Your goals form for Feb is ready over at my site. If you’re already signed up, you will have received the form this morning. Otherwise, when you sign up, it will be delivered to you in the welcome pack.

Happy planning

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On Saturday morning I tried to squeeze something into a cupboard and when it wouldn’t fit, I  just lost it.

I then chucked out stuff like crazy.

Why do I have four huge plastic salad bowls when I only ever use at most two at a time?

I use these ones for baking when it’s a 3 cups of flour or more recipe too, and of late, for my sweet and savoury snack mixes.

And that’s how it went.

I had a pile big enough for two grocery carrier bags on my table and told Nester (our cleaning lady) to please help herself to it all. Or otherwise, to toss!

I’ve been seriously decluttering and organising for just over 6 years now, as long as we’ve been in this house and it was my stinginess that started it.

I actually considered getting a kitchen cupboard built to house all my extra stuff and when they quoted me R5000-odd in those days, I nearly fainted.

But I did have an aha – those things I wanted stored weren’t nearly worth R5000 so why would I pay for storage to house rubbish that I probably wasn’t using anyway.

Let that be some inspiration for you!

What do you need to clear out this week?

PS Organise your home will help kick-start your decluttering journey.

I saw this excellent tip from Deniece Schofield’s book, Confessions of an Organized Homemaker, when I read it 5 years ago. And I have used it since – in fact, I’m still using the same roll of masking tape!

If you haven’t read this book yet, do yourself a favour and read it.

Masking tape makes the easiest labelling tool ever. Why?

1. your label can be as long or as short as you like
2. tape is flexible
3. it is easy to remove when you want to re-label a container
4. it is easy to write on

Some of the ways I use masking tape for labelling:

1. food in the freezer
2. fridge shelves
3. pantry shelves
4. storage containers
5. computer cords

labelling the shelves in my fridge

flour containers – btw, I write the best before date on the label too

Do you use masking tape in your house? Can you think of other uses?

Button by Tina – isn’t it gorgeous???

Take a deep breath.

Can you smell that lovely “new wood” smell of our new sideboard?

I was so excited to finally get this that I skipped gym to organise it. Wasn’t a hard sell, trust me. But I can’t live with a mess and all my stuff was on the dining room table while this beauty got moved into her new home.

We chose a very dark wood to match our dining room table. I like simple, practical furniture – no fuss!

There are four drawers on top with four cupboards underneath each drawer.

Drawer 1 – serviettes, serviette rings and coasters.

Drawer 3 – “good” cutlery and serving spoons

Drawer 4 – placemats (these are the ones I use when I set a proper table). The other everyday ones are in the kitchen. (store things where you use them)

Left side of cupboard – more mugs and entertainment stuff at the bottom

Right side of cupboard – two crockery sets and tablecloths

Home Organization—Avoid These Five Common Mistakes By Penny Johnson and Anne CalkinsTime and Space Unlimited LLC

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition. The warmer, brighter days prompt us to clear out our homes as we put away heavy coats and blankets. Decluttering and organizing seem to have a greater effect on our surroundings than just scrubbing and dusting. Indeed, getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40% of the housework in the average home, according to the National Soap and Detergent Association.
Five common mistakes can thwart your springtime organizing projects. Avoid these blunders as you strive for a clutter-free home.

MISTAKE #1 – Buying storage containers first. When most people make the decision to “get organized”, their first step is to head to the store and buy a variety of plastic boxes and drawer organizers. Soon they find they are overstocked with containers that don’t suit their needs— the containers become part of the clutter. Do your sorting and purging first, then you will know exactly which storage tools to buy. Measure your space, count your items, decide on your style, then purchase containers. You may be surprised to find you don’t need nearly as many boxes as you thought!

MISTAKE #2 – Keeping things for the wrong reasons. You are paying room and board for your stuff. Is your stuff earning its keep? As you sort through your possessions, question yourself: “What value does this item bring to my life?” Just because you received that ugly vase as a gift, or you inherited it from Aunt Betty, or you bought it cheap at a yard sale, doesn’t mean you have to keep it now. Allow yourself to sell, give away, or toss those things that have no positive meaning in your life.

MISTAKE #3 – Using the “miscellaneous” label. The definition of organization is the ability to find what you want when you want it. The gold standard is being able to find it in thirty seconds or less. Store like things together and you will be able to find things quickly. Instead of tossing all of your tools into a miscellaneous box, for example, sort them into type: screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, etc. Now you can grab exactly the right tool without rummaging through the miscellaneous pile.

MISTAKE #4 – Ignoring your personal style. Are you an “innie” or an “outie”? If you crave clear counter and desk space, with everything tucked into closets and drawers, you are an “innie.” If you need to have everything out where you can see it, and you fear you will forget something if it is in a closed drawer, you are an “outie.” Either style is acceptable as long as you plan for it. An “innie” needs sturdy file cabinets, drawer organizers, cupboards and closets with doors, opaque containers, and lidded baskets for storing possessions. An “outie” needs open shelves, clear containers, clear desktop trays and file holders, baskets without lids, and tool turnabouts. Using storage solutions that match your style will help you stay organized.

MISTAKE #5 – Neglecting a maintenance routine. Remember when your high school science teacher taught you about entropy, the tendency for things to fall apart when left alone? Entropy can undo all of your organizing triumphs. If you are going to put the effort into getting organized, you are going to want to stay organized. Build a “maintenance plan” into your daily routine to keep your things in order. Choose something you know you will do regularly, and tie an organizing project to it. Make it a new rule that you cannot brush your teeth until you have spent five minutes decluttering your bedroom. Use the commercial breaks during your favorite TV show to sort household paperwork. Before you mow the lawn each week, straighten the garage.

Welcome springtime with a clutter-free home. Then go outside and enjoy the sunshine and flowers!
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Note: The preceding article may be copied or published without obligation or payment to the authors, as long as this ending author resource box is printed with the article
AUTHOR RESOURCE BOX:Penny Johnson and Anne Calkins are professional organizers with Time and Space UnlimitedLLC, Baraboo Wisconsin. For a free copy of their idea-pak for seasonal organizing projects, contact them at 608-356-2089 or visit their website www.timeandspaceunlimited.com