Clearing COVID Clutter
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As we continue to focus on safety within our families and communities, some of us may be overwhelmed by the stay-at-home clutter and wondering where to start.
CLOSET CLEAN UP
Start with your wardrobe! Whether your attire has evolved along with the changing nature of your professional responsibilities or there are children in your household shedding outgrown clothing, chances are the closets are overdue for a cleaning. In addition to donation centers reopening, there are many online community groups that could help. For example, look up your local chapter of the The Buy Nothing Project on Facebook.
RETURN THOSE BOOKS
Do you have a corner full of library books? A stack of good reads to return to friends? If your public library isn’t open yet, they are likely to be accepting drop off returns and in many cases are setting appointments for book pick up. After that’s taken care of, inquire with friends if they are comfortable with a porch drop off.
DEAL WITH YOUR DESK
For most of us, these past months have required the incorporation of office and/or school into our homes. If this has resulted in domestic chaos, you are not alone! If possible, each working or schooling individual
should have their own space. One desk or table can serve multiple people with the use of a divider or curtain. Focus on sorting and organizing your own work space first before helping family members.
FACE THE CATCH-ALL
Your home might have a spare room that contains a growing pile of stuff. If you have the time and enthusiasm for organizing the entire space, start by separating items into categories and then sort out the disposal items before storing each category in its own box, basket, cabinet, or shelf. If you need a quick way to open up the space, remove the largest item in the room and find a permanent place for it in your home or donate it.
TRASH TO TREASURE
You can transform the ordinary treasures from household clutter into cherished and useful items using a little creativity. With the holidays approaching, consult Pinterest or crafting books for projects such as a T-shirt quilt or a framed jewelry organizer. This one was made from wedding dress fabric and an antique embroidery hoop. For gift wrapping, use kids’ artwork or the comics section from old newspapers.
INBOX DETOX
With increased remote work and school, email accounts are working overtime! Can’t find that important Zoom invite? Bombarded by distance learning protocol updates? Take a moment to delete, unsubscribe, and categorize. If the sheer volume is too much, or if your personal system is no longer serving your needs, consider trying some of the free or paid organizing tools for integrating and managing email accounts.
