{"id":14811,"date":"2019-02-06T13:07:45","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T13:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web3.ezmedia.ca\/wilbri\/?p=14811"},"modified":"2019-05-14T13:39:43","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:39:43","slug":"declutter-your-way-to-a-more-organized-and-intentional-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web3.ezmedia.ca\/wilbri\/declutter-your-way-to-a-more-organized-and-intentional-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Declutter Your Way to a More Organized and Intentional Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you need to declutter?<\/h4>\n

Dorothy’s clutter scale is here to help!<\/h4>\n

Although I have always been organized, there were two significant moments in my life that taught me how to manage clutter.<\/p>\n

The first was when I returned from a backpacking trip around the world. Having visited homes in many developing nations, I no longer wanted to have such excess in my own home. My possessions were organized, but I had too many of them for my taste.<\/p>\n

After I unpacked from my journey, I began a thorough review of my stuff. I started upstairs, removing unnecessary items floor by floor. By the time I reached the basement, I had enough stuff to set up a second apartment.<\/p>\n

My second decluttering lesson was right after my divorce. Just months after the split, I found myself facing bankruptcy. I began my climb out of sudden and severe financial debt while simultaneously making a name for myself in the organizing industry. I hired a top-tier PR agent, but I knew I had to come up with some big bucks to cover his fee and all the expenses that go along with creating a brand. I decided to\u00a0sell my home\u00a0and everything I owned to make it happen.<\/p>\n

As I sorted my belongings for a second time, I created a ranking system to help me decide what to keep and what to toss. It worked beautifully for me, and I think it can work for you, too.<\/p>\n

The Clutter Scale<\/strong><\/h2>\n

5<\/strong>\u00a0– Important items whose place in your home is non-negotiable. For me, this included my green-stained Depression glass, photos, business files, office equipment, and my car.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0<\/strong>– Items that are difficult to replace and items you use every day. This pile included most of my clothes, CDs, some furniture, a favorite sheet set, towels, and jewelry.<\/p>\n

3<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0 Items you use occasionally but haven\u2019t used within the last six months.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0<\/strong>–\u00a0 Items you rarely use but feel hesitant to toss.<\/p>\n

1<\/strong>–\u00a0 Items you never use, like seasonal items, specialized tools, or\u00a0kitchen gadgets. I got rid of stationery, extra wrapping paper, old boxes, and my printer.<\/p>\n

You\u00a0know what I found as I used the clutter scale? There were\u00a0items that rated a 2 or 3. And once I established some criteria, I was able to sort and purge the 2s and 3s like never before. As you sort your less important items, ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n