The festive season is long behind us now and with the current situation still draining the nation, we do at least have spring to look forward to. And what better way to prepare for longer days and nicer weather than a really good clear out to make some space and get our homes looking lovely again?
I'm sure that many of you have utilised the various lockdowns to have a good clear out but if you're not one of them, there's obviously a reason for that! Don't be daunted; once you get started, you'll be right in the swing of things before you know it.
Here’s my simple process for getting it done:
1. Tackle one room at a time
2. Starting left to right, go through every cupboard, drawer, box or anywhere else you hide things away
3. Sort your items into four categories: Keep, Ditch, Sell and Donate
4. Work through each of the categories until you’re done!
Keep
It’s always easy to look at your stuff and decide that you want/need to keep all of it but that just won’t work. Every year you’ll end up with more and more things and have nowhere to keep them so try to be brutal with your decisions. There are a few questions that might help:
· Does it still fit / work?
· Do you have a newer version / more than one?
· Have you used it in the past year?
· Would you really miss it if it was gone / could someone else benefit more from it?
If you’re really honest when answering the above questions, the decision should be fairly simple…
Ditch
If you have been honest answering the above questions, then you should be left with a pile of things that you can get rid of. Don’t forget to consider though whether they fit into the other two categories (sell and donate). Items in your ‘ditch’ pile may no longer be of any value or use to you anymore but someone may benefit from them.
Sell
Some of the items you want to turn out may still have some value so you may be able to make a little money from them. There are various options you can try:
· eBay; the online portal to buy and sell everything and anything!
· Local newspapers / shop windows
· Gumtree
· Car Boot Sales
· Specialist shops for any items of particular interest or value
Donate
A great way to deal with your unwanted items is to offer them to friends and family who may have a use for them or to donate them to charity. There are charity shops in every town who will gladly take your unwanted items from you. Check with your local charity shops what items they will and won’t accept before turning up with a lorry load!
Finding the time to declutter is always difficult but you’ll be really pleased when the job is done. Sometimes the whole experience can seem daunting and would be much easier with a second opinion to hand. If that sounds like you, give Girl Friday a call – she’ll be more than happy to help!