I have lost count of how many times I have heard someone say “I couldn’t find it so I just bought another one”. This habit alone will use up valuable space. Keeping like things together in a logical place will narrow down where to look for it when it is needed. Sure we need some multiples of things like scissors; but are they in a logical place? A pair in the kitchen? A pair with the gift wrap? A pair in the bathroom?
Define Your Space
A common problem linked to having too much stuff is not defining space. If a room has too many purposes, it makes it difficult to do the task at hand. If the space is used for common uses, such as studying, reading, household filing, it will much easier to manage.
Enough Already
Recently I watch an episode of ‘Enough Already’ on the OWN Network, with my favourite clutter expert Peter Walsh.
Peter asked the client he was about to declutter, to choose three things from her home that had the most value to her. He said she had one minute and to imagine that she had to leave her home and those three things were all she could take. She looked shocked, but as Peter started to count down, she sprung into action. She chose one thing. A photograph of her grandmother. When Peter asked her why she chose that; she explained that her grandmother had taught her important values in life: kindness, compassion and understanding. Peter pointed out that none of those attributes were things. Noticing the look on her face, I would say the light bulb went on.
I think this is my point when I say, who we are is NOT our things. Without the things we would still be the same people.
Try this test for yourself. What three things would you take if you had to leave your home for good in one minute. You might surprise yourself.
To your clutter free life!