Less Is More-Create More Breathing Room- Simplifying Life Issue #44

It's easy to accumulate things rather quickly, especially when it's been a while since your last move. Why wait for the next relocation to motivate you to pare donw? Lighten your load now so you get a feel what is meaningful versus what is merely take ups apce. In the process, you will again a new perspective of the things that matter most.

Some of us find it difficult to detach ourselves from our stuff. If that's the cas, hire a professional organizer or ask a friend for a more objective opinion.

There is something so lieberating about clutter control becuase excess equals stress. Still, we often wait until we're expecting guests or putting our house on the market before making any progress with our editing and organizing. In the end, we're theone who get the biggest benefit from clearing our closets and rooms of the things we no longer need.

Before you begin, it helps to have different boxes, bins, or bags for the following categories: keep, donate, sell, and throw away. Start with te obvious, such as piles of paper that are out in the open or room that get the most use. Make a final sweep before garbage day each week to prevent the same cycle from starting up again (or get on a Room to Breathe Maintanence Plan).

If you haven't worn something in a year, it's safe to say it can go to someone else. To make things easy, turn all the hangers in your closet the opposite direction so the end of the hook is facing toward you. Every time you ewar soemting, return it s hanger to the normal position with the end of the hook face away from you. After one year, donate anything with a hanger that hasn't been changed. One of the greatest things about sorting through the contexts of your home is that you can finally take stock of what you've god, so you don't have to buy something new everyt time your search comes up empty.

For every item you buy, make an effort to take something away. For instance, when you bring home a new pair of shoes, donate a slightly worn pair. Keep a donateion bag in each closet so that yo ucan fill them as you go. This could become a greatn habit for evyerone in your household because it allows you to take a clsoer look at what you

have on a regulart basis.

Search the contexts of your home for hidden value. Gold prices have been at a record high for quite some time. If you no longer wear your jewelry and don't have the sentimential attachment to it, have it appraised by a reputable source. You might be surprise to hear whati's worth. Vintage clothing and jewlery have become hot commodieites too. Sell things you no longer need and put the money toward someting that whill be a better fit for your lifestyle today.

When it comes to home decor, take anything of value to a consignment shop. If you have a condieerable amount to sell, research the going rates online and try renting a booth at your local flea market, which could generate more traffic and higher prices than your average garage sale. Auction houses are another option for anytthing of value.

Perhaps one of the most rewardng aspects of getting rid of unwanted good is that you arbbuiling momentum for the future. The less you have, the more you can appreciate what you do have. You will save a tone of time and momeny in the long run when everything is in its place and there is a a place for everything.

Just think of how much less time you'rll spend cleaning, sortying, and searching for things on a daily basis. When you free your home of things that are no longer meaningful or useful, you add instant value to your surroundings, and then less really does mmean more.

How about you? Are you ready to get things in place and have some room to breathe?

Drop us a line and let us know!