JANUARY 2024
Happy New Year!
As we think of making plans for 2024 the first thing that usually comes into our heads are, where are we allocating holiday for the year, what we are hoping to achieve in the year - a new hobby, a new career, a new house perhaps. These are all important things to think about, but I'm sure at the back of your mind you are thinking what didn't happen last year!
Instead of putting those thoughts on a back burner, peel back the plasters on the things that should have been tackled.
We often put a plaster over things, like we will sort the Christmas decorations next year and carefully fill a box or two full and put it in the attic. Or the books we got given over Christmas we will just squeeze onto an already full shelf.
Think where you put these sticking plasters in your home and make a list of them. Then one by one go back and peel the plaster off so you can tick off the list. Try once a week or once a month or even better every other day.
So before that box goes in the attic or the book on the shelf, have a think have we used it in the past year or two, do we like it, is it damaged. You may be surprised how much can be done in a very short time.
Diagram above: How to peel back the plasters from your home
Identify the mess
Organise a list
Love yourself, do not beat yourself up about it
Sort it
AUGUST 2023
Summer is here!
If you are anything like me it is a busy time bringing it's never ending lists of to do.
My children are off on summer holiday and all the school bags, uniforms and school books are back to sort. Yet the list is long before this happened. However, fun is important during a holiday time, tasks can still be crossed off everyday, so that it does not become overwhelming.
Giving yourself a half an hour to write the list of jobs that need doing is a good place to start. The next half an hour you have free you can choose one of those jobs.
It can be everyday tasks eg.
Change bedding
Empty all bins around the house
Water houseplants
Wipe windowsills down
Cut the grass
Or you could add in the one off jobs eg.
Check and sort clothes in a wardrobe
Thin a bookshelf
Wash the windows on the outside
Check dates in a food cupboard and clean shelves
Weed the front garden
You will soon see things going off your list and although the list may always be added too it's a good record of what you have achieved.
Naomi Oosthuizen - Professional Declutterer and Organiser
Letting Clutter Go
I am a verified member of APDO, the UK’s membership association for decluttering and organising professionals. APDO sets standards, provides professional development and supports the growth of the industry.