Cleaning Up For 2015
After the early morning's deluge of Typhoon Seniang which turned Lacson Street (particularly the Mandalagan area in front of Robinsons) into a mini-river, it is now time to move on and do the necessary cleaning in time for 2015.
Throughout the year we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff which we really don't need at all. At the same time, we realize that we are all getting older and there really is no point in hanging on to a lot of stuff which we intended to bequeath to our children who primarily do not view these items with the same eyes of sentimentalism. They have their lives to live within much smaller spaces. Most of them do not have the same sprawling bungalows we used to have. Hence, we need to be kind to them and kind to ourselves.
Here are my tips on how to effectively clean up before the New Year comes in. Just remember the acronym SPACE. That's what we need. More SPACE.
SORT
Get 5 basic boxes or totes labeled: Trash, Repairs, Recycling, Give-Away, and Ambot. You may feel you need to add For Sale if necessary. Take the time to touch and reflect upon each possession you are considering letting go. Place unwanted possessions as you de-clutter. For Repairs be sure you are willing to the do repair soon, or don’t keep the item. Try to keep the Ambot box small. This is for all the stuff we really have a ard time thinking of what to do; however, this box does come in handy so that you don’t get hung up on one item too long and stop the process. At the end of the day (or when the timer goes off) put supplies or possessions that still need to be evaluated away neatly. Start fresh each time you work on the clutter instead of when you are feeling tired or overwhelmed. Sometimes you will get more done when you walk away and take a break.
PURGE
Remove the unwanted possessions right away. Right away means wihin the next two days. If you let it just sit in your space, you are starting new clutter towards which you may assign new feelings of guilt.
ASSIGN
Now is the time to start organizing the possessions you are keeping and to make decisions about where they will go in the room, or space. Try clearing out the room completely so that it is empty like the day you moved into your home.
CONTAINERIZE
Notice that this step is almost the last thing you do, not the first. So many people, after deciding to de-clutter and get organized, run out and buy a bunch of containers before they even know what they are going to keep. You can get a lot of these containers in all shapes and colors at Handyman or SM.
EQUALIZE
This last step is about you maintaining your space and staying in control of your clutter! There should be no stress involved when it is time to clean-up at the end of your day, because now everything you have kept should have a place. Curbing impulsive shopping and buying will help you avoid clutter build-up while saving you money. Ask yourself, before you buy it, where will it go once I get it home? If you don’t know, don’t buy it.
Happy New Year!
---------------------
Follow me on Twitter @TitasdeBacolod
