How to organise a decluttering session

To accompany my decluttering journey I’m reading Sue Kay’s book; No More Clutter. Today I read about her ‘twelve point decluttering plan’. This plan is about tackling one messy cluttery problem area. Most of my challenge isn’t about mess, its about reducing the personal items I own in order to live and be happy. But I still have some problem areas; a small table with a draw which I use to hold my handbag and my bedside table which has three draws, one filled to the brim with paper.

Of course I just got stuck in and started trying to clean it up with out following Sue’s advice from previous chapters about ‘gathering your supplies’ together. She suggests getting a rubbish bin, a recycling bin, a charity bin and a relocation basket in the area before you start – once I set this up the process of decision making became so streamlined. I realised that previously I was wasting time and getting side tracked by walking in and out of the room relocating objects as I went along. Putting all those things (pens, medicine packets, bank statements, kitchen supplies, paint chips etc) in a basket to re distribute after was a great time saver.

Now I have a very zen draw with just the things I need for my handbag (keys, sunglasses, lip tint etc) plus I found two old cheques which I’ll bank this week (bonus $25). I also found a gift voucher for $30 which had a one year expiration and ran out a month ago. I was temped to put it in my purse and try and haggle with the shop keeper to use it, but I haven’t found a need to buy something from that shop in a year and I don’t really want to add more to my list right now so I just let it be and put it in the recycling bin.

This was a bit difficult for me because I’m a Frugal Horder. That’s one of No More Clutter’s eight hording types. It’s about getting perceived value from an item. She say’s;

Once you’ve spent money it’s spent. No amount of guilt will change this fact. Last year as you wandered down the high street those silver sandals called out to you. Ok, you only wore them once, they hurt your feet and don’t go with any thing in your wardrobe. But you keep them because they cost you over a $100.

Obviously I feel I wasted the gift vouchers, but I also feel bad about throwing out cosmetics if they’re not empty, or getting rid of useful art supplies even when I don’t use them.  Sue’s solution for the Frugal type is to try and cut your loses or recoup some of the cost by on-selling your things.

Collectively from the two draws I threw out a singlet top and two eye cream jars. I’ve also put a side a number of items to give away and ebay, but I’m not going to count these things until they leave the house.

Items: 492

Advertisement