Article by Martha Tobin as posted in the August issue of the Glebe report and OSCAR paper
What if….Decluttering and Organizing was like gardening.
This is the time of year when we all want to spend time outdoors and tending our gardens
instead of tackling the ‘stuff’ in our basement, garage, shed or attic. In fact, the very thought
of tackling those areas can seem very overwhelming.
Here are a few tips and tricks for approaching decluttering and organizing as you would
gardening:
- Similar to pulling up those weeds that are strangling your other garden plants, focus
on the items of trash in the area you want to declutter and separate those items out
for disposal or recycling. - By preparing your soil with compost and manure, you increase your soil quality and
give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive. Preparing to declutter and organize
is key too when tackling an area of your home. Have some cardboard boxes,
garbage bags and bins on hand so that you can sort items more easily. - Understanding your soil’s drainage in a garden contributes to a more lush garden.
The same can be said when decluttering and organizing in that understanding what
your vision is for that space you are working in, allows you to work towards that goal. - In your garden paying attention to how much sunlight your plants need is key. When
organizing, ask yourself what items you need on a daily basis versus weekly or
monthly and then set up your space so that the items you need the most often are
the most accessible. - By clearing out those plants that are not thriving in your garden, you are able to
showcase those that do. The same is true for decluttering and organizing in that by
letting go of those items you no longer need, use, love or want, you are able to focus
on those things that matter most to you.
Gardening is good for the soul. It improves our overall wellbeing by increasing our optimism,
our self-esteem and boosting our positivity. The same can be said about organizing and
decluttering those spaces in your home that are making you feel fenced in and weighed
down. By tackling these areas you will feel lighter, more focused with less feelings of stress
and overwhelm. And like gardening, donating items is good for the soul as it ensures items
have a second life with others in need in our community.
Martha Tobin is the owner of Declutter4Good
Martha@julian
