“It’s a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack” Lyrics by 4 Jacks and a Jill way back in 1968, but so pertinent right now. When we come out of this, and we will, we will have learnt lessons, we will have identified the important, we will have regrouped and reconnected. So let’s get ready…

My work week is spent assisting Seniors in their homes. Sometimes it’s about helping a Senior client declutter and reorganise their retirement home. At other times I am assisting with the downsizing and moving process to a smaller home. There is always a discussion on what to keep, what to throw away or recycle and what to donate. Here are some tips to help you when you are ready to do this:

Moving is stressful at the best of times. Packing boxes, moving them and unpacking at the other side is tedious and time consuming. One of the ways to make this easier is to declutter before you move and only pack what you use and love. I encourage clients to start with 6 areas that will make a huge difference in your new home.

Please don’t leave me your clutter!

A few month’s ago I worked with a young woman who had lost her mom, and needed to clear out her home. She had called me in as her time was limited, and she needed to get the house sorted as quickly as possible. Even though she had visited her mom on a weekly basis, and been inside her home regularly, she was not prepared for the onslaught of stuff in cupboards, under beds, in boxes in top cupboards and the garage, along with paperwork and memorabilia in all corners of her mom’s home.

Years ago, right at the beginning of my career as a Professional Organiser, I started a list of things I came across while helping people declutter, downsize and move on. Things that meant something at some point in their lives, but things that were holding them back from a new chapter:

Here we are again working with an elderly couple who are downsizing from their family home to a retirement bedsit. The family are completely taken aback at how disorganised they are, how much stuff there is and how difficult it is for them to let go. This is not unique! We see this time and again when assisting Seniors with a move or simple declutter. With that in mind, I thought this was worth sharing again!

What does it actually mean?

For those of you who missed it, this is an organising article that appeared in the June issue of Garden and Home magazine. I had such fun with a colleague, Saskia Wild and the Garden and Home team in the home of a lovely client.

It’s exciting to show off what can be done with a little bit of sorting, decluttering and organising!

I hope you enjoy reading the article as much as we enjoying putting it together. Even more, I would love to know that the article inspired you to get sorted too!

Click here to view the pdf

We spend our working days assisting seniors with downsizing and moving into smaller homes or retirement complexes. The decluttering and letting go always comes first, and then the move. The process is the same with each home, and the progress is similar.

Often the decluttering gets off to a good start as we decide on the furniture, cushions, curtains and rugs that will go to the new home. We usually sail through kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets and excess linen. Paperwork and clothing take a little longer but we get through it with plenty of breaks for tea. And then we come to a grinding halt!

There are 5 categories that our clients really struggle with and that take the most time. Over the years we have found ways to help clients make these decisions. Here are some ideas:

1. Sentimental items

There is a limited amount of space in the new home, so it’s important to be selective when choosing the sentimental items you want to take with you.

• Make sure you will have somewhere to display or have to hand those items so you can appreciate them every day.
• Have a small memory box for special letters and cards that can be stored in a cupboard.
• Pass on other items to family members who would appreciate them.
• If it’s helpful take photos of items you are letting go.

2. Presents

A gift is chosen with care and given freely with love.

• It is important to accept the gift in the spirit in which it was given.
• But after that, it’s up to you what you do with it.
• Letting it go does not diminish your feelings for the gift giver.

3. Photos

People often see photos as their most treasured possessions. Yet, so often they are stored in no order or care in boxes, bags and cupboards.

• Now it the time to go through them and let go all the photos that have no meaning any longer, the photos that are blurred or spoilt, and photos of people and places you don’t recognise.
• Ensure that the photos you keep are labelled and dated for the next generation.
• Remember, a few great photos you look at often is far better than boxes or albums of photos you will never look at.

4. Inherited items

You will find you don’t want or can’t keep all the inherited items but feel disrespectful and ungrateful letting them go. But is it honouring the person if those items are left in storage, or in the back of a cupboard?

• Ask your children what they would like
• Be clear about who inherits what at a later stage
• Pass heirlooms on in your lifetime if you no longer need them

5. Collections

It’s easy to let collecting slip over from pleasure to compulsion. Now is the time to prune out your collections you have outgrown and will have no place in your new home.

• Limit the number you keep. One or two pieces will act as a reminder of the original collection
• Let the entire collection go if it no longer relevant or brings you joy
• Display the ones you keep and enjoy them daily!

Remember that the goal is a new home that is comfortable and easy to manage and maintain. You do want your favourite things around you, but you don’t want a cluttered home that is high maintenance.

What is your decluttering stumbling block?

Can’t let go of your things? Excuses I hear every day!

This week the All Sorted team has been working with a client struggling to let go of stuff. She has a newly renovated home and really wants to have a clean, fresh and uncluttered look. And she is using all the excuses in the clutter book!

As a professional organizer, I hear the same excuses all the time. So today we are going to tackle five excuses head on:

1. I might need it one day

Maybe you will! But, it’s very likely that you won’t if you haven’t needed it up til now. My question is: What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen if you did let it go? Could you get another one, borrow one or actually do without?