Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2011 | Page 62

IslandTHE
Life - February/March
A BRAND NEW SECTION FOR
OVER 60s2011

Try a blitz
on clutter
A New Year but the same old problems!

housework. This makes you busier and

in the first place and if you’re someone

Did you know that a blitz on clutter

causes stress and though it’s one of the

who is addicted to hanging on to things

in the home could be the best way to

household tasks we least like, a massive

that are useless, the golden rule is, “If

leave you feeling refreshed and light

tidy up doesn’t have to be a pain.

in doubt, throw it out”.

as a feather? Clutter in your home can

Store DVDs, CDs and video tapes,

You may find yourself struggling to

literally drain energy from you – the

one of the most common causes of

throw things out so another way to

ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui

clutter, in a self-assembly unit or use

solve the problem could be to sell those

claims that clutter causes a build up

long-unused CDs as coasters. Not

unwanted belongings. Clear the clutter

of stagnant energy that affects people

dealing with paperwork can be a sign

and cash in! People love nostalgia so

near to it.

of feeling overwhelmed so put bills,

think everything from Beanie Babies to

receipts and important documents in an

china branded with Homepride, Lurpak

in-tray to be dealt with once a week.

and Tetley. The 80s are back and even

Research also shows that those with
cluttered homes spend more time on

Have your children left home but all

NatWest piggy banks are retro!

their stuff – toys, schoolbooks and

Your kitchen could be a treasure trove

so on, is still with you? The problem

with unpopular items like breadmakers

here is that their clutter is also your

to sell on eBay. Always use well-lit

autobiography, their achievements are

photos to show what you’re selling,

landmarks in your life, and this makes

do your research first and keep an eye

binning their belongings harder. The

on key trends to get an idea of the

important way to go is to think first

item’s value by checking on ‘Completed

about what you want to do with the

Listings’ in ‘Advanced Search’. There’s

space and then get your children to

also the Island’s local marketplace,

help. Make it a joint decision but agree

Wightbay.com., for free advertising.

to keep only the top ten per cent.

Today’s tat could be tomorrow’s

Another tricky one is throwing out

treasure!

anything your family have given you.

Research shows that landfill sites will

Even if it’s old and tatty, a treasured

be full by 2017. If you want to send

item conjures up a picture of the

your stuff to a good home, Freecycling

person who gave it, especially if it

is the art of giving away usable

was someone who is no longer here.

unwanted items to others instead of

Parting with that gift is a form of grief

dispersing them in landfills. Just Google

although it’s important to remember

‘United Kingdom (UK) F reecycle Groups’

that it’s not a betrayal to get rid of it.

Homepage and click on South East

Wait until you’re ready to move on.

region to locate the Isle of Wight.

We all have clothes we rediscover after

From simple recycling to blitzing your

years but if you’re keeping something

house, one small move will be a big

you never wear, take it to the charity

step towards an ordered life.

shop – however much you spent on it
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