The artist Georgia O’Keefe wouldn’t bring a new item into her home unless she got rid of an item first. The Japanese have a national holiday dedicated to purging unwanted items from homes and offices. Take a look around your space and ask yourself if it's time to tackle the least expensive interior design project ever -- clearing the clutter from your house. It's the best way you can start the new year.
Clearing the clutter from your home is inexpensive, but it's not easy to purge. I asked author DeAnna Radaj about the techniques she teaches in her De-Cluttering seminars. She advises that EACH ITEM needs to be met with the following three questions.
- Do I love it?
- Do I use it?
- Do I need it?
If you answer NO to any of the questions, the item MUST GO. There should be 3 piles, or bags, in which to place items once their fate is established: KEEP, SELL or DONATE, and TOSS. Once a decision has been made, there is no going back.
Purging can be a daunting task, and if you're nervous or overwhelmed about this project, start small. DeAnna suggests focusing on a drawer or a cabinet first. Thinking you can de-clutter your entire home in a weekend is not a realistic goal unless you're throwing everything into a dumpster.
Says DeAnna, "I actually did have a couple who attended a clutter workshop where the husband didn’t understand why they couldn’t go through their two-story home that they lived in for 30 years and complete a purge over the weekend!
When you start to purge, you must EMPTY out the drawer, cabinet, closet, box, or whatever you're focusing on. Don't just flip through hangers in your closet and decide what clothes to keep or not. Empty everything out on the floor or bed and pick up each item as you ask yourself the 3 questions, then place each item in the right pile. BE HONEST, and don't let quilt get the better of you.
Stay tuned as my next columns continue to flesh out DeAnna Radaj's clutter-purging process. Happy New Year, and here's hoping you have a clutter-free home in 2009!
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