Rotary: Meeting August 14th, 2013
Posted by Julia Nygra
on Aug 16, 2013
....Thank you to the Port Moody Rotary Club for inviting Savvy Space Solutions Professional Organizing Services to speak at your Aug. 14th breakfast meeting, it was a wonderful way to start the day! .......see more
Thank you to the Port Moody Rotary Club for inviting Savvy Space Solutions Professional Organizing Services to speak at your Aug. 14th breakfast meeting, it was a wonderful way to start the day! Here is a summary of our presentation, any questions or inquiries: info@savvyspacesolutions.com 778.881.5261
Downsizing is not just about a smaller space - it’s about a different lifestyle.
Most people downsize in order to have more free time to: travel, enjoy new (or old) hobbies, spend time with family & friends and less time & money on a large garden or yard, home maintenance, etc. Businesses may downsize to help streamline costs. The reasons you decide to downsize will effect not only the size of your space but how you use it. Reference these reasons when deciding what stays & what goes.
Timeline: Start Now - Downsizing in 1 year, 2 years, more?
Start now! Decluttering & downsizing is easier if you can do it a little at a time. Take it slow & give yourself plenty of time to go through everything (everything) before you move.
Start Easy Start Small - Keep an ongoing donation box handy, when it's full donate & start a new box; always use Google? Recycle your phone books; etc.
Go drawer by drawer, cupboard by cupboard - Go through everything, open up boxes & bags. Doing just one drawer a day in a 5 drawer dresser will make it easy to fit into your day & keep your energy up to continue the project for longer rather than purging for hours on end.
Be Realistic.... and Be Ruthless
Really look at all your belongings & decide piece-by-piece if you need it, want it or use it. Is it broken, missing pieces, will you really get it fixed or will it stay there another 2 years?
Clothes: if it’s stained, frayed, missing buttons, doesn’t fit, or doesn’t make you feel great wearing it, get rid of it. Also look at the amount of items, nobody needs 40 pairs of white tube socks. (You do laundry more than once a month!)
This goes for business as well, in a small office - do you really need to purchase cases of paper at a time? The money saved buying bulk may be negated by the amount “paid” in the space used to store it.
if you can access it online, borrow it from a friend, or rent the odd time you need it - the item should go.
Remember that keeping an unused item doesn’t get you the money you spent on it
Recycle Most households keep approx 80% more papers than needed. Businesses generally have to keep more paper for client or tax reasons but can still cut down. Sort through receipts, notices, memos, printed emails, etc. Anything out of date or double copied (unless needed for tax purposes) gets recycled. In an office, reports can be kept to one hardcopy and one archival or digital copy. Papers containing personal information to be tossed should be shredded first.
Give the Kids Their Stuff If you have items that belong to your children, grandchildren or friends, give it back to them. Including children's trophies, school papers, sports equipment, art projects, report cards, etc. Give them a deadline that you are downsizing and they must pick it up. If it’s not gone by a certain date - it goes.
Presents or Inheritances - Can be a big clutter issue. They represent love & caring but can sometimes be dust collectors. If you don’t like it, don’t use it & it’s not your style, it needs to go. Guilt trip items you feel “must” be kept for other peoples happiness should not be included in a downsize - you don’t have the room! You have more important things to focus your energy on than well meaning but unwanted gifts. If it makes you feel bad, sad, mad or frustrated why have it in your house?
Pass Items on or Donate - give your family or friends items that they want or have admired. This is the other side of the “presents issue” so be mindful of their space & ask before giving! After all, you are claiming your space, let them claim theirs. You must be ok with what they do with it after you give it to them. If they change it, paint it, cut it in half or pass it on to their friend, don’t take it personally.
Everything has Two Uses - Moving forward, incorporate existing treasures into your space
A collection of tins can be used for storing cotton balls, Qtips or office pens; an heirloom box can house the remote controls; a storage bench in a waiting area or staff kitchen could be used for supplies; small cabinets could double as a reception desk/room divider
Decluttering and Downsizing Will Take Longer Than You Think - Repeat three times. Give yourself time.
Marnie Kurylo
Savvy Space Solutions
Professional Organizing Services
778-881-5261