The decluttering process – FAQ

What if I am emotionally attached to something?
– then keep it. Even if you do not use it, if just having it brings you joy, don’t let it go. I have found that, over time, I have lost the attachment to many items and have been able to send them off to new homes. I am very sentimental so I hang on to things that would seem silly to others, but they make me happy.

The thought of it is so overwhelming!
– do it in small increments. I have been through periods where I set a timer for 20 minutes and sort things for that amount of time (the Pomodoro Method). Or else I do it while the kettle is boiling. That is long enough to gather old newspapers/major magazines for recycling, change toothbrush heads, or throw out my old mascara and replace it with a new one.
– throw out something every day. Test your cheap pens. Toss ones that are not working. Chipped plates? Out they go. For me, I have to keep on top of printed teaching materials every day. I throw out extra copies or put them into another file for reuse with another group. If I don’t do this, I end up with a dusty disorganised pile that I won’t use anyway.
– you won’t notice a difference in the beginning, but over time you will. Then once you are down to maintaining a clutter-free home, you can just do a quick once-over every week.

Where do I start?
– start where it is easy. Go through your towels, sheets, or socks, tablecloths. Anything that is worn, torn, holey or stained can go. I am down to three sets of towels and three sets of bedlinen. All my old towels went to the local animal shelter for birthing mama cats.
– stationery was also easy. Dried up pens, half used teaching notebooks I no longer needed, planner inserts for teaching years gone by (I keep them for a year in case of queries from clients).
– paperwork was also easy. Expired warranties and manuals for items I threw away long ago, old tax declarations, receipts, agendas and minutes for meetings. I refiled everything and managed to throw out at least 10 storage binders and boxes. The new ones are very clearly labelled and organised.
– keys belonging to apartments past and locks without keys.
– cables and chargers to things you no longer own
– white t shirts that are grey, clothes that no longer fit or have lost their shape.

Once you have started, you will form a habit of going through things with a decluttering eye. Life is so much easier if you have few of everything.

How do I get rid of it?
We are lucky in that our co-operative association has recycling rooms for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, electronics, batteries. We also have a small area where you can donate items to other residents. I leave many books and fashion magazines there. I use Sellpy to sell most things, an auction house for higher end jewellery and accessories, and a vintage consignment store for things that are in between. I also sell things upon request from my blog, and sometimes on a local marketplace. I have three charity shops within walking distance and I donate things on my way to work, if I start late. I donate toiletry items to a local women’s shelter. Any money I make, I use to buy new things. This means a one-in-one-out policy. I get rid of worn t shirts and replace them with new using the money I make from selling.

The only problem area I do have is books. I have piles of books to be read, and yet I still find new books.