Hello Friends!
Lets start the new year off with a BIG topic. A BIG declutter. You may not all have a huge space that needs help, but there is still learning and tips here! Since it’s the time of year if folks are generally interested in taking action, so I thought I would share some prep tips that will help you get a large declutter project off to a good start.
Newsletter Topic of the Month
The BIG Declutter
Earlier this week I worked on a larger project that included clearing out a large basement and single car garage declutter, about 800 square feet. The basement was one very large room.
It was a great project transformation, and the client was very pleased. But it got me to thinking…there is a lot of preparation that goes into a declutter like that, and not just purchasing supplies.
Whether doing this solo, with a helper or with a crew of friends/family/volunteers…it is really important to consider some important questions that will help the declutter go more smoothly, and then also some rules for anyone helping.
First it is important to remember that the person who needs the decluttering may be feeling very anxious or overwhelmed. They may feel afraid that helpers will throw things out without asking, that they may judge their situation, and they may really be worried they will get rid of things that are important, or they may need later. They may get overwhelmed if you are going to quickly, and they may need breaks because of that, and “decision fatigue” which is a very real reaction. So everyone needs to proceed with caution and remember, this is someone’s home and their belongings that are important to them.
Next, it is very important for one person to take the lead, whether the person decluttering, or another person that is the ‘go to”, or a professional declutterer. Many questions need to be asked beforehand, so the person decluttering is having their wishes met and respected. I’m off the opinion that things need to leave during the declutter. While I love gifting and Buy Nothing, a larger scale declutter is a lot of work, and leaving items behind waiting on others to claim things muddies the water. Some are as follows:
Where will the items go that are leaving?
Donate
Is it important to you that useable things are donated?
Is there a specific group or place they will be donating too? Or a place you do NOT want them to go?
How will the donations be delivered?
Who will be in charge or making sure they get delivered/picked up
Does someone have a vehicle large enough to haul items?
How will you make sure that items are not bagged up but never make it to the donation center?
Trash
Do you just want to trash things and get over it with? (some folks do, and I understand).
How will the trash be dealt with? (We filled three pickup loads with a canopy to the brim).
Who will haul it?
What are the trash costs? Our three loads were just shy of $200.
If things are going to the dump, make sure you know the dump hours and items they may not take.
Do you need a dumpster? Call and price them, they charge by the day, among other charges, so you want to have it onsite only the days you really need it. Dumpsters come in sizes from 5 yard (pretty small) to grocery store level.
Recycling
Is it important to them that things be recycled?
Where will excess go that doesn’t fit in the weekly recycling bins?
Where is the nearest recycle center or drop off for overflow?
Gifted items
Sometimes helpers will take things you no longer want, you need to have some “rules” around this to make sure they leave.
Items that don’t leave just add to the clutter.
Help
Who will be involved? It is just you, a small team, something else?
This can be family, friends, or hired people too.
The “RULES”
Are the spaces or areas that are off limits?
Are there other people that have some say in what goes?
Can helpers take things with permission that you don’t want? If they do, they go THAT DAY. Have them take it to their car.
As donation boxes and bags are filled, load them in a vehicle for delivery, make a run each time the car is full. We made 6 runs.
Take out the trash and load into a dumpster or vehicle and have the dumpster picked up or the dump load hauled.
Helpers need to refrain from “well intentioned” comments like “Oh don’t get rid of that” or similar like “you might need it”…you might need a lot of things, that is often what gets us into clutter situations.
The main goals are that you have help, a plan and that anything leaving, leaves quickly! While the planning process may sound a little harsh, mostly the “rules”, this is the most successful way to clear a space.
Next month, we will talk more about the big declutter day and also, how to maintain the newly decluttered space.
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Facebook group – Declutter and Resize – Bigger Living Smaller Space
Product(s) of the Month:
These bins are ideal for long term storage. Costco will also have these sometimes throughout the year.
An even better solution for long term. The shelving really helps if you end up needing to get into lower bins.
Clear bin option. We used these style bins for organizing sewing fabric stashes and other craft supplies.
Heavy duty trash bags are a must.
Clear trash bags for recycling or donation runs.
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