Especially frustrating if space is tight.
Sometimes, the problem is not too much stuff. I’ve had clients feel ashamed about “too much stuff” when in fact, I can see with an outsider’s eye, the problem is too little storage. Often an issue in older dwellings. Or, they’ve downsized to a new unit and had no input on the design of the cupboards and closets supposed to meet their needs.
As you get older, maybe those really high cupboards are just too high, and the idea of getting down on your knees to reach back into the corner cupboard in the kitchen is a bridge too far. Your knees ache at the thought.
So, what are the solutions?
1. Getting those difficult cupboards emptied and taking inventory of what you own.
2. Gathering like-with-like. Think batteries, food, cleaning and beauty products, tools…and so on.
3. Checking use-by dates and condition, then
4. Culling what no longer serves a purpose.
5. Decide where you want to keep these things, based on regularity of use and where you use them.
6. Decide where the things that no longer serve a purpose are going. Donation, recycling or appropriate disposal. Delaying this decision still means too much stuff!
7. Decide how you might keep track of what you have so you don’t fall into the same trap again.
8. Possibly…and I say possibly invest in select pieces of storage to help keep the things that you own accessible but safely out of the way. You might find you actually have the space to store what you need.
Obvious steps I know, but sometimes just overwhelming to get underway, especially by yourself.
Yet try and imagine what your day-to-day life might look like on the other side of this process. Less time lost trying to find things. Less money spent on unnecessary replacements. Pride and enjoyment of your home.