We organizers have a lot rules (hints, tips, guidelines if you will) to help you get and stay organized. Things like: a place for everything and everything in its place; label whenever you can; use containers; put like items with like items; place frequently used items within arms reach; create zones in your space and of course…practice the one in and one out rule. This is one of my favorite rules because once you commit to abiding by this rule you will significantly control the clutter in your home or space. I’ve actually used this rule twice in the last couple of weeks.
For Christmas my husband got me a single gift…a Saddleback Leather tote. Oh my goodness is this the best tote I’ve ever had!!! Then a couple of weeks later he surprised me with a Saddleback Leather pouch and wallet. Sweet! I’m not kidding you…I’ve worn and used them every day since I’ve gotten them. I truly believe I’ll never need another tote, pouch or wallet again…especially since they have a 100 year warranty! Anyhoos…here I was with three new bags. Now what the heck was I going to do with my old purses and wallet? Easy. Get rid of them! Yes…I simply picked two old purses and a wallet to get rid of since I now had three new ones. I just put them out in my donate box in the garage and then took them to Goodwill. No worries about having too many purses or trying to figure out where they were all going to fit. They were on their way into the hands of someone else who hopefully needs them more than me.
Then just yesterday, I received a box of my late grandmother’s dish set…a dish set that I had admired since I was a teenager and that she had willed to me. It’s been in storage for years but luckily my parents made a trip this past Christmas and brought the box of dishes back to me. It’s a beautifully simple serving set for eight of dinner plates, appetizer plates, small bowls, teacups, saucers, a creamer, sugar bowl and serving platters. Whew…where the heck were they going to go? On my shelf to use of course! This of course, meant I had to clear the entire top shelf of two kitchen cabinets…and I did! I got rid of a dozen old plates, a dozen wooden plates, a couple of coffee mugs, and a few other miscellaneous dishes. Again, no worries about having too many dishes or figuring out where everything was going to go. One in…one out!
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This is such an easy way to control the clutter and something I try to encourage all of my clients to do. Yes, I know. It may sound difficult, but it really isn’t. If you truly want to control your clutter and preserve the peace and tranquility you have in your home, try exercising this rule in your life. Even better…before you decide to buy something, take a moment to think about what you will get rid of before you even make a purchase or bring something new into your home. This works! Trust me.
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I was wondering what you were going to do with that special set of dishes that had been stored in a barn and then traveled 2200 miles just for you. That’s impressive!!!
We used the dishes last night for dinner. I love them!!! They fit in perfectly with my other white dishes. Can’t believe they’ve traveled so far and finally made it into my cupboards!
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