'Free your space and the rest will follow' Organised Clutter
| ORGANISED CLUTTER IN THE MEDIA!
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"Sorting is the secret" by EMMA SPILLETT, Illawarra Mercury, 28 July 2010
Sorting into categories helps organise clutter. Organised Clutter director Shana Danon knows the overwhelming feeling of accumulated junk. The Sydney woman created Organised Clutter to help those stuck in hoarding ruts overhaul their home and get rid of the mess that has made their home impossible to live in.
As a starting point, Danon sits down with each of her clients and listens to their needs. Like medical experts, she agrees that cleaning out a hoarder’s home is a gradual process that must be sensitive to their needs and issues. ‘‘People hoard for different reasons so by getting to knowthem a little, it makes it easier to achieve their goals,’’ she says. ‘‘When clients call me, they are usually at the stage where they have tried tackling clutter on their own, haven’t succeeded and are desperate to make changes.’’
She insists that she never forces someone to part with something if they are not ready and merely facilitates the decluttering process. Danon and her clientswork together to devise a plan that is easy to maintain. She recommends focusing on one area at a time like a kitchen drawer, desk or cupboard to reach achievable goals and avoid organisation burn out. Boxes are a goodway to sort items - use separate boxes for garbage, recycling, donations/ebay and one box to keep.
Ensure the box for items to keep stores easily in the area you have chosen. Good efficient storage (not necessarily expensive) and clear containers that stack and have lids, are crucial. Danon says sorting is the bestway to organise mess. ‘‘Think of the categories of an item and split it up", she says. ‘‘For example, if you have papers everywhere, you may think of the categories that these papers fit into like recipes, personal and bills. You would then set up a filing system that works for you with the space you have and recycle all the items not needed.’’
Discerning useful items from clutter can be difficult for hoarders who may not know which items to keep and which to toss. Items that are used regularly and are in good condition are generally the ones to retain. Anything that is broken, chipped, rarely used, unflattering and wouldn’t be missed if itwas parted with is clutter and should be thrown out. After an initial clean-out, implementing a system of order you can maintain is critical.
Danon believes clutter can be stressful and people need to regularly eliminate it on their own terms. ‘‘A home has to be lived in, it is not a museum but it should be tidy and give you joy,’’ she says. ‘‘Some clients are confident to tackle clutter
in the future on their own, others are comforted that I can help them maintain the systems we implemented, and I may pop back every so often to give them a hand.
| STILL ORGANISED - A MONTH AFTER YOUR VISIT!
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Hi Shana it's Rosie!
I thought i'd wait a while before I emailed you to tell you how the room's going. It's still tidy, and it's almost a month, which is a definite improvement!
The system is easy to keep and and I'm really happy with how it worked out, so thankyou so much for your help, I feel so much more organised now!
Rosie, Randwick
Being an avid collector of papers, stationery, books, cards, magazines and recipes..... when it came to moving the thought of organising, packing and unpacking my belongings made my stomach curdle.
Shana came to my rescue and in the weeks before my move helped me sort through my piles of newspapers and magazines, including organising my torn out recipes so that they could be used! The chore of cleaning and packing actually became fun with Shana's patience and assistance.
I still can't believe that I had some newspapers dating back to 2000 waiting to be read! If it wasn't for Shana, I would have moved with these unnecessary extras....so thank you !
In my new place, I am changing my ways!
Shanie, Bondi
After moving house and having a baby, we did not have the time or energy to organise our cupboards and storage spaces.
It was quite amazing, Shana and her team from Organised Clutter were able to achieve in two hours what we had been putting off for months.
Shana not only cleared out years of unworn clothes, but her easy and practical advice makes it a breeze to keep our cupboards workable and tidy.
Dan & Lena, Randwick
A big thank you to Shana and Organised Clutter for decluttering my bedroom!
Shana made very practical suggestions and after a very short period of time had freed up 3 drawer-fulls of space which was fantastic! My things are better organised and easier to access.
All those piles of things which did not previously have anywhere to go have now been put on shelves and into drawers and cupboards.
As a result, my not-so-spacious room looks more spacious, much neater, and definitely decluttered! Shana was helpful and tactful. She's coming back to tackle our kitchen! I would have no hesitation in recommending her and Organised Clutter.
T.E, Waverley
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