Confessions of a Practical Blonde: How to lead a Clutter-Free Life
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I spent most of my workday going through old documents, reorganizing our storage space and then reorganizing my office. Some of the clutter had spilled into my office.
I've also participated in two tag sales this summer. Each spring and fall as I do my cleaning, I look at what I have been accumulating in "stuff" and decide what goes and what stays. My definition of "stuff" is those items I've accumulated over the last six months to a year that really aren't necessary or needed anymore. Stuff includes clothes, DVDs, magazines, tchotchkies, stuffed animals, shoes and books. I have too much stuff!
At the tag sale, I purge what I do not need and make a little money off the items. Of course, you never really get what you paid for something. Tag-sale customers are notorious for low balling, but I also understand why they offer you less. They are taking it off your hands and they are looking for a deal. In some cases, a steal.
Tag sales are filled with interesting characters, lots of haggling and some good stories. At the last tag sale I participated in, any time someone was interested in an item, I would declare "Everything must go, make me an offer!" It worked; I got rid of a lot of stuff. There were some important pieces that went for a lot less than they were worth, but if I let something go for a cheaper price, I did so because I knew that person would use the item.
I think about all of the stuff I've accumulated through the years and shudder. So much money spent on items that were barely used or worn. I probably could have paid off my student loans by now if I had been applying this shopping mantra: I ask myself before I buy an item whether I need it or if I want it. Guess what the answer is most of the time? Want.Being a Gemini comes in handy every once in awhile. It's at this point that I am able to turn to the twin personality that allows me to say you don't need this, it's just clutter and you'll never use it or wear it. And I can usually walk away. However, when there are shoes involved, the other twin (who is quite fond of shoes) really makes it hard for me to say no. I am happy to report that I recently resisted the impulse to buy the cutest sandals!
Keeping Up With the Joneses
Clutter and shopping is part of the American way of life. What were we told after Sept. 11? Everything is fine, go shop. As we see now, more and more folks are not able to just go shop anymore. They are having trouble just making the mortgage payment. The American dream is harder to obtain.
"I want what my neighbor has" is being replaced with "how can I feed my family this week?" I predict the latest and greatest HD TV, the new iPhone or iPod, or the Wii will see serious declines this shopping holiday season. People will be more concerned with how they are going to pay for the heating bill over the winter.
There is a movement afoot that encourages people to look at what they are buying and where they are buying items. Recent reports from the Salvation Army and Goodwill report an increase in shoppers. The impulse to buy something new versus something used is slowly being whittled away at.
Spotlight on Clutter
I have become a fan of the program "Clean House" on the Style Network. "Who wants a clean house," sings Niecy Nash, host of the program. Niecy is a comedic actress who appears regularly on "Reno 911" and she is a no-nonsense host when it comes to "foolishness and mayhem."
The premise of the show is simple: people who have a problem with clutter, collecting and disorganization in their homes get turned in by family or friends. The "Clean House" crew shows up and sets them straight. The cast includes designer Mark Brunetz (seriously does amazing transformations), yard-sale diva and organizing queen Trish Suhr and go-to guy Matt Iseman.
Interesting note: both Matt and Trish are also comedians. Matt has appeared on "Chelsea Lately on E!" and Trish has appeared on "Girls Behaving Badly" on Oxygen. The comic undertones and camaraderie make the show work.Niecy normally has to speak to the culprits of clutter and explain to them why it is better to live in an environment that is clutter free, organized and has a little style. Niecy usually has a card up her sleeve and is able to "gift" the culprits with something that can truly benefit their quality of home life. I haven't seen a show yet where she hasn't been able to convince a clutter culprit to give up his treasured collection or item.
A good portion of the show is dedicated to the persuasion of prying away and removing clutter. I watch as people struggle with parting with their treasured collections, a rocking chair that was their grandmother's and even an old Volkswagen Bug.
The end result is worth it though. The culprits come home to a clean, stylish, organized home and are encouraged to keep it that way. I'm pretty sure the thought of Niecy returning to a cluttered home is incentive enough to keep it that way.
The Fine Line Between Clutter and Memorabilia
I like to save memorabilia such as cards and concert tickets. I still have my first ticket to a Red Sox game. Try prying that from my hands! But I have a system that helps me stay organized and part with some sentimental items at the end of each year.
I bought a photo box and after each concert, birthday, holiday, play, party or event that I attend I place the ticket, photos, programs and cards in the box. Every New Year's Day, I go through the box and also my filing cabinet. I recycle and shred like a maniac. My shredder usually needs a few days to recover.
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I place the things I want to save in binders. I have photo albums for both my niece and nephew, each of my godchildren and general friends and family. I started the binders for the kids because I plan on embarrassing them when they graduate from high school and are about to embark on their adult life. The photo albums allow me to reminisce about each of them as well and be amazed at how fast time goes by.New Year's Day is about new beginnings, so I start off my New Year with a review of the past and then reflect on the coming year. I note the important birthdays, anniversaries or events that lie before me. I think it's a good practice.
So what's the lesson of today's column?
- Less is best. Before you buy something, ask yourself, "do I want this item or do I need it?"
- Start purging yourself of that clutter. It might be a good time to part with that collection of moldy TV Guides you've been keeping in the basement.
- Organize! It will only make your life easier.
- Instead of buying new, ask friends or family if they have the item you are interested in. Maybe you could borrow it. Or check out secondhand shops.
- Have a tag sale. And don't bring back into your house what you wanted to sell. Donate it to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. If it's broke, make sure it goes in the trash.
- Remember to recycle.
Now go to it. Get rid of that clutter!
