The following is a transcrpit of the 2 minute radio segments I present 3 times per week on 101FM You can listen in live via the website every Mon-Wed-Fri at around 2:30PM AEST (Sun-Tue-Thur at 9:30PM PT  12:30AM ET 4:30AM GM)

Before you begin

You need to stop buying stuff OR stop buying as much stuff as you’re used to, this equates to plugging the leak. Start asking yourself if you really need I’m really need whatever it is you’re eyeing off, it might be a bargain but why get something for $10 because you perceive you’re saving $30 when you don’t really need it. Let me tell you something YOU’RE NOT SAVING $30 your spending $10. Come on stop being conned by all the eye candy and ask yourself if I don’t buy this item will my life be negatively impacted, will it kill me to go without it? Ask yourself will this item help me do a regular task quicker with less hassle? Do I have a home for it to be stored when not in use? Can I replace something else with it?

Now the equivilant of repairing the pump - is putting strategies into place to ensure that your are getting rid of stuff at the same rate that you’re acquiring it. Rather than buy all those cheap nick naks through-out the year, save that money and put it toward a holiday instead. After all when you get older what are you more likely to remember with fondness or remember at all for that matter? the great holiday you had with your family or some cheap item you didn’t really desire that got stuffed in a closet.

 That’s it for this time, in the next episode planning for your clutter diet.

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The following is a transcrpit of the 2 minute radio segments I present 3 times per week on 101FM You can listen in live via the website every Mon-Wed-Fri at 2:30PM AEST (Sun-Tue-Thur at 9:30PM PT  12:30AM ET 4:30AM GM)

Your big picture plan.
This is it this is where it all begins. THe first and most important thing to remember is to put your blinkers on to all the mess that currently exists and to focus! Now to keep this simple I’m approaching it based on the assumption that the entire house needs help. So let’s get started.
The plan: Your first step is to establish the purpose for each room in the house. By this I mean that you state on paper what room it is and what activities it’ll be used for. For eg - your dining area - perhaps right now it’s just one enormous dumping ground. After checking out all other options - you need a computer system & desk in there as well -  so your dining area is for dining and a home office. Now do you see what I mean? - go through each room and state it’s purpose and all the activities that it’ll be used for.
This process should involve the entire family save time by having each member do this task individually  this avoids lengthy doorway debates, then have a family powwow & come to a household decision about each space, Everybody’s opinions should be heard and everyone will more than likely need to compromise but the end result will be more harmonious for everyone.

Next on the sheet of paper for each room make a list of the items that are required to fulfill the purpose of that room, so for eg in the master bedroom - the purpose SHOULD be something like - a pleasant parental retreat for sleeping, relaxing.. and getting dressed. So all that needs to be in that room arebed, chair, dresser, closet for eg, anything else in the room like kids toys, the laundry, exercise machines need to be removed. - and so it goes for each room - Once completed THere’s your plan! Post it somewhere that everyone can refer to. This way if anyone wants to spend a few minutes decluttering they can refer to this plan without the need to seek advice - anything that’s in a space that isn’t on the list to stay there gets removed!

In the next episode what to do before you begin clearing clutter.

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Today I stumbled upon a blog where a woman has declared her intent to ‘kick the clutter’ and get organized. How wonderful! I shall follow her progress and see how she gets on. Her blog doesn’t seem to allow comments so I’m unable to post an encouragement directly so I’ll do it via here.

Here are her comments;

I confess, “I collect ’stuff’, I accumulate clutter and it is ‘taking over’ my home, my sanity, my air to breathe, my freedom to enjoy my life completely. I want to be free from the feelings of guilt, resentment and inadequacy of being neat and organised”

For me i think it is basically bad habits. I seem to have a constant desire to add to my collection of “stuff” and things just get put anywhere and everywhere, accumulating much too quickly. Then I find i have piles of stuff in places all over my home. I also find it very hard to throw things out or pass them on to someone else, “I might need them!!”

Goof luck Deb! and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

The following is a transcrpit of the 2 minute radio segments I present 3 times per week on 101FM You can listen in live via the website every Mon-Wed-Fri at around 2:30PM AEST (Sun-Tue-Thur at 9:30PM PT  12:30AM ET 4:30AM GM)

 The different methods you can use to rid yourself of clutter.

That’s it for this time next episode - How to plan your new clutter free home.

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