completely clutter free home or office.
Contact Sue Kay at no more clutter on 020 8444 5149 or 07974 076 675.
