The Joy of Decluttering

Fear not, I am not going for another career change and stepping into the wonderful world of professional decluttering.  As a life long hoarder, I know my limitations.  That said at the beginning of this year when we were just starting into our third and most severe lockdown I had a burst of energy in early January and swept through the apartment stripping the shelves of books that I had either read or knew I would never read and boxed them up along with DVDs, ornaments and some ‘token’ clothes – the clothes I knew, were going to be a whole project in themselves…  

Where did this sudden need to declutter come from?  Well aside from the usual new year rush of blood to the head, I had decided in November I should move to Lisbon and see out the pandemic from there.  All my yoga, Pilates and fitness classes were fully online and I love Lisbon and airbnb rentals were hugely discounted.   Why not?  That was it.  Decision made.  I was doing it.  Anyone I mentioned it to thought it was a wonderful idea and were mad with envy.  Yay, go me.   So what stopped me?  Well I hadn’t quite figured out all the details but the thought of what I would do with all my STUFF put a stop to my gallop. 

All this stuff I had accumulated over the years was completely weighing me down.  The stress of figuring out what I was going to do with it was keeping me awake at night.  The Lisbon idea got put on ice and I got back to sleep, but the need to declutter seed had been planted.  

After my initial January purge the apartment looked much neater and I was very pleased with my work, but because the charity shops were closed even though all the items were boxed up, they were still taking up space in the apartment and kind of in my head as well.  With the cold grey days of January and the least fun of all the lockdowns, my motivation to sweep the decks went from 60 to zero.

Although my de-cluttering had come to a grinding halt, I figured I would augment my efforts slightly by listening to Marie Kondo’s book ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’.  This was interesting and I definitely picked up some useful tips but in places it sounds like her constant need to create order was almost a disorder.

I also watched The Minimalists documentary on Netflix, which reported the fact that the average American household has more than 300,000 items and maintain that the reason we accumulate all this ‘stuff’ is because we think it will make us happy.  These two guys got rid of most of their worldly goods and felt their lives improved exponentially because of it.  

As May drew closer, the restriction I was most excited about being lifted was essential retail – which would allow me access to the charity shops.  As serendipity would have it the week prior to that, I received an email from Rhoda of Designer Rooms who was offering wardrobe edits, an opportunity to de-clutter and rethink your wardrobe.  This was a no brainer for me.  Within minutes I had booked a session.  I had met Rhoda a few years and subsequently rented a designer dress from Designer Rooms for a wedding.  This woman knew her way around a wardrobe and was the epitome of patience and I also figured it’d be a bit of craic.

We discussed beforehand what my goal was for my wardrobe and I sent her a picture of my wardrobe(s)which were exploding with clothes.  In spite of the pictures, she still showed up.  We methodically went through everything in the wardrobes until there was a giant clothes mountain on my bed. With care and diplomacy and just the right degree of firmness (from Rhoda) we started to eliminate.  There were so many items that I had held onto for years some for sentimental reasons, others because I really liked them but they were verging toward tatty or had gone passed that point and moved on to raggy. 

Four sacks of clothes and a big box of shoes and boots later we were done.  Rhoda had completely re-organised the wardrobes so they no longer looked like TK maxx’s sale rails and more like a boutique – with actual space between the hangers.

This all took around 4 hours.  But I didn’t stop there. When Rhoda left I continued on my roll.  With new eyes I realised there was so much more stuff around the apartment that I had missed the first time around that could go.  What started at 10.00 on a Saturday morning finished at 8.30 that night. 

The following muggy May Monday morning I skipped along to the charity shops – or as much as you could skip while carrying heaving boxes and bags.  I had cleared out various pots and pans and along with other items these went to the recycling on the way home.  I got back to my apartment a sweaty mess but most definitely feeling lighter and liberated.

Rhoda followed up with an email and wardrobe moodboard about how I could consider putting existing items together as outfits and l have definitely put more thought into this in the last couple of months.

 The apartment declutter continues in spurts, but my bedroom has stayed mostly neat and tidy since Rhoda’s visit and I no longer spend a large part of time trying to find things that I have mindlessly mislaid.  One of the benefits of the declutter apart from more space is just more awareness about where I’m putting things but also because I appreciate that space I’m much more mindful about maintaining it and not replacing it with more clothes/clutter or automatically saying yes when someone offers me something e.g. the yogurt maker that they bought but have never used.

I heard on the radio today that ‘maxilism’ in home decor is now becoming a trend, which I’m kind of surprised about. For me, I have found the great clear out of 2021 a way of simplifying my life which I want to continue with, being kinder int he long run to the environment and without a doubt it has a positive effect on my mental health.

By the way would anyone like a yogurt maker that has never been used?

Suggestions for a Dirty Weekend in January

In Ireland one of the downsides (albeit a very small downside) to a glorious Saturday or Sunday is we feel morally obliged to make the most of it with outdoor activities or suffer the guilt of being inside and ‘wasting the day’.  So let’s look at how we can make the most of a dirty weekend. Yes I’m talking weather-wise – apologies to anyone who feels they’ve been mislead by the title.

It’s January – if you haven’t done it already  now’s the time to take the tree down - really, waiting til Easter isn't the answer...even if it is particularly early this year.  Wrap all the decorations up and stick them under the stairs or in the attic or wherever until next December.

De-clutter!  I’ve taken to using organising consultant (yep that’s a thing), Marie Kondo’s mantra ‘if it doesn’t spark joy’ chuck it – and my bedroom has benefitted hugely – it looks about twice the size as it did before I started – not only will this give you more space but it really is great for your head space too.  Argos currently have canvas storage boxes – two for €4.99 which are fantastic for making the most of shelf space. 

Speaking of headspace – meditation – you’ve been meaning to try that for ages right? Download the headspace app and give it a whirl.  The first ten days are free. I’m a recent convert and can’t recommend it highly enough.  The other day I was just thinking to myself how much more present I feel, having started a daily (well...almost) meditation…and subsequently spent the following 15 minutes looking for my keys having mindlessly thrown them somewhere…it’s a work in progress.

Cooking – that cookbook you got for Christmas or recipe you spied online – what a perfect day to try it out.  Also an opportunity to do some batch cooking and stock the freezer for the week - oh look at you oh so organised!

Read a book – I love a good read, but find it’s usually something I do when I’m about to go to sleep so I’m only a couple of pages in and I conk out.   How about curling up on the couch all nice and cosy like and really getting stuck in and don't feel guilty.

It’s January – we're hanging on for dear life until payday, so think of this as a great opportunity to stay in and save some cash…if this is your aim then ignore the next suggestion…

Research – planning to go on holidays this year? What better way to get yourself through these initially dreary days than having a jaunt to look forward to.  Whether it’s a weekend or a longer event, staycation or awaycation, this is the perfect kind of day to do some research and maybe even some booking. 

In need of some exercise but dare not venture outside?  Try one of the many online fitness class – HIIT, Pilates, Yoga you name it there’s something available.  Personally I like Yoga with Adrienne, TX Yoga, the body coach (although I find Joe Wicks' hair distracting - how can it be so beautiful?), Bodyfit by Amy and PilatesAnytime.

That 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle you got for Christmas? Now’s your opportunity to get at least one corner of it done.

When that rain finally abates, grab your coat and get some fresh air.  You’ll be ready for it.