At this time of year I always get that feeling that it’s time for a clearout. It might be all the extra ‘stuff’ that comes into our lives over Christmas, it might be that urge to make everything look fresh and clean after the house has been undecorated after the festivities, it might be a hopeful look ahead to Spring. Whatever it is, I want to edit. In doing so I know that I will also miraculously edit my mind, and goodness knows it needs it with so much swirling around lately! And if I make some money in the process, then hello new adventures!
And so begins the sorting. You have probably heard of Marie Kondo’s bestselling book The life-changing magic of tidying. It’s a bestseller for a reason. The MariKon method is simple but genius. I read it when it first came out, and have rolled my tights and t-shirts ever since. From many years spent in Japan I know how space is at a premium, and as a result their storage solutions are many. But the difference with Marie Kondo is that she focused on reducing the amount of stuff, and keeping only what you really need, or what ‘sparks joy’. So it’s OK to keep that one pink tea cosy that your grandma knitted you when you got your first house, even if you always make your tea in a cup. But in doing so, by allowing yourself to cling onto one or two precious things, you are able to let go many other things that you don’t need or even really want.
I do my sorting in batches, one room at a time. And if there is a lot to sort, then one corner at a time. I am ruthless these days. I have five piles:
(1) Sell it on Gumtree/CraigsList/eBay or to independent shops
(2) Give it to a friend (but only if they really want it)
(3) Give it to charity
(4) Recycle it
(5) Keep it
I set myself a challenge each time that no more than one half of the things I am sorting get to go in the ‘keep it’ pile. In fact, after I have finished sorting, I go through the ‘keep it’ pile and see if I can move anything to one of the other piles.
I did this when we moved house in September, and got rid of over 200 books and more than 90 bin bags of stuff. And the best bit? By selling a sofa, two chests of drawers, a pile of books, a table, a spare bed, a jacket, a nursing chair, a mirror and some other bits and pieces, I generated over £1100 in just a few days. And I found a £20 in the back of some jeans I was throwing out (love it when that happens).
I then spent half a day organising my paperwork, chasing up some refunds (travel compensation for a delayed flight, overpaid house insurance, a couple of items of clothing I returned) and generated another £400. That’s a total of over £1500, more than $2100, which I have just used to book myself a flight to Costa Rica.
I know a lot of people feel held back from doing what they love by feeling like they don’t have enough money, but it’s amazing where you can find cash for the things that really matter, if you just get creative, get organised, and get to it! And if you declutter in the process, your mind is clearer and ready to make the most of the adventures you can pay for with the money you generate.
So now I’m off to see what else I can get rid of…
I’d love to hear about your decluttering successes, and how much money you can find in things around your house. Let me know on Facebook or Twitter, or share a decluttering pic on Instagram!
Beth
