Five to Thrive Clearing the Clutter: Practical Tips for Organizing Your Home After 50
Show Notes:
Summary:
Valerie Hatcher shares five practical tips for decluttering and organizing your home after 50. She emphasizes starting small, tackling one room or category at a time, and using the three-box method (keep, sell, donate) to sort through belongings. Valerie also suggests investing in meaningful organization solutions, committing to regular decluttering rituals, and showcasing only the items that truly resonate with you. By decluttering, you can create a serene and clutter-free space that reflects your unique story and allows for new beginnings.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to the podcast and topic of decluttering and organizing
01:07 Starting small and tackling one room or category at a time
03:46 Using the three-box method for sorting items
07:29 Investing in meaningful organization solutions
08:45 Committing to quarterly or biannual decluttering rituals
09:56 Taking short daily tidying breaks and putting things away
10:33 Showcasing meaningful and resonant decorative items
11:56 Final thoughts on decluttering and embracing simplicity
11:59 Conclusion and call to action for listeners to subscribe and connect
Key Takeaways:
- Start small by tackling one room or category at a time.
- Use the three-box method: keep, sell, and donate.
- Invest in meaningful organization solutions that fit your needs.
- Commit to quarterly or biannual decluttering rituals to reassess and reorganize.
- Showcase only the items that truly resonate with you and create a clutter-free space.
Connect with Valerie:
* Facebook, Instagram, and Threads @iamvaleriehatcher.
* Email at hello@agingwithgraceandstyle.com
Join Us Next Time:
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Stay tuned for more inspiring chats, tips, and stories about the midlife journey.
See you soon! Let's continue to age with grace, style, and a touch of sass.
Transcript
0:00:29 - (Valerie): Ready for today's episode? Then let's go. Today, we're tackling a topic near and dear to my heart, especially this week. Decluttering and organizing your Home after 50. As we get older, serene, and clutter-free spaces become so important. But clutter can accumulate quickly, leaving us overwhelmed. Am I the only one who seems to have more clutter now that the kid or kids are gone? Sometimes I think this just absolutely makes no sense.
::0:01:50 - (Valerie): So let's dive in, okay? I said this topic was near and dear to my heart this week, so let me explain. I'm off work this week, and decluttering is my main project. The tips I share are for me, but since I'm a sharer, I wanted to pass them along to you too, just in case you're going through something similar. So tip one is to start small, one room, or one category at a time. When beginning the decluttering journey, we often make the mistake of biting off more than we can chew.
::0:03:09 - (Valerie): For example, start with high-traffic spots like your closet, or the kitchen, pantry, or junk drawers. Fully tackle that one category before moving to the next. This approach makes the process manageable, and it provides me with a sense of accomplishment so much quicker. Another trick is to block off, say, two to 3 hours in one day, or maybe even over the course of a few days to tackle the space and again, set a timer.
::0:04:25 - (Valerie): I think I mentioned in the empty nest episode that I'd like to make that room into a content creation photo studio room. Anyway, eventually I'll get there, but that's why I need to declutter it. So back to my plan for the week. I will allot about 3 hours a day as I have other stuff I need to do other than declutter. But having a laid-out plan keeps me motivated and I know it will keep me on track.
::0:05:34 - (Valerie): I used to keep clothes, thinking I would someday get back to that size. Well, this year when I cleaned out my closet, I realized even if I did get back to that size, the items were outdated. So why was I keeping them? This three-box system helps streamline decisions and it keeps things organized. Remember, items that might not be useful to you could be treasures to someone else. When I sorted out my closet, I was surprised by the number of clothes that I hadn't worn in years.
::0:06:43 - (Valerie): So I actually ended up selling it online. Number three invest in meaningful organization solutions. The goal isn't just to declutter, but once you've decluttered, it's important to keep it that way. For me, that's easier said than done. I really always have good intentions, but I need to really work on ensuring it stays that way. Investing in effective organization solutions like shelves, clear storage bins, label makers, or even apps that help with inventory can make a difference.
::0:08:04 - (Valerie): And then prevent a junk drawer clutter by giving items a proper place right away. I added in my drawers these little kinds of trays with sections, and it's been perfect because each item has its own section in that tray, in that drawer. That has been the most amazing thing to keep us organized because before then, we definitely had junk drawers. Number four commit to quarterly or biannual decluttering rituals.
::0:09:21 - (Valerie): When my son was younger, I used to declutter during spring break and then in December when I was off for the holidays. For some reason, over time, I got off that cadence and actually probably need to do it more now. I do agree that it helps in reassessing what has been added and what can be let go. One thing that works well for me is like a mini declutter. It's allowing 15 minutes per day to tidy up.
::0:10:33 - (Valerie): Having too much stuff out eventually becomes overwhelming. Leonardo DA Vinci said 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'. So let's try to follow this mentality. And there you have it, ladies. Five tips to help you declutter and organize your home. Remember, decluttering isn't just about getting rid of things. It's about making space for the new and exciting chapters of our lives. It's about cherishing memories and celebrating your unique story.
::0:11:56 - (Valerie): Sophistication.
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