I know I spoke about this topic the other day but “clutter” is a problem; a massive problem.

Its okay if you live in a big house as things can be hidden away or stored in spare rooms but this only defers a bigger problem for the future.

My demands to live in a minimalist home are driving me mad. It is sucking all the will out of me to the point that I cannot even start the process of making my home tidier and clutter-free.

Its not the cleaning or tidying that is causing so much grief its the stuff.

I can’t chuck out the things that seem important like CDs, books, mugs, ornaments and electronic goods as they are part of my life and I might want to use them in the future and it is nice to have some of them around, right? Some have a monetary value attached to them too.

I stream music through my Amazon Alexa Speakers so do I need to keep my stereo and CDs? After all Alexa also plays the radio, tells the time and has replaced so much. The loft is too small for the storage of much.

Mugs; I do tend to use many of them over a few days and thats the drawback from having a dishwasher.

So there we have it in a nutshell. Too much stuff, an excuse for keeping it and not enough room to store and live with it. Oil and water spring to mind.

Some drastic and heart wrenching decisions are going to have to be faced. Things have to go and my home returned. My only saving grace is that there are only three rooms to sort so you’d think it an easy ask. Its worse as there is very little space to divide things up into.

My thoughts lean towards making a grid plan of each room and divide the space into small squares then systematically work round the grid one square at a time. Clear, keep, clean and tidy. Then hope to the next place but not before the previous square is finished and no jumping randomly round the room. If an item would be better placed elsewhere then put a label on it and move it to that place when ready. Now that sounds so simple and easy. Why didn’t I think of this before? One square, one day at a time.

I guess there is the waste of money mindset that will have to be adjusted too. The money has been spent already so whether one keeps things or disposes of them is irrelevant. Why eat the whole meal if you are full or finish the last pint just because of greed? It can’t be sent back for a refund so whether it sits it your stomach, on the plate or in the slops bin it won’t change the bank balance but it may help the waistline and hangover.

Its so simple to clear out someone else’s  home but when it comes to your own it is a completely new ball-game. Its depressing and dull, heartbreaking and cruel and energy sapping and time-consuming. This time last year there was no way I could have even contemplated this concept but today and with the New Year rapidly approaching I feel the time has come to put a plan into action and make a radical clean sweep.

A future blog may just contain details of my home’s makeover. Wish me luck till then.

I think the 2018 charity shops are going to have a pleasant windfall very soon so someone will benefit from my actions and I am certain my long-term mental health and comfort will reap the benefits.