May 19, 2017

You’ve Heard The Term, But What Is Decluttering?

I love to be organised.

So much so, that when I was a child, one of my nicknames was ‘Little Miss Organised’ (along with ‘Bossy Boots’, but I’m still trying to forget that one!). My room wasn’t always perfect but whenever I needed to do an assignment, everything had to be in its proper place before I could start. I couldn’t work with mess around me, and I’m still the same now. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “tidy space, tidy mind.” Look around you now. Go on, take a look. How does the space make you feel? Is it neat and orderly, with every item in its home? Or are there constant reminders of tasks to do; things to be put away? If your home doesn’t make you feel the way you want to, perhaps it’s time for a change?

It was 2011 when I felt the winds of change blow. While resettling into life back in Brisbane after a short stint in Townsville, ‘Little Miss Organised’ morphed from dream into reality. I was a Primary School Teacher with a passion for organising and all things orderly. When taking over a new classroom I would declutter, organise and clean every nook and cranny so that I knew what I had and where it all lived. I would release the broken, the out of date, the irrelevant items and rearrange each cupboard with items from the same categories. Reading books went together. Spare stationary shared a space. Paintbrushes and art smocks became roommates. Starting afresh helped me control the spaces and be more in control of my work. I always felt invigorated after organising; so motivated! I felt like I could achieve anything and I wanted others to feel the same way. That’s why I started Little Miss Organised and why we continue today. I want people to find freedom to live the life they’ve always dreamed of. Stuff shouldn’t hold us back.

It’s no secret that we’re an ageing population. Thanks to medical advances we can enjoy more time with family and friends than previous generations. But the longer we live the more stuff we collect. It’s basic mathematics. What do we do with all this stuff when we leave this world? We can’t take it with us; though some have tried. We arrive on this planet with our birthday suit and nothing else, and that’s the way we leave it. If we don’t downsize before the inevitable happens, our families are left with the painful task of wrapping up our estates while dealing with their loss. Not exactly the parting gift I have in mind for my children.

Little Miss Organised helps individuals and families declutter, downsize and organise their homes and lives. We help seniors and retirees downsize or prepare for their final move into aged care. We’re like the best friend, older sister and counsellor all rolled into one. We help our clients identify the items most precious to them; and how to release those they no longer need without just throwing it away. We’re passionate about recycling and connecting donations to new homes. We love helping people discover the thrill of making a buck selling unwanted goods and finding freedom from their stuff.

I love organising. I could write about it all day long. I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride as we delve into the exciting world of decluttering, downsizing and simplifying your life. I hope these articles inspire you to learn to live with less; to embrace difficult decisions and to find the invigorating feeling that comes with organising. Welcome, friend.

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