Do you ever find yourself thinking “How can I sort my life out?”
This is often one of the reasons that clients contact me as they have reached a point where they realise they need some help in trying to find the right balance for them in their lives or home. I have a feeling that after the new TV programme “Sort Your Life Out in 7 Days” which was on BBC One last night with Stacey Solomon, that more people may now be asking themselves this question.
If you feel overwhelmed with life/your home and just don’t know where to start, here are some tips to help.
1 – Start Small: Have you ever emptied your wardrobe onto the bed “as today is going to be the day you sort it” only to find yourself overwhelmed and leaving it all to another day? This is a reason to start small and building your decluttering muscles. You could start with one category, such as shoes or skirts and progress from there.
2 – Review: once you have your category, decide what you want to keep. What makes you feel good or has a practical use? By focusing on what you want to keep, you will feel more motivated than focusing on what you are letting go.
3 – Make your clutter count: by identifying places to donate or sell the items you no longer need, you will find it easier to say goodbye to items. Knowing that you are helping someone else in need or supporting a charity that you value, can help you get over the desire to keep everything “just in case” or “I spent a lot of money on this” when you just don’t use it. If you aren’t sure what to do with an item or whether anybody would want it, ask in your local Facebook Community or Eco Group, such as Eco Essex in my area. As the saying goes “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”.
4 – Storage: once you know what you are keeping, look at the best way to store it. Ideally, you want things to be in the room where you would use them, for example clothes in your bedroom, food items in the kitchen etc. Have items you use most often in the most accessible place and items you don’t use that much further out of reach. For example, in the kitchen you would everyday items in the lower cupboards but party dishes or glassware on the higher shelves – this also helps make sure children can’t access them.
By tackling one area at a time, you will start to reclaim your space and also be more conscious about what you bring into your home. You may not have a brand new home in 7 days but you can begin to restore the balance which is right for you and your circumstances. Your home should be a place where you can rest and create happy memories. If you would like look forward to spending time in your home again, rather than feeling stressed about the clutter, get in touch for a free introductory call and let me help you sort your life out.
Louise Simpson is a Professional Organiser and Coach helping people reduce the feeling of overwhelm and get the time and space they need. She offers a range of support both virtually via Zoom and in Essex homes, to help with Organising, Decluttering and Productivity. You can find more about how she can help you improve your wellbeing here. She has been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Essex, selected Podcasts and is co-author on the Amazon bestseller “Ready to Rise”. She is also a proud member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers.
