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Week 1 - Organise your living space
A messy/cluttered home can slow us down and increase stress levels. Most of us spend far too much time looking for things, and how many times have you gazed in horror at the state of your kitchen and felt instantly down or stressed? This week's section hopes to help you make your living space more user friendly!
Task 1 - De-clutter/De-junk
Your first task is to sort out what are your essential items, and what is either junk or clutter. You will need 5 cardboard boxes. Label each box as follows:
1) Essential - these will be items you absolutely need and use on a regular basis.
2) Seasonal - these will be items that are needed, but are only needed at certain times of the year.
3) Sentimental - these could be photos, memento, an old teddy bear etc.. You should try to limit yourself to one small box for these if possible. Also, make sure you only keep items that make you feel good/happy. Sentimental items should boost your emotions, not drain them.
4) Clutter - items that you don't use, but are in good condition. These could be sold on ebay or at a boot fair, be given to a charity shop or passed on to friends/family.
5) Junk - items that are broken or no use to anyone. These could be recycled or in worse case scenario put in the bin.
Now you have your boxes, go through each room in your home and sort your possessions into the boxes. Try to be as ruthless as possible. Only handle each item once or you'll be there all day!
When you have sorted through each room, deal with the contents of the boxes.
- Essential items should be organised and kept in easy reach.
- Seasonal items should be packed neatly into boxes, labelled clearly and put away until needed.
- Sentimental items should (if possible) be displayed.
- Clutter items should be sold or given away.
- Junk items should be recycled or thrown away.
Task 2 - Evaluate each room
You should now go to each room in your home and evaluate it. Think about how you use each room and whether it could be improved to accommodate this. I have made further notes on each room and supplied printable task lists.
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Living Room
1) Are the surfaces and windows clean?
2) Are magazines/newspapers tidy? Do you need a magazine rack?
3) Does anything need repairing?
4) Are your DVD's/Videos tidy and displayed appropriately?
5) Would a plant or some flowers brighten the room and cheer you up?
Master Bedroom
1) Sort through your clothes - Do they all fit? Do you wear everything? Are any clothes tatty? Are any clothes out-dated?
2) Are your clothes hung up, neatly folded and easy to get at? Is your wardrobe organised into sections e.g. colours, clothes type? Are accessories organised and displayed well?
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3) Is your bed made? Are your sheets clean and matching?
4) Does anything need repairing?
5) How do you wake up in the morning? Would you wake up in a better mood if you set your stereo to wake you up with your favorite song?
6) Is everything you need to get ready in the morning easy to get to and in a logical place?
Child's Bedroom
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1) Are clothes neatly folded/hung up and organised into clothing groups?
2) Are toys tidied away into toy boxes, draws, cupboards, shelves or toy hammocks?
3) Is there a comfortable, clear space for your child to read/do homework?
4) Does anything need repairing?
Bathroom
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1) Are the sink, toilet, bath, shower and tiles clean and free from limescale and mould?
2) Are your beauty products tidy and organised? When was the last time you went through your make-up and got rid of old and broken items?
3) Are your medicines organised, in-date and out of reach of children?
Kitchen
1) Is all your food in-date?
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2) Are your cupboards organised into food types, appliance types etc..?
3) Are your utensils neatly organised in draws or on hangers?
4) Do you do the washing up/load the dish washer straight after meals?
5) Do you keep a shopping list on the fridge/notice board and note down whenever you run out of something?
When you have evaluated each room, carry out the tasks on your lists. Maybe you could enlist the help of your family or friends?