CandI Store

Hopefully, you have read my previous blog about trashy being trashy, so we can get to the good stuff, Organizing! This is the most fun part of the process because you will discover your fabulous taste and be able to locate these items when you need them. Yay! The goal here is to put your items into main categories:

OFFICE/ KITCHEN / CLOTHING / LINENS /BATH / PERSONAL CARE /MEMORABILIA

Sort of like moving, however, there are one or two more levels after the Main categories. Each one can be broken down into subcategories such as:

MAIN CATEGORY — > CLOTHING

SUBCATEGORIES — > SUMMER  > TOPS / BOTTOMS / SHOES / SWIM / JACKETS

                                          — > WINTER > TOPS / BOTTOMS / SHOES / COATS /  JACKETS

MAIN CATEGORY — > KITCHEN

SUBCATEGORIES –> DISHWARE / GLASSWARE / POTS / UTENSILS / APPLIANCES /

ACCESSORIES / LINENS / FOOD STORAGE

Keep in mind, this part can get ugly, don’t expect perfect piles or even completion within 24 hours of starting. To be honest, this is a process that you are in control of but can get out of control without a strategy. The end result is a clean space, how you get there is unique to you. Make your piles and sort until you have sorted every area of your space. Getting sorted is as simple as that, take your time but get started, Spring is a perfect time.

As your work through your categories, keep in mind this can take time. Depending on the space, the number of people, and the time of accumulation, this could take hours but a few days of serious attention. Even with the removal of the trash, there can be many items still lingering that can be discarded as well. Consider your things to create a good strategy for sorting. Getting help is a great way to get through years of accumulation, but slow and steady wins the race so it is ok to take your time too. Below are a few questions to ask to help decide on items.

1. Useful, Beautiful, Meaningful
   1. The first three questions to ask to help decide on items in the categories are,  is it useful? Is it beautiful? And last, is it meaningful? Based on which category the items will be either displayed, carefully put away, or placed somewhere with ease of access and use.
   2.  If the answer is “yes” to any of the above questions then keep the item. A simple enough rule to follow, most of what we own we do consider beautiful, if not then it’s probably meaningful and last but not least most likely useful. The problem with some items is they won’t be thrown much away. We can accumulate many items that are beautiful or useful or both. Relying on the last rule will clear the path to decide where things should stay or go.
2. One Year Rule
   1. The One-Year Rule can be brutal for a lot of people, we have a lot of things tucked in places we haven’t seen in years. Nonetheless, The One-Year Rule asks one last question, has the item been used in the previous year? If it’s a yes then you and the precious thing are saved. However, if it has not been used in the last year, consider donating or selling it.
   1. There are always exceptions to the rule, if the item is the only one in a particular category, or it is rare and irreplaceable then the item is positioned for reconsideration. But be quick and don’t linger on the decision for too long. The idea here is to relieve yourself of the energies not benefitting you, hold on to what feels good, and let go of what creates unsettledness, unease, mixed feelings, etc.
   2. Lastly, Placement of items. Keeping items means finding homes for them. In Feng Shui, everything has energy called “chi”, this chi lets us know where it belongs. The Art and Practice of Feng Shui can take a lifetime to master, no sweat right? A simpler approach is to try things out until they feel good, keeping walkways, pathways, surfaces, and storage spaces clear from dust and clutter where things should go will make more and more sense. Be creative and think outside of the box. Modern design architecture can be unforgiving, but having an imagination will come in handy. Beautiful or meaningful things should be seen, if not, put away and protected. Useful things should be put in places that are accessible as well as easily located.