A Happy Clutter

When my friends and family walk into my house, they say, “I live in a museum.” My walls adorn curios from travels, gifts from friends and family, my artwork, and photographs of loved ones. Other treasured items are placed on my coffee table, side tables, sideboards, and practically everywhere else. They celebrate my memories, interests, and personality. They are carefully curated, and every nook and corner of the house has a story to tell.

On the surface, everything appears to be in order. However, my cupboards and drawers definitely require some fixes if I am to ultimately hoist myself out. My intention is to only tame my clutter, not to conquer it. I have items that no longer belong at home or somewhere else in the house and ‘happy clutter’ that transports me to another era. I enjoy slumping into my chair, surrounded by objects and journals that have had a significant and meaningful impact on my life. 

Dealing with my cluttered cupboards and drawers can be stressful, especially when the item I’m looking for is always at the bottom of the pile. When I try to close the drawer after that, it won’t close. Something pokes its head out, and no matter how hard I push it back in, it pops right back out. “You stay right there,” I yell, walking away, leaving it hanging.

I’m not sure if it’s just me who designates ‘safe places’ to keep certain items in the desperate hope of remembering and finding them when needed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for me most of the time, and I’m on a wild treasure hunt. POOF! I suddenly remember the place a few hours, days, or weeks later. I’m now holding my breath until I get to that precise spot before letting out a massive relief! Do you think I’m crazy? Trust me, you’d see crazy if I never found my safe place.

My nook with the bookshelves is a magical place. I step in, and the characters in each book reach out to me, transporting me to a world far beyond. Since I have no “shelf control,” the books pile up. I can’t bear parting with my books because each tells a story about where I’ve been.

One of the most challenging tasks is sorting through my countless albums and thousands of photographs. Why can’t I just focus and finish the task? I open an album that brings back memories, and I take photos to send to family and friends. We start exchanging messages about those captured memories and eventually call each other. The topic shifts to our marriages, children, extended family, gossiping, and making plans to meet. 

If that wasn’t enough, a few people say, “I’m going to share these photos with our common friends,” and before I say, “NO,” and within those few seconds, the photos have travelled around the world. My phone is now flooded with more pictures and messages from long-lost family and friends. So, when am I going to learn my lesson? Let me warn you ahead of time that I intend to keep my phone in a ‘safe place’ when I next hope to clear out my albums. 

It’s about time I organize and create a structure. So, I’m done making excuses but having said that, if you have one, let me know.

“Decluttering and Minimalism” is a hot topic these days, and I’m up for the challenge. I’m motivated to declutter, but minimalism is something I’ll consider along the way. The game rules work personally for me, and my mantra is simple, “only keep what serves a purpose and all that I cherish.”

I’ve started small and concentrated on one room at a time. I don’t have any deadlines; instead, I’ve promised myself that I won’t buy anything new for the house or myself until I’m done. I also set my alarm for a couple of hours every day and do as much as I can in that time frame.

According to the experts, we could make this process “creative and fun.” However, don’t be taken in by them. This is physically and emotionally draining, and you must find your own ways to stay motivated.

My first day was spent in the kitchen. I quickly gathered utensils, serving dishes, baking ware, a gunny bag full of plastic containers and bottles, and a few other items to give away. My kitchen is a “Command Centre,” so a whiteboard with emergency numbers, birthdays, payment schedules, to-do lists, shopping lists, and other information is appropriate. I hear a cry for help! The recipes, photographs, and invitations hold on to their dear lives because the magnets are weighed down and slowly moving to the bottom of the fridge door.

Then there’s my “junk drawer,” which contains rubber bands stuck together, broken pens, sticky notes, takeout menus, candles, chopsticks, and whatever else fits. I stare at them for a few seconds and then bin them all. Do you have one of these junk drawers at home? I have a couple more!

My cupboards were the focus of the second day. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, so I played my favourite songs, sang along, grooved to them, and revelled that I still had the moves. I was actually having fun and perfecting my moves when I became aware of a pounding in my ears. “Touch the item and ask yourself if it sparks joy. Put it aside if it doesn’t” that was Marie Kondo, the organizing consultant, author, and TV host. I am a huge fan of hers. I leap into the cupboard and pull down all the clothes. I sort them into piles to donate to NGOs, people, and recyclers.

I’ve been avoiding the neatly stacked piles on the top shelves for many years. I was reminded of something a friend once said. “Give them away, or the tiny creatures living there will sew your clothes even tighter with each passing day.” Even if it was a critical remark, it was something I needed to hear.

I know I’ll never be able to fit into them again, but I was hanging on to them because they remind me of a phase in my life. Looking at them brings back beautiful and fun memories that make me smile. The dresses and suits, their colours and brands, and recalling when I wore them and how I accessorized them with jewellery, shoes, and bags. So, I look at them again and tell myself that it’s time to move on. Let me make new memories with the clothes and accessories I now own, which are symbolic of who I am today.

I couldn’t help but want to try a few of them. I slid a dress over my head, could barely get my arms into the sleeves, and then struggled to get it down. It refused to budge. What will I do to get out of this? It took a while before I could get my head out and catch my breath. The next thing I knew, I was pulling all of these clothes out, setting them aside, and bidding an emotional farewell before they ruined my self-esteem.

I needed a break, so I took it easy for the next few days, clearing miscellaneous items that I knew were either E-waste or recyclable.

The days ahead will be difficult, so I do a quick walkthrough of the house, list everything, look for storage boxes, and order a few from Amazon. I’m not looking forward to going through the rest of the drawers and shelves. They are packed with stuff that has impacted and influenced my life; my journals, bowling, Toastmasters, shooting trophies and cups, and so much more. My experiences and the journey have shaped who I am today. So, I need to get a proper storage box and label it ‘Sentimental’ to stay with me for the rest of my life.

This decluttering process has resulted in a great deal of introspection and contentment. It’s like a breath of fresh air when I have no clutter to distract me, only stuff that serves a purpose, everything I cherish around me, and more room for what truly matters to me. When I’m finished, I’ll have room in the house and within myself for everything that adds value to my life. Now it’s a matter of creating routines and habits, so they all stay organized.

 I’m getting through this decluttering process by asking myself a few simple questions:

1. Is this going to make a difference in my life?
2. When was the last time I put it to use?
3. Could someone else benefit from this more than I?
4. Is it possible that I have more than one?
5. Would I repurchase this item?
6. What am I storing this for?

This decluttering process has inspired me to consider ‘minimalism’ as a future lifestyle. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I wish for a more meaningful life while developing stronger relationships and being more helpful to others who are less fortunate. The mere thought is so refreshing!

So far, I’ve done well and kept my promise of tightening my purse strings until I’m done. I tell friends and family not to give me more gifts because I don’t have space on my walls or anywhere else in the house. Just a thought: if they still insist, would it sound bad if I asked them for an allowance for groceries, gas, medical bills, electricity and other essentials instead?