Decluttering and Self-care
Self care has become an important topic of conversation over the last few years, and it could not have happened at a better time.
Decluttering & Self-care
Most of us strive to be as productive as we possibly can in our days, which often restricts our available time to engage in any kind of self care. In the hustle and bustle of it all, it’s easy to overlook the little things in our surroundings that add to our stress and frustration.
As you become more aware of the many ways we can engage with self care practices, your home is one of the best places to start. When focusing on your living space, what can seem like a small change can create a ripple effect on your mental health, family and environment.
Making your home a functional space allows you to spend more time on the people and things that matter in your day to day activities. If the project seems daunting, or too big of a task to tackle on your own, consider getting some help from a professional home organizer.
Here are some of the areas in your environment you can start with. Are these spaces working as best as they could be for you and your family?
Where you rest
Your bedroom should be a place of calmness, where you come to rest and reflect. This is where you start and end your day, and this is why it is important that it does not feel cluttered or overwhelming in any sense.
Fern's Tip for your bedroom:Keep all surfaces clear of visual clutter, especially next to your bed and on your dresser. Store the items you need regularly in a drawer close by or a basket so it is hidden from sight.
Where you get dressed
Making yourself look and feel beautiful should (and can be) a hassle free process! If you're detangling jewellery to get to your favorite pair of earrings, or sorting through the entire wardrobe for the sweater you’re looking for, perhaps it’s time for a reset.
Fern's Tip for your wardrobe:Declutter your wardrobe every 6 months - if you haven’t worn something in over a year, ask yourself - “Do I really love it or need it?”. Zone your wardrobe into work clothes, active wear, casual wear and dressy wear. This helps you to find items quickly, saving you time and keeping you calm.
Where you prepare meals
Whether you’re preparing a family meal or hosting a dinner party, this is one area of the home we spend a lot of time in. A functional kitchen space means everything you have is organized efficiently, is easy to find, and allows you to enjoy cooking up a storm in a clutter-free environment.
Fern's Tip for your kitchen:Ensure frequently used items are easy to access using turntables, drawers, hooks and keeping them at the front of shelves. Make zones throughout your kitchen so it is quick to find and store items. Some zones may include baking, appliances, pantry, tea/coffee corner and school lunch boxes and bottles.
Where you store your items
The extra items in your home that are packed into a spare room or cupboard can easily become a mess. These spaces are usually considered “out of sight, out of mind”, however, we know that’s not necessarily true. Navigating your way through the goods you’re holding on to can be made easier by using the space you have as best as possible, avoiding excess clutter.
Fern's Tip for your storeroom:Any storeroom should be organized according to the frequency of use.. Which items belong in long-term storage (a year or more), medium-term storage and short-term storage? Label and arrange these items in containers with the short-term storage closest to the front for access.
Where you tuck the kids in
How do such little people have so many things?! When lots of little things don’t have a place, it’s easy for things to get crowded in your children’s bedrooms. They change so quickly, and their environment needs to adapt and change with them as they grow.
Fern's Tip for your children's bedroom:For a child to be calm, they need a calm bedroom. Keep toys and books in clearly defined areas that children can access. Labelled baskets are great for these, as children can see what is in them and store things away themselves. Give your child’s room a good declutter every 6 months and donate unwanted toys, books and clothes.
Where you spend time together
Your living area is where you come together as a family, but also where you entertain your guests. This space should be warm and welcoming, and clutter can easily distract from these qualities (no matter how lovely those throw cushions are). A functional living space easily accommodates your family and lifestyle.
Fern's Tip for your living space:Remove all clutter off surfaces. Bowls and baskets are clutter magnets so limit the use of these. Make sure items in the living room are purposeful to the living room to keep it a calm and peaceful space.
Where you work
More than ever before, people are working from home full time. This means that the line between your work and living space can get a bit blurry every now and then. Working in a crowded area isn’t going to work long term - you need a space that allows you to be productive.
Fern's Tip for your home office:Your home office should make you proud when you step into it. Have organized filing systems with allocated storage for stationary, paperwork and other resources. Put at least two plants around your office to calm the space and hang some inspirational artwork. At the end of the day, always tidy your desk, clearing all clutter.
Headed by professional home organizer, wife, mother and teacher - Calm The Clutter invites you to fall in love with your space again.
Start with one area, and work your way through your home from there. You need an organized, clutter-free solution for your home that is going to be easy to maintain.
More importantly, it will be a joy to create space for the life you want to live.
Self care has become an important topic of conversation over the last few years, and it could not have happened at a better time.
Decluttering & Self-care
Most of us strive to be as productive as we possibly can in our days, which often restricts our available time to engage in any kind of self care. In the hustle and bustle of it all, it’s easy to overlook the little things in our surroundings that add to our stress and frustration.
As you become more aware of the many ways we can engage with self care practices, your home is one of the best places to start. When focusing on your living space, what can seem like a small change can create a ripple effect on your mental health, family and environment.
Making your home a functional space allows you to spend more time on the people and things that matter in your day to day activities. If the project seems daunting, or too big of a task to tackle on your own, consider getting some help from a professional home organizer.
Here are some of the areas in your environment you can start with. Are these spaces working as best as they could be for you and your family?
Where you rest
Your bedroom should be a place of calmness, where you come to rest and reflect. This is where you start and end your day, and this is why it is important that it does not feel cluttered or overwhelming in any sense.
Fern's Tip for your bedroom:Keep all surfaces clear of visual clutter, especially next to your bed and on your dresser. Store the items you need regularly in a drawer close by or a basket so it is hidden from sight.
Where you get dressed
Making yourself look and feel beautiful should (and can be) a hassle free process! If you're detangling jewellery to get to your favorite pair of earrings, or sorting through the entire wardrobe for the sweater you’re looking for, perhaps it’s time for a reset.
Fern's Tip for your wardrobe:Declutter your wardrobe every 6 months - if you haven’t worn something in over a year, ask yourself - “Do I really love it or need it?”. Zone your wardrobe into work clothes, active wear, casual wear and dressy wear. This helps you to find items quickly, saving you time and keeping you calm.
Where you prepare meals
Whether you’re preparing a family meal or hosting a dinner party, this is one area of the home we spend a lot of time in. A functional kitchen space means everything you have is organized efficiently, is easy to find, and allows you to enjoy cooking up a storm in a clutter-free environment.
Fern's Tip for your kitchen:Ensure frequently used items are easy to access using turntables, drawers, hooks and keeping them at the front of shelves. Make zones throughout your kitchen so it is quick to find and store items. Some zones may include baking, appliances, pantry, tea/coffee corner and school lunch boxes and bottles.
Where you store your items
The extra items in your home that are packed into a spare room or cupboard can easily become a mess. These spaces are usually considered “out of sight, out of mind”, however, we know that’s not necessarily true. Navigating your way through the goods you’re holding on to can be made easier by using the space you have as best as possible, avoiding excess clutter.
Fern's Tip for your storeroom:Any storeroom should be organized according to the frequency of use.. Which items belong in long-term storage (a year or more), medium-term storage and short-term storage? Label and arrange these items in containers with the short-term storage closest to the front for access.
Where you tuck the kids in
How do such little people have so many things?! When lots of little things don’t have a place, it’s easy for things to get crowded in your children’s bedrooms. They change so quickly, and their environment needs to adapt and change with them as they grow.
Fern's Tip for your children's bedroom:For a child to be calm, they need a calm bedroom. Keep toys and books in clearly defined areas that children can access. Labelled baskets are great for these, as children can see what is in them and store things away themselves. Give your child’s room a good declutter every 6 months and donate unwanted toys, books and clothes.
Where you spend time together
Your living area is where you come together as a family, but also where you entertain your guests. This space should be warm and welcoming, and clutter can easily distract from these qualities (no matter how lovely those throw cushions are). A functional living space easily accommodates your family and lifestyle.
Fern's Tip for your living space:Remove all clutter off surfaces. Bowls and baskets are clutter magnets so limit the use of these. Make sure items in the living room are purposeful to the living room to keep it a calm and peaceful space.
Where you work
More than ever before, people are working from home full time. This means that the line between your work and living space can get a bit blurry every now and then. Working in a crowded area isn’t going to work long term - you need a space that allows you to be productive.
Fern's Tip for your home office:Your home office should make you proud when you step into it. Have organized filing systems with allocated storage for stationary, paperwork and other resources. Put at least two plants around your office to calm the space and hang some inspirational artwork. At the end of the day, always tidy your desk, clearing all clutter.
Headed by professional home organizer, wife, mother and teacher - Calm The Clutter invites you to fall in love with your space again.
Start with one area, and work your way through your home from there. You need an organized, clutter-free solution for your home that is going to be easy to maintain.
More importantly, it will be a joy to create space for the life you want to live.
