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Feeling controlled by the chaos in your home? 4 ways to rein in clutter and stay tidy

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jamal-abarashi-1427274">Jamal Abarashi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/taghreed-hikmet-1469284">Taghreed Hikmet</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>Maintaining a tidy home is a never-ending challenge. And tidiness goes beyond aesthetics – it <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-for-a-kondo-clean-out-heres-what-clutter-does-to-your-brain-and-body-109947">contributes to a person’s mental wellbeing</a>.</p> <p>So what are the best strategies for creating and maintaining order?</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263007731_Home_Sweet_Messy_Home_Managing_Symbolic_Pollution">growing body of research</a> into tidiness and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366106749_Having_Less_A_Personal_Project_Taxonomy_of_Consumers'_Decluttering_Orientations_Motives_and_Emotions">decluttering</a>, including our own, might offer helpful insights.</p> <p>As part of our ongoing research project, we analysed popular cleaning and decluttering videos on YouTube as well thousands of the comments below them. We also conducted 18 in-depth interviews. The goal is to better understand how people create order in their homes – and how they keep it that way.</p> <p>As our research shows, sustaining tidiness is about being both systematic and adaptable.</p> <h2>Life can be the enemy of tidiness</h2> <p>From an early age, <a href="https://books.google.co.nz/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=WkrpDwAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PA67&amp;dq=over+consumption++consumer+culture&amp;ots=TVTnsyV25l&amp;sig=KRmlySvvkDrkTBiGeLAAU-gqXPQ">people are primed to shop</a>.</p> <p>But this culture of shopping clashes with the desire for tidy and clutter-free homes.</p> <p>Family members with different tidiness standards and life stages can also disrupt efforts to create order.</p> <p>As one young couple said: "We’ve always wanted that really amazing organised home but we could just never really get it that way and we would feel really discouraged when we tried and then just a few days later it would just go right back to messy."</p> <p>Some interviewees described feeling like prisoners of their possessions.</p> <p>Another young couple with two kids explained: "As more children arrived and our income increased, more stuff made its way into our home. We have never been hoarders, but at some point I looked around and realised that we were spending our time and resources on acquiring stuff, cleaning and maintaining stuff, storing stuff, moving stuff out of the way to get to other stuff."</p> <p>And the very organisation systems used to maintain tidy and clutter-free homes can <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcr/article-abstract/41/3/565/2907524">contribute to disorganisation</a>.</p> <p>One professional woman we spoke with described establishing a system where every piece of clothing had a designated spot in their wardrobe based on colour, type and season. Ultimately, this became too difficult to maintain, undermining the whole approach.</p> <p>So what can be done to maintain a tidy home?</p> <h2>4 strategies for keeping your home tidy</h2> <p>Our research so far has helped us identify four key strategies to achieve long-term tidiness.</p> <p><strong>1: Simplify</strong></p> <p>To achieve lasting tidiness, you need to simplify the way you organise your home.</p> <p>This can be done by eliminating spaces or areas in your home that encourage further organisation and classification of possessions – like extra dressers or storage units.</p> <p>One retired couple we spoke with did just that.</p> <p>"We had this dresser […] that was basically always inviting more and more stuff to be put in it. So, it was always pretty hard to have the space we always wanted. Well then we got rid of the dresser […] and once we did that we really saw the space open up and it became really nice and clear."</p> <p>Fewer dedicated spaces mean fewer opportunities for clutter to accumulate, ultimately making it easier to maintain a tidy living environment.</p> <p><strong>2: Create groups</strong></p> <p>Another effective strategy for long-term tidiness is to simplify how you categorise and group things in your home.</p> <p>Replacing several small decor items with one larger one creates fewer distinct categories of things around the house, for example.</p> <p>One mother of two kids we spoke with switched out several small teddy bears in her lounge for one big one.</p> <p>A married couple we interviewed grouped smaller knickknacks onto a tray, making it easier to keep track of things and to maintain order. Having all of their knickknacks in one place also made it easier to clean.</p> <p><strong>3: Manage numbers</strong></p> <p>To sustain long-term tidiness, it’s also essential to control the total number of possessions in your home.</p> <p>This can be achieved through various methods, such as encouraging sharing among family members and friends or following the “one in, one out” rule – for every new item you bring into the house, you get rid of an old item.</p> <p>Instead of buying rarely used items, like a camping tent, you could rent it when needed.</p> <p>Another married couple we spoke with described a cluttered kitchen with multiple pots for different cooking jobs. Looking to reduce the clutter, they switched to using a multipurpose cast iron skillet – one item that can do many jobs.</p> <p>A family with two kids spoke about sharing hair products to reduce the clutter in the bathroom.</p> <p>"We used to buy a bunch of different things but now we use the same thing for our hair so the product [my husband] uses, I use. We use the same shampoo. We actually used to buy different shampoo. So basically, we just simplified our product […] this brought the products down to half and now we have so much more peace of mind and the bathroom is so much easier to maintain."</p> <p><strong>4: Adapt and evolve</strong></p> <p>Maintaining a tidy home requires flexibility and a willingness to re-evaluate and adjust your routines in response to the ever-changing circumstances of your life.</p> <p>A retired couple we interviewed spoke about the process of moving to a smaller place. This required getting rid of a lot of things and changing the way they lived to maximise the use of what remained.</p> <p>In the end, tidiness and decluttering are ongoing processes that require dedication and flexibility.</p> <p>By embracing these strategies for long-term tidiness, a person can create and maintain organised spaces that enhance their lives, fostering not only physical order but also mental clarity and peace.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212689/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jamal-abarashi-1427274">Jamal Abarashi</a>, Lecturer, International Business, Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/taghreed-hikmet-1469284">Taghreed Hikmet</a>, Senior Lecturer, International Business, Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/feeling-controlled-by-the-chaos-in-your-home-4-ways-to-rein-in-clutter-and-stay-tidy-212689">original article</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Why is a messy house such an anxiety trigger for me and what can I do about it?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erika-penney-1416241">Erika Penney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sight of clutter and mess in your home? Have you walked in the door only to feel overloaded by scattered papers, unwashed dishes and clothes in disarray? Maybe you’ve even had arguments because it bothers you more than it bothers you partner or housemates.</p> <p>You’re not alone. Many people report a messy house can trigger feelings of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167209352864">stress</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494421000062?via%3Dihub">anxiety</a>.</p> <p>So why do clutter and chaos make some of us feel so overwhelmed? Here’s what the research says – and what you can do about it.</p> <h2>Cognitive overload</h2> <p>When we’re surrounded by distractions, our brains essentially become <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/">battlegrounds</a> for attention. Everything competes for our focus.</p> <p>But the brain, as it turns out, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1994-43838-001">prefers</a> order and “<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00086/full%22%22">singletasking</a>” over multitasking.</p> <p>Order helps reduce the competition for our attention and reduces mental load. While some people might be better than others at <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1523471113">ignoring distractions</a>, distractable environments can overload our cognitive capabilities and memory.</p> <p>Clutter, disorder and mess can affect more than just our cognitive resources. They’re also linked to our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23907542/">eating</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132318307157?via=ihub">productivity</a>, mental health, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15374424jccp3401_9">parenting</a> decisions and even our willingness to donate <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23907542/">money</a>.</p> <h2>Are women more affected than men?</h2> <p>Research suggests the detrimental effects of mess and clutter may be more pronounced in women than in men.</p> <p>One <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167209352864">study</a> of 60 dual-income couples found women living in cluttered and stressful homes had higher levels of cortisol (a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19596045/#:%7E:text=After%2520controlling%2520for%2520the%2520individual,and%2520poor%2520self-rated%2520health.">hormone</a> associated with stress) and heightened depression symptoms.</p> <p>These effects remained consistent even when factors like marital satisfaction and personality traits were taken into account. In contrast, the men in this study seemed largely unaffected by the state of their home environments.</p> <p>The researchers theorised that women may feel a greater responsibility for maintaining the home. They also suggested the social aspect of the study (which involved giving home tours) may have induced more fear of judgement among women than men.</p> <p>We will all live with clutter and disorganisation to some degree in our lives. Sometimes, however, significant clutter problems can be linked to underlying mental health conditions such as <a href="https://beyondocd.org/information-for-individuals/symptoms/ocd-related-hoarding#:%7E:text=Examples%20of%20hoarding%20in%20the,are%20not%20needed%20any%20more">obsessive-compulsive disorder</a>, <a href="https://beyondocd.org/information-for-individuals/symptoms/ocd-related-hoarding#:%7E:text=Examples%20of%20hoarding%20in%20the,are%20not%20needed%20any%20more">hoarding disorder</a>, <a href="https://psychcentral.com/depression/messy-room-depression#does-it-exacerbate-symptoms">major depressive disorder</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796704000531">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</a>, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618510001647">anxiety disorders</a>.</p> <p>This raises a crucial question: which came first? For some, clutter is the source of anxiety and distress; for others, poor mental health is the source of disorganisation and clutter.</p> <h2>Not all mess is a problem</h2> <p>It’s important to remember clutter isn’t all bad, and we shouldn’t aim for perfection. Real homes don’t look like the ones in magazines.</p> <p>In fact, disorganised spaces can result in increased <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23907542/">creativity</a> and elicit fresh insights.</p> <p>Living in constant disorder isn’t productive, but striving for perfectionism in cleanliness can also be counterproductive. Perfectionism itself is associated with feeling overwhelmed, anxiety and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28026869/">poor mental health</a>.</p> <h2>Mess makes me anxious so what can I do about it?</h2> <p>It’s important to remember you have some agency over what matters to you and how you want to prioritise your time.</p> <p>One approach is to try to reduce the clutter. You might, for example, have a dedicated de-cluttering session every week. This may involve hiring a cleaner (if you can afford it) or playing some music or a podcast while tidying up for an hour with your other household members.</p> <p>Establishing this routine can reduce clutter distractions, ease your overall mental load and alleviate worry that clutter will spiral out of control.</p> <p>You can also try micro-tidying. If don’t have time for a complete cleanup, commit just five minutes to clearing one small space.</p> <p>If the clutter is primarily caused by other household members, try to calmly discuss with them how this mess is affecting your mental health. See if your kids, your partner or housemates can negotiate some boundaries as a household over what level of mess is acceptable and how it will be handled if that threshold is exceeded.</p> <p>It can also help to develop a self-compassionate mindset.</p> <p>Mess doesn’t define whether you are a “good” or “bad” person and, at times, it may even stimulate your <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23907542/">creativity</a>. Remind yourself that you deserve success, meaningful relationships and happiness, whether or not your office, home or car is a mess.</p> <p>Take comfort in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0013916516628178">research</a> suggesting that while disorganised environments can make us susceptible to stress and poor decision-making, your mindset can buffer you against these vulnerabilities.</p> <p>If clutter, perfectionism or anxiety has begun to seem unmanageable, talk with your GP about a referral to a <a href="https://psychology.org.au/psychology/about-psychology/what-is-psychology">psychologist</a>. The right psychologist (and you may need to try a few before you find the right one) can help you cultivate a life driven by values that are important to you.</p> <p>Clutter and mess are more than just visual nuisances. They can have a profound impact on mental wellbeing, productivity and our choices.</p> <p>Understanding why clutter affects you can empower you to take control of your mindset, your living spaces and, in turn, your life.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211684/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erika-penney-1416241">Erika Penney</a>, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-a-messy-house-such-an-anxiety-trigger-for-me-and-what-can-i-do-about-it-211684">original article</a>.</em></p>

Mind

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5 satisfying ways to de-clutter and get rid of everything you don’t want

<p>Instead of letting your old belongings gather dust in the spare room, why not make it a priority to remove those old things that you don’t use anymore. Follow our tips below where we show you five different ways to get rid of unwanted items (and maybe even make a little money in the process).</p> <p><strong>Sell, sell, sell</strong></p> <p>eBay is a great place to start for items such as stereos, CDs, vinyl, mobile phones, or clothing (even better if it is a well-known brand).</p> <p>When it comes to books, try checking out Amazon as they have a huge market for second hand items. It’s best to use this for quality books or rare items that have people looking for them. Old cookbooks or romance novels are best offered to the charity shop.</p> <p>You can easily move your quality pieces of furniture through antiques stores or local second hand shops. Most offer a pick-up service for larger items that they want to sell.</p> <p>If you have lots of odds and ends, a garage sale can be a good option. If you’re not sure that you have enough, consider asking a friend or neighbour if they want to host a sale with you.</p> <p><strong>Give a gift</strong></p> <p>If you’re holding onto things because they are worth something, but you don’t actually need or want them – why not give them away as a gift?</p> <p>Your old record collection or suitcase full of toy cars may be just gathering dust but would be well received by the right person.</p> <p>The only exception is an item such as artwork which has appreciated significantly in value while you owned it. In this case the recipient would owe capital gains tax if they sold it later.</p> <p><strong>Make a donation</strong></p> <p>Your local charity shop will always be happy to take donations of good quality clothing, blankets, shoes, toys and homewares. You can feel good knowing that you are helping needy people in your local area. Some charity stores can’t accept electronics or large pieces of furniture, so it’s best to check before you arrive with a loaded up trailer.</p> <p>You can also donate books and recent magazines to your local library or hospital.</p> <p><strong>Liquidate It</strong></p> <p>If you want to get rid of all of the furniture (for instance if you are selling a house of a deceased relative) you could consider using a liquidator. These businesses take care of the sale of each item and then take a percentage of the sales. Be sure to ask around for any recommendations before you choose one, as it’s always advisable to go with a liquidator with a good reputation.</p> <p><strong>Toss It</strong></p> <p>If it’s not really something that you can sell or donate, the last stop is to throw it out. Be sure to recycle anything that you can – and check with your local council as most offer a free clear up service at least once a year to save you a trip to the local tip.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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21 more organising tips you'll wish you knew all along

<p><strong>Give in to the piles</strong></p> <p>“For people who chronically pile papers instead of filing them, ditch your filing cabinet. Instead, keep your piles but make them a little more structured by putting them into clear bins and then labelling them by category. It’s best if bins are transparent—either wire or acrylic—because if you’re a piler then you also probably have a visual memory. Labelling helps other people interact with your piling system.” —Kelly McMenamin and Katie McMenamin, co-authors of Organise Your Way: Simple Strategies for Every Personality</p> <p><strong>Hang everything</strong></p> <p>“Consider hanging almost all of your clothes. (You can use a double hanger to increase hanging space.) This helps you see everything you have so you know exactly what’s there and what you need. Drawers should be reserved for socks and underwear only.” —Kelly McMenamin and Katie McMenamin</p> <p><strong>Don’t underestimate how draining clutter can be</strong></p> <p>“Being surrounded by a lot of stuff can wear you down, physically and emotionally. Your home should be a reflection of items that truly hold meaning for you – either because you really like them or because there’s a special memory attached to them. Don’t hang onto unused picture frames, knick-knacks, plates, bowls, vases and other items you don’t have out on display or use. And remember, just because it’s hidden in a closet doesn’t mean it won’t add to that overwhelmed feeling you have as you still have to take care of it.” —Jeffrey Welder</p> <p><strong>Note how your taste changes</strong></p> <p>“Just because you loved something once doesn’t mean you still have to love it ten years later. Times change, people change, and trends change, and there’s nothing wrong with letting things go that no longer make you happy.” —Jeffrey Welder</p> <p><strong>Over-the-door shoe organisers aren’t just for shoes</strong></p> <p>“Hanging shoe organisers are a handy tool to keep clutter off floors and shelves, with uses for every room of your house. Try hanging one in your laundry room to organise all of your cleaning supplies. Or put one on your pantry door as the pouches are the perfect size to organise small boxes and gravy packets. Hang one in your bathroom to organise makeup and other toiletries. Use one in the playroom to keep Legos, matchbox cars, stuffed animals, and other small toys off the floor and in plain sight. Or try one in your workroom to keep all of your craft and wrapping supplies together.” —Jeffrey Welder</p> <p><strong>Use the empty spaces above too</strong></p> <p>“Under cabinets often end up packed to the gills (and hard to use) or half full of dead space. A simple solution is to use half shelves or stackable containers to use as much of the vertical area as you can.” —Schae Lewis and Bahar Partow</p> <p><strong>Make it a game</strong></p> <p>“Our clients love the ‘12-12-12 challenge.’ Each week, set a time to find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper home. It takes just a few minutes and is a fun, easy way to quickly organise 36 things in your house.” —Alison Bradley of the London Cleaning Team</p> <p><strong>Throw a swap party</strong></p> <p>“If you want to declutter without being wasteful, throw a party and invite friends to bring unused or unwanted items to swap. Everyone gets to go home with something new, and if you end up with leftovers, donate them to a local charity.” —Alison Bradley</p> <p><strong>Shop your wardrobe</strong></p> <p>“An easy way to declutter your wardrobe is to hold up each item and ask yourself, ‘Would I buy this again right now?’ If the answer is no, no matter what the reason is, out it goes.” —Hazel Thornton, professional organiser and author of Go with the Flow! The Clutter-Clearing Tool Kit for an Organised Life</p> <p><strong>Question your stuff</strong></p> <p>“For each item you consider bringing into the house, ask yourself three questions: Where is this going to live? Who will take care of it? Can I afford the money, time and energy it will require? If you don’t have a ready answer for any of these, then put it back.” —Hazel Thornton</p> <p><strong>Start at the bottom of the pile and work up</strong></p> <p>“For overwhelming paper piles, take a sheet from the bottom of the pile. The paper at the bottom is likely to be outdated, unneeded, even forgotten about, and no longer useful. That makes it easy to get rid of.” —Claire Tompkins, clutter coach and author of Five Minutes to a Relaxing Bedroom</p> <p><strong>Can you handle the truth?</strong></p> <p>"It’s hard to figure out what’s clutter in your own space because you’re so used to it. You take it for granted. Sometimes you can’t even see it. So pretend you’re showing a nosy visitor around. When she picks up that decorative box and asks you why you have it and if you like it, you may find yourself answering that it was left over from a white elephant sale and actually, no, you don’t even want it. The results can be surprising and liberating.” —Claire Tompkins</p> <p><strong>Keep things where you actually need them</strong></p> <p>“Put garbage or recycling bins where they’ll be used. If rubbish or recycling collect in the bedroom or living room, save yourself a trip and put the bins there, so you don’t have to go searching for them when you need them. Keep your shredder and recycling bin near where you process incoming mail. This allows you to take care of the paper right away rather than letting it pile up.” —Sarah Krivel, owner of Simpler Surroundings, a professional organising and productivity consulting company</p> <p><strong>Cherish the memory with a photo</strong></p> <p>“If you’re keeping something purely for sentimental reasons, take a picture and then give the item away. Recognise it’s the memory you cherish, not the actual item.” —Sarah Krivel</p> <p><strong>Set a limit for decluttering</strong></p> <p>“To avoid getting overwhelmed, I suggest to my clients to set the timer on their phones for a half hour. When the buzzer goes off they can stop! This can also be done by saying you’ll fill one bag to give away and then take a break. Often, just seeing their progress is motivation enough to keep going.” —Felice Cohen, professional organiser</p> <p><strong>Get creative with repurposing old items</strong></p> <p>“Sometimes something doesn’t need to be thrown out; sometimes it just needs to be used in a different way. For instance, use an empty tissue box to hold extra plastic grocery bags inside a kitchen pantry, cabinet, or closet. Or repurpose a bathroom towel rod by placing it on a garage wall to hold skateboards or longboards.” —Nancy Haworth, professional organiser, On Task Organising</p> <p><strong>If you don’t love it or use it, lose it</strong></p> <p>“This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing what we can talk ourselves into keeping. For instance, gifts that we received and now feel obligated to keep forever, clothing that collects dust in our wardrobe but was too expensive to just get rid of, or childhood mementos that are taking over your storage space even though you’ve never taken the time to actually look back on them. If there is something that you are holding on to, be honest with yourself. Do you love it? Do you use it? Your home is a representation of yourself, and it should only be filled with items that you enjoy and use.” —Rachel Rosenthal, professional organiser and owner of Rachel and Company</p> <p><strong>Don’t forget why libraries exist</strong></p> <p>“If you have a large book collection, gather all your books from around the house so you can sort through them all together. Keep the ones you will still read, still reference, or have a particular love of. The rest can be donated. Remember, you can download many books now, and libraries still exist. Once you’ve whittled down your collection, decide how you would like to display your books: by topic, by author, by size, or by colour. Shelve the keepers accordingly. Create sections like a library or bookstore would have (thriller, reference, biography, comedy) or alphabetical by author.” —Amy Trager, certified professional organiser.</p> <p><strong>Organise spices alphabetically</strong></p> <p>“This allows you to quickly find what your recipe calls for, as well as figure out which spices your cabinet is missing. Whether in a drawer, laying flat, or in a cabinet on tiered shelves, alphabetizing will make grabbing spices quick and putting them away just as fast. If you enjoy cooking a lot and a variety of cuisines, you can also organise spices by cuisine type: Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, baking, etc.” —Amy Trager</p> <p><strong>The bye-bye box</strong></p> <p>“Take all supplies off of the top of your desk – pens, sticky notes, paper clips, etc – and put them in a box to the side. As you work, take out only the things you need to use. After two weeks, you’ll know what you actually use, and whatever hasn’t been taken out of the box can be discarded or donated.” —Sara Skillen</p> <p><strong>Save the instructions</strong></p> <p>“It makes sense that the manual for something like a printer, television, or computer should be kept next to or under the item it goes with. Sure, you could file them away, but chances are when you need the manual you will be standing next to the malfunctioning item. So simply slip the instructions underneath, taped to the back, or next to the equipment.” —Lee Silber, author of Organising from the Right Side of the Brain</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/42-organising-tips-youll-wish-you-knew-all-along" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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How to declutter your inbox

<p><strong><em>Lisa Du is director of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.readytechgo.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ReadyTechGo</a></span>, a service that helps people gain the confidence and skills to embrace modern technology.</em></strong></p> <p>Is your inbox looking a little cluttered? Are you finding it hard to find past emails amongst the sheer mess that it already houses? There’s a solution, of course!</p> <p><strong>Delete, delete, delete</strong></p> <p>The first thing you should do? Delete stuff. Delete as much as you possibly can. And be ruthless about it. Don’t delete anything that you might need, obviously, like important receipts, password information, or reminders. But something like a notification from Facebook telling you that it’s someone’s birthday...yeah, that can go.</p> <p>For someone who doesn’t delete their emails, this will clear up your inbox considerably. In fact, it might take you a long while if you’re the type to leave hundreds of emails unread in your inbox. And for those of you who have thousands of unread emails, well... this process will be a lot more impractical for you.</p> <p><strong>File away your emails</strong></p> <p>Following this act of ruthless deletion, if your inbox is still looking a little too messy for your liking, there’s something else you can do: categorise. What this essentially means is that you can create different folders or labels for your emails, and then file your emails under each of these different folders accordingly. For instance, if you’ve been doing a little online shopping, and getting lots of confirmation emails for your orders, you might want to keep them in a folder called, “Shopping Receipts”.</p> <p>Though there are a lot of email hosts out there, the steps are generally the same. Here’s how to do it on a couple of sites.</p> <p><strong>On Gmail.com: </strong></p> <ol start="1"> <li>Go to Gmail on your browser and login to your account</li> <li>You’ll see a sidebar on the left-hand side of your screen with different email categories, including “Inbox” and “Sent Mail”. Click on “More”</li> <li>This will expand the sidebar selection. You’ll see a section that says “Categories”. Click on “Create new label” under this section</li> <li>In the dialog box that pops up, type in the name of your label</li> <li>Now, you’ll see your new label under the left-hand sidebar</li> <li>Simply click and drag your emails into this label to file them</li> <li>From now on, when you want to find emails under this label, you’ll need to click into the label to see them</li> </ol> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="../media/29156/gmail-declutter-inbox_499x445.jpg" alt="Gmail Declutter Inbox" width="499" height="445" /></p> <p><strong>On Outlook.com</strong></p> <ol> <li>Login to your email account on Outlook.com</li> <li>You’ll see a sidebar on the left-hand side of your screen titled "Folders" with different email categories, including “Inbox” and “Junk Email”. Hover your mouse over this title</li> <li>Beside the word “Folders”, you’ll see a plus sign. Click on this plus sign to create a new folder</li> <li>At the bottom of your sidebar, you’ll see a new entry for a new folder. Type the name of your new folder into this entry and press ENTER on your keyboard</li> <li>This entry will now be a new folder under the left-hand sidebar</li> <li>Simply click and drag your emails into this folder to file them</li> <li>From now on, when you want to find emails under this folder, you’ll need to click into the folder to see them.</li> </ol> <p><strong><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="../media/29155/outlook-delclutter-inbox.jpg" alt="Outlook Delclutter Inbox" width="449" height="168" /></strong></p> <p>Being able to file your emails under different categories will not only clear up your inbox, but it will also introduce some order to your emails. Finding certain emails will be easier, your inbox will be less of an eyesore, and important emails will be less likely to become lost amongst a sea of spam.</p> <p><em>For more information about ReadyTechGo, visit their <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.readytechgo.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Technology

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17 things you need to throw out ASAP

<p><strong>Dangers in the home</strong></p> <p>You wouldn’t think old pancake mix, spices, or makeup could be a problem – but they have the potential to make you very sick. Remove the dangers from your household with this handy guide.</p> <p><strong>Off-brand phone chargers</strong></p> <p>You may be tempted to buy that cheapy model at the airport, but studies show this can pose dangers to your expensive smartphone.</p> <p>Ken Shirriff of How-To Geek took a dozen chargers and put them to the test. He found that most off-brand chargers provided inconsistent power, leading to battery damage.</p> <p><strong>Old pancake mix</strong></p> <p>According to experts at DoesItGoBad.com, packaged pancake mixes (along with many other cake mixes) can be toxic in certain circumstances.</p> <p>It’s a breeding ground for hard-to-spot mould and bacteria, which can be fatal for allergy sufferers. If it is past the “best by” date on the label, toss that expired box or bag right away.</p> <p><strong>Dried flowers </strong></p> <p>Pets tend to chew on things they aren’t supposed to – and that can be dangerous if you have dried flower arrangements lying around. According to The Nest, the issue is twofold: The flowers themselves pose a threat, and so do the materials used to make the flower arrangements.</p> <p>Many plants are toxic to both dogs and cats, and these materials can cause serious intestinal blockages or even acute poisoning.</p> <p><strong>Expired makeup</strong></p> <p>Yes, beauty products do go bad. Even worse – they can cause breakouts, skin parasites, infections, and loss of vision if not disposed of at the proper time.</p> <p>While it may be difficult to toss away our precious samples, old makeup can serve as a breeding ground for germs, harbouring nasty bacteria that can wreak some serious damage.</p> <p><strong>Wire hangers</strong></p> <p>Keeping your clothes on flimsy metal for too long can damage your favourite pieces. Maeve Richmond, a home organisation expert and founder of Maeve’s Method, tells Well and Good: “Wire hangers truly are too thin."</p> <p>"Not only can they cause awkward stretch marks on clothes, but they will bend over time, causing unsightly bunch-ups in our closets, and our clothing to hang at funny angles.”</p> <p><strong>Old dish sponges</strong></p> <p>A study published in Scientific Advances reveals that the most bacteria-riddled thing in your house is your kitchen sponge. Their porous nature and liquid-absorbing abilities make them the ideal living space.</p> <p>Even if you’re practicing proper hygiene – soaping and rinsing the sponge regularly – it won’t be enough. Experts recommend replacing your kitchen sponge weekly.</p> <p><strong>Stale spices</strong></p> <p>Most people choose to believe spices can last forever – they don’t. A report from the FDA notes that common imported spices are contaminated with salmonella at twice the rate of all other imported foods, including coriander, oregano, basil, sesame seeds and black pepper.</p> <p>If you want to avoid an unexpected bout of food poisoning, make sure to clean out your pantry regularly.</p> <p><strong>Cheap jewellery</strong></p> <p>Those bargain deals are too good to be true: A non-profit organisation called The Ecology Centre ran tests on 99 pieces of jewellery that were purchased from 14 different discount stores.</p> <p>They found that over half of the jewellery – all of which cost less than ten dollars – had high levels of toxic chemicals; 27 of the pieces had lead levels that exceeded the safe limit (300 ppm) for children’s products.</p> <p><strong>Air freshener</strong></p> <p>You may be a fan of the way they make your house or car smell, but air fresheners can contain serious toxins called phthalates – and many don’t even list them as an active ingredient. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, those toxins can easily affect hormones and reproductive health, especially in children.</p> <p>Side effects for men included lower testosterone levels, decreased sperm counts, and lower sperm quality.</p> <p><strong>Plastic containers</strong></p> <p>Tupperware, Gladware, Snapware, you name it – everyone has a collection of plastic containers. They’re great for storing leftovers, but studies show these can contain high levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxin frequently found in plastics.</p> <p>Even in low doses, it can have a significant impact on hormonal balance and the brain. Make sure to never use plastic containers in the microwave unless they are labelled microwave safe. Try using glass or stainless steel containers instead.</p> <p><strong>Fabric sprays</strong></p> <p>While they might protect your couches and chairs from stains, many of these sprays contain questionable chemicals that can contaminate the air in your house.</p> <p>The National Consumer Affairs Centre of Japan found fluorine resin in four of seven major spray brands. The size of the particles was enough that inhaling the spray would pose a significant health risk.</p> <p><strong>Old contact lens case</strong></p> <p>If you’re neglecting the case you store your contacts in, you’re risking an eye infection according to optometrist Reecha Kampani, OD.</p> <p>She advises throwing out your solution daily and replacing the lens case once every three months. Using a case for too long can add to pathogen build-up, leading to potential scarring and vision loss.</p> <p><strong>Old electronics</strong></p> <p>How many old mobile phones do you have cluttering up drawers? How about out-dated laptops stacked in the closet? You need to get rid of them because they’re chock full of toxic stuff, like arsenic, lead and cadmium, that erode over time.</p> <p>The lithium batteries in old electronics can also burst, creating a potential fire risk. Just be sure to dispose of them safely – they shouldn’t be placed in your bin.</p> <p><strong>Old bras</strong></p> <p>Bras shift and stretch over time – and this is more than an aesthetic nuisance: You won’t get the support you need from that worn-out underwire.</p> <p>According to the HuffPost, a bra’s lifespan could be only up to eight months. If the band is stretched and not fitting as well as it should, it may be time for a new one.</p> <p><strong>Old non-stick cookware</strong></p> <p>Non-stick pots and pans are made using a carcinogenic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which starts emitting toxic fumes every time you cook.</p> <p>This kind of cookware is associated with harmful side effects to the liver, thyroid, and immune system in general, according to the EPA. Go for stainless steel, glass, ceramic, or iron pots and pans instead.</p> <p><strong>Oven cleaner</strong></p> <p>Most of these cleaners contain highly corrosive chemicals that can cause redness and burns if they come in contact with the skin.</p> <p>Don’t worry, you can always use alternatives like baking soda paste instead. Simply combine baking soda and water to create a safe oven cleaner.</p> <p><strong>Clogged air filters</strong></p> <p>Some studies suggest that a poorly maintained A/C system can become contaminated and be harmful to your health. Their findings note that moisture-related HVAC components, such as cooling coils and humidification systems, can trigger symptoms like upper and lower respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, headaches and fatigue.</p> <p>Older filters are more prone to contamination, so be sure to change them every 30-60 days.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/home-tips/17-things-you-need-throw-out-asap?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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How to organise kitchen cabinets, according to the pros

<p>Learning how to organise kitchen cabinets is an essential kitchen skill, and these organisation tips from the pros ensure you’re getting the most out of your space. When you start practising smart ways to clean and organise your cupboards, you’ll be amazed at how much space is created in the process.</p> <p>From pots and pans organisation to kitchen storage ideas for all home sizes, you’ll wish you knew these priceless organising tricks sooner!</p> <p><strong>How to organise kitchen cabinets</strong></p> <p>“One of the easiest ways to organise kitchen cabinets is to edit them often,” suggests home organiser, Britnee Tanner, who suggests pulling everything out and starting fresh. “Nothing helps eliminate clutter quite like going through every nook and cranny to expose the food, appliances and random kitchen gadgets that you never use or forgot you had.”</p> <p>Tanner also tells her clients to create organisational zones that make finding tools and ingredients quick and easy. It’s one of her favourite pantry organisation ideas too. “It’s ideal to create zones for each kitchen cabinet so you can easily find what you’re looking for when you need it. This means having a cabinet or specific shelf in a cabinet dedicated to one type of category such as snacks, baking supplies and dinnerware.”</p> <p>Julie Harris, organisation expert, emphasises keeping cabinet zones practical. “Use cabinets under the kitchen sink for cleaning products, dishwasher detergent, extra dish towels and sponges. Large, heavy appliances like standing mixers, slow cookers and air fryers belong in a lower cabinet. If it’s only used occasionally, put it in the back of the cabinet.”</p> <p><strong>Cabinet organisation tools</strong></p> <p>These genius kitchen organisers make cabinet organisation easier than ever.</p> <p><strong>Swedish dishcloths:</strong> you’ll want a high-quality, reusable cloth to wipe down your cabinets before putting items back in. These dishcloths can be used, washed and reused hundreds of times.</p> <p><strong>Lazy Susan:</strong> invest in a few affordable turntables to keep spices, condiments and other musts-haves within reach. Lady Susans are easy to clean and keeps food and cleaning supplies within sight. They are inexpensive, so grabbing a few of these turntables won’t break the bank.</p> <p><strong>Under the sink organiser:</strong> keeping cleaning supplies tidy beneath your sink is a must. An expandable organiser fits most lower cabinets, and it even stretches around pesky pipes.</p> <p><strong>Adjustable drawer dividers:</strong> keep cutlery and cooking utensils clutter-free with adjustable dividers. Kitchen drawer organisers are some of the most important clutter-killers out there, and they’re especially important for busy households.</p> <p><strong>Pots and pans organiser:</strong> finding a home for your best cookware is a feat of its own, especially if you’re short on cabinet space or have awkwardly-shaped cabinets. A pots and pan organising rack keeps cookware clutter-free.</p> <p><strong>Take inventory</strong></p> <p>Pull everything out of your cabinets and take inventory of what’s in-stock, expired or broken.</p> <p>Throw out expired and broken goods and consider donating excess items.</p> <p>Wipe down cabinet doors, shelves and back walls. Optional: consider adjusting your shelf heights to accommodate large kitchen appliances.</p> <p><strong>Organise lower cupboards and shelves</strong></p> <p>Arrange cleaning supplies in the cupboard below your sink with an under the sink organiser or turntable.</p> <p>Place cleaning supplies like sponges, dishcloths and extra dish soaps on the turntable or organiser of your choice.</p> <p>Dedicate a second lower cupboard for most-used benchtop appliances. “Air fryers belong in a lower cabinet,” says Harris. She advises that seldom-used appliances should be stored towards the back while frequently-used appliances deserve front row access. Reserve a third lower cupboard for infrequently-used cookware. “Store pots and pans in a cabinet next to the stove,” adds Harris. “Stack pots and pans to save space or lay them on their side using a pots and pans organiser. Store lids together.”</p> <p><strong>Dedicate space for spices</strong></p> <p>Take stock of spices and seasonings and see what blends can be combined. Chances are you have a few garlic powders that could be consolidated in one spice container.</p> <p>Find a spice organiser solution and assemble spices accordingly. We recommend dedicating a drawer or cabinet (doesn’t need to big) for spices and adding a multi-tiered drawer or cabinet insert. If you’re working with less space, a turntable is also a quick (and affordable) fix.</p> <p><strong>Organise drawers</strong></p> <p>Use adjustable drawer dividers to create space for everyday cutlery like forks, knives and spoons.</p> <p>Reserve a separate drawer for serve ware, cooking utensils and handheld kitchen gadgets. These shouldn’t co-mingle with everyday cutlery – it’s clutter waiting to happen.</p> <p>Clean out the junk drawer. (We know you have one.) Organise what’s in the junk drawer into categories and determine if there’s a better place for some of the items. One junk drawer is OK, but it shouldn’t be so cluttered that you can’t find anything in it.</p> <p>Pro tip: if you’re short on drawer space, cooking utensils and serve ware can live on the countertop in a ceramic or metal container.</p> <p><strong>Arrange upper cabinets</strong></p> <p>The upper cabinets are your final frontier. These are the cabinets that are used the most, so it’s important to put extra love and care into them.</p> <p>“Place all coffee items (mugs, coffee containers and pods) in a cabinet near the coffee maker,” adds Harris. “Keeping these items in one location facilitates a smooth morning routine.” If you have extra space in that cabinet, you can add teas, sweeteners and flavoured syrups.</p> <p>Dedicate a cabinet to plates and bowls and a separate cabinet for drinkware. “I recommend nesting plates and bowls to save space wherever possible,” says Tanner. “I also recommend utilising upper cabinet shelves or deep pull-out drawers for items like plates, cups and bowls. If you have tall cabinets with more vertical space, consider adding a compact kitchen organiser that adds shelf space as it maximises the vertical area and creates the perfect spot for storing plates below and things like bowls or cups on top of it.”</p> <p><strong>How do you decide where to put things in kitchen cabinets?</strong></p> <p>Tanner and Harris agree that creating workstations or zones is the best way to organise kitchen cabinets. Coffee products should be in an upper cabinet near the coffee maker; sponges and cleaning supplies belong under the kitchen sink; and your most-used pots and pans deserve a spot near the stove, preferably in a lower cabinet.</p> <p><strong>How do you organise corner cabinets?</strong></p> <p>Corner cabinets are a prime opportunity to use turntables. They’re ideal for storing smaller items like spices, oils and vinegars. Look into kitchen organisation tools that are designed for tricky spaces to make the most of awkward spaces.</p> <p><strong>How do you organise deep kitchen cabinets?</strong></p> <p>Harris suggests placing infrequently-used and large, heavy items toward the back of deep cabinets. For example, if you only use your panini press a few times a year, it should be stored in the back. This system works for even the most unique kitchen cabinets.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p>Learning how to organise kitchen cabinets is daunting, but it’s a life-changing task that’s guaranteed to clear clutter and lighten the load. Just remember to edit out expired or unused pantry and kitchen items every few months. You’ll be a kitchen cabinet organising pro in no time!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/how-to-organise-kitchen-cabinets-according-to-the-pros?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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How to organise your digital clutter

<p><strong>Getting your digital clutter under control </strong></p> <p><span>The days of bursting file cabinets and desks buried under paper may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean our 21st-century lives are any more organised. With wireless technology integrated into our daily routines, many of us have simply traded paper clutter for digital disarray. </span></p> <p><span>You might take it for granted, but it’s there: Your overflowing inbox, that mess of files on your desktop screen, and those alerts that your phone’s storage is at capacity. </span></p> <p><span>The shift from working in the office to remotely from home during the pandemic has blurred the division of personal and business files even further, making organisation that much more of a challenge. </span></p> <p><span>“When one of the digital areas of our life is getting full, it can feel overwhelming,” says productivity coach Clare Kumar. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting that digital clutter under control.</span></p> <p><strong>Set aside time for a digital clean-up</strong></p> <p>Don’t expect to clean up your digital clutter at the end of a workday when you’re already feeling fatigued. It’s best to schedule this task for a day that you’ll have the time and energy to complete it, just as you might set aside a day for spring-cleaning your house.</p> <p>“As with any organising project, it takes some mental energy, strategic thinking and planning,” says Kumar. It’s also important to tune into how satisfied you feel after doing a bit organising – that will motivate you to keep going.</p> <p>If you find that a periodic mass clean-up of your devices is way too overwhelming, figure out what frequency works for you. Like putting your clothes away at the end of the day, it might feel easier to delete unwanted photos right after you take them.</p> <p>Expert tip: Think about organising your digital clutter from a legacy point of view. Your next of kin needs to be aware of what you own – passwords, finances, legal documents – and where these files are located in case of an emergency.</p> <p><strong>Establish priorities for what you want to keep - or delete </strong></p> <p>According to Kumar, the first thing to do when you’re setting out to organise all your files, whether they’re online banking statements or videos from your last holiday, is to think about what’s important to you.</p> <p>In the same way that you would sort through physical clutter in a room – think junk drawers, old magazines, day-old dishes – imagine it’s your spam emails and outdated documents that are taking up precious space in your digital environment.</p> <p>“You do want to be intentional about this because it’s quite abstract,” she says. The key questions to ask yourself are: What files do you want to keep and how do you want to use them?</p> <p>For example, if your passion is photography, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough room on your devices to store photos, and an organisational strategy to find them again.</p> <p>Expert tip: Start by dividing all the files across your devices that you want to organise into broad categories like photos, work and taxes.</p> <p><strong>Choose the right storage option</strong></p> <p>Chances are, you’ve received a warning from at least one of your smart devices that you’re dangerously close to reaching your storage limit. Luckily, there are a number of different digital storage options you can tap to transfer those files from your device.</p> <p>These options can be divided into two broad categories: physical storage devices (like USB flash drives or external hard drives) that plug into your device, and cloud-based storage (like Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive) that are accessed online and store your files on a remote server. When might you choose one over the other?</p> <p>Well, it depends on what types of files you’re storing, how large they are and how you want to access them in the future. For example, if you’re storing digital photo files you’d like to share with family members, a cloud-based storage would be better because it allows multiple users shared access to the same documents.</p> <p>While it might be tempting to save all your files into a single location, Kumar notes that there’s nothing wrong with using several options – provided they make not only storage but also retrieval as effortless as possible.</p> <p>“My iPhone is backed up to iCloud because that’s natural in that environment, and I use Google Drive because my Gmail’s backed up within that,” she says.</p> <p>Expert tip: Don’t forget to factor in legal requirements for work-related files that might need to be held in more secure storage.</p> <p><strong>Create an organising system that makes sense to you</strong></p> <p>It’s certainly easier in the moment to leave digital files with their automatically-generated file names, but being more deliberate with your labelling pays off in the long run. If you’re looking for a cherished family photo from a few holidays back, you’ll have an easier time finding it under the file name “family-holiday-fiji-july-2019.jpg” versus “10077892.jpg.”</p> <p>“The sole purpose of organisation is to help you find it later,” says Kumar. “You’re paying yourself forward whenever you create a file name that is going to be easy to find.”</p> <p>There are two aspects to this – how you find things and the way that you name things. File hierarchies can become complex and maze-like the more levels you add, so it’s best to keep things as simple as possible. For example, nesting your photo in the folders “Photos  – &gt; 2021  – &gt; March” will make them a breeze to track down later.</p> <p>If you’re a more visual person, apply that to your organising strategy. Love downloading apps on your phone but not how they clutter the home screen? Group them together by colour.</p> <p>“Put only as much structure as you need, and not more,” advises Kumar. The same rule applies to naming files – make it as easy as possible for your brain.</p> <p>Expert tip: When naming files, start with the date and then topic like “yyyy-mm-dd-taxes.” That will allow you to sort files chronologically so you can always see the oldest or the most recent.</p> <p><strong>Take advantage of organising apps</strong></p> <p>There are plenty of different apps on the market that are designed to help with digital decluttering. For those who want to get their inbox and email subscriptions under control, Kumar recommends Unroll.Me for your smartphone.</p> <p>The tool allows you to easily unsubscribe from unwanted emails or combine your favourite subscriptions into a single email. If you find yourself keeping multiple tabs open day after day, the browser extension OneTab consolidates them into a single list to save your device’s memory (and your time).</p> <p>To scrub your social media accounts of old – and possibly embarrassing – posts, you can often delete or archive within the app.</p> <p>Expert tip: If you’ve hit an all-time high number of emails in your inbox, it might be time for a clean sweep. “I highly recommend saving emails that really matter from a sentimental or a business documentation point of view, and then you can do mass delete by time,” says Kumar.</p> <p><strong>Schedule regular decluttering in your routine</strong></p> <p>Kumar recommends checking in on all your devices and files on a quarterly basis. At the minimum, do a yearly audit of the storage you’re using. You could be missing out on a new app that’s more efficient or realise that your storage solution is outdated (or even full).</p> <p>If you still have some old documents on outdated technology like floppy disks, it might be time to think about transferring them to a more reliable supported location before they’re permanently lost. You can still copy data over to a modern computer using an external or internal floppy drive, but technology may have evolved to a point where certain old file formats can no longer be read.</p> <p>“There’s a window when the services are fairly affordable to convert those things and it’s worthwhile jumping on before it becomes a really exclusive and expensive service,” says Kumar.</p> <p>Expert tip: Kumar recommends reading <em>The Organised Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload </em>by Daniel J. Levitin for a neuroscientist’s take on how to navigate all the data we consume.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/science-technology/how-to-organise-your-digital-clutter">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Technology

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Why TV decluttering shows need to clean up their act

<blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Homes across Britain looking fine on the outside but secretly they’re drowning on their inside…Homes, people, lives, they’re crushed by loads of stuff.</p> </blockquote> <p>This is the opening sequence of Nick Knowles’ Big House Clearout, a TV show on Channel 5 in the UK. In each episode a family have the entire contents of their home laid out on the floor of a warehouse for them to declutter. In episode one Nick says:</p> <blockquote> <p>Many many piles are going off to charity shops and stuff’s being gifted away and then of course there is the pile that is being thrown away…So now you have the fun of getting this into the skip.</p> </blockquote> <p>The family then whoop and cheer as they fill the skip with their unrecyclable and unwanted stuff.</p> <p>The house decluttering and makeover TV show is a popular format that has been re-worked over the years. Other recent examples include Hoarder SOS on Channel 4, Sort Your Life Out on BBC One and Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and Get Organized with The Home Edit on Netflix. I enjoy watching these shows but, as an academic who researches sustainable consumption and <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-spoke-to-minimalists-to-find-out-why-they-are-giving-up-their-personal-possessions-155353">minimalist living</a>, I’ve been worried about what happens to all the stuff that gets decluttered.</p> <p>A standard format involves a tour of the home of a family that is struggling to live with large amounts of clutter. The family’s belongings are then all taken away to be sorted or are sorted in their house. A home makeover or reorganisation is carried out, with the help of the TV show host, and a transformation to a tidy, organised home and happy family is revealed at the end.</p> <p>However, there is often little to no consideration of the environmental impact associated with these major clear-outs.</p> <p>Some decluttering shows give little consideration of where the large bags of unwanted things are <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15327086211049703?af=R&amp;ai=1gvoi&amp;mi=3ricys">going to end up</a>. Although the objects in these shows seem to magically disappear, they are still in existence somewhere in the world. Perhaps they do find a new home and are re-used – or perhaps they end up incinerated or in landfill.</p> <p>While some shows just don’t mention where the decluttered items are going to go, others turn the act of throwing them away into an enjoyable event. As mentioned above, throwing unwanted possessions in a skip destined for landfill is described as “fun”, or in the second episode: “This is the exciting bit when you get to chuck it all in the skip”. With the UK producing around <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49827945">27 million tonnes</a> of household waste in 2017, I’m not sure throwing objects into a skip is something that should be celebrated.</p> <p>Also, despite these sorts of TV shows being focused on families that clearly have tendencies to accumulate a lot of possessions, there is often little to no advice given to them from the show hosts as to how they might try and prevent accumulating so much again in the future. Only focusing on decluttering and not focusing on how things are acquired in the first place, seems to treat the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14695405211039608">symptoms rather than the cause</a>.</p> <p>Sometimes shows do consider the wider impact of disposing of objects. For instance in Hoarder SOS there is a focus on selling some items, while in Sort Your Life Out there are clear signs put up for piles of things to donate, recycle and sell. But perhaps these good intentions are contradicted by the unsustainable central message of the format which essentially rests on people accruing lots of things, being encouraged to get rid of a lot of them, and then being offered little to no advice on how to stop this happening again.</p> <p>Overall, decluttering shows reflect excessive capitalist consumption in which people are becoming increasingly unhappy with increasing amounts of stuff and are finding greater happiness through <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1469540512444019">owning less</a>. The shows’ focus on the positive outcome of having a tidy and decluttered home is helpful for the individual’s personal happiness. But if shows do not highlight disposing of things sustainably, or not continuing to acquire objects in the future, this raises environmental waste issues.</p> <p>To be more sustainably conscious, any show promoting the personal benefits of decluttering should focus on ways of preventing unwanted objects from going into landfill. This could be through upcycling – where waste material is turned into something more valuable – or through giving unwanted items away as gifts or selling them.</p> <p>Or, perhaps a new, even more environmentally conscious TV show, could help people find ways to reduce their shopping and consumption habits, and to re-use and upcycle what they already own, to prevent the need for mass decluttering in the first place?<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/174443/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amber-martin-woodhead-1213457">Amber Martin-Woodhead</a>, Assistant professor in Human Geography, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/coventry-university-1346">Coventry University</a></em></span></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-tv-decluttering-shows-need-to-clean-up-their-act-174443">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: <span class="attribution"><span class="source">GoodStudio/shutterstock</span></span></em></p> </blockquote>

TV

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5 tiny changes that will make your home instantly happier

<p><strong>Keep clutter minimal</strong></p> <p>A stack of books. A pile of papers. Knick-knacks everywhere! If objects are crowding every surface of your home, you’re not alone. The first step to being truly happy in your space is to figure out what to keep, and what to let go. “A cluttered room is much more likely to produce, and contribute to, a cluttered mind,” says professional organiser Marie Kondo, author of the bestseller <em>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</em>. “I believe that only in an uncluttered room, which enables an uncluttered mind, can you truly focus your attention and your energy on the matters in your life which are preventing you from reaching your truest happiness.”</p> <p>According to design psychologist Sally Augustin, the powerful mental effects of clutter have roots in our evolution. “In our early days as a species, our lives depended on continually surveying the environment and seeing if anything was going to eat us,” she says. “Today we continue to survey our environment, and too many things make this subconscious reviewing more difficult, which is why the visual complexity of clutter is so stressful.” A study from Princeton University shows that too much disorganised stimuli simply overwhelms the brain.</p> <p><strong>Display meaningful objects</strong></p> <p>The process of letting go of ‘stuff’ doesn’t mean you should live in a stark environment, according to Dr Augustin that would feel alien to us. Kondo’s method uses the test of whether an object ‘sparks joy’ in your heart. “When you decide what to keep based on what sparks joy, you are establishing and reaffirming to yourself what is most important to you,” she says. It’s not about the latest home design styles, it’s how an object makes you feel.</p> <p>Still love showing off that soccer trophy from third grade? Keep it! As far as how much to display, balance out the chaos in your life with a visually quieter environment. The amount that feels right may vary from person to person, but Dr Augustin suggests four or five pictures in a room and a couple of objects on a surface, depending on the size. Kondo says an added benefit of going through your possessions is learning how to get rid of mental baggage as well as the physical. “The skills you learn can be applied in your life well beyond deciding on which souvenir coffee mug to keep,” she says.</p> <p><strong>Create a calming space</strong></p> <p><span>Finding a ‘sanctuary’ in your home gives your mind a place to go to rest and restore, helping you feel more at peace. It doesn’t have to be a whole room, it could be a reading nook, a knitting or craft space, or even a ‘home spa’ in your bathroom. In carving out your sacred space, Dr Augustin suggests bright but muted colours like sage, soft textures like flannel, warm light, and curved lines in patterns and objects instead of straight lines. Studies show we prefer curved lines because we see sharp transitions, such as right angles, as more of a threat.</span></p> <p><strong>Bring nature inside</strong></p> <p><span>Studies have shown nature to be calming to our psyche, so one way to feel happier in your space is to bring plants inside. “Bringing nature into your home definitely has powerful psychological effects,” says interior designer and design psychology coach </span><a href="http://www.happystartsathome.com/">Rebecca West</a><span>. “Peace lilies are one of my favourites because they’re easy-to-care-for and do well in low light conditions.” Dr Augustin also suggests avoiding spiky plants. “We associate comfort with curvy shapes and not spiky ones, which make us more alert,” she says. Houseplants have the added benefit of helping to refresh the air in a room, making you healthier, according to research. “But if you aren’t blessed with a green thumb, then fresh flowers or even a print of a garden or a wall mural of trees can affect some of that same profound healing,” West says. “Even having natural wood furniture in your home partnered with green accessories or wall paint can bring that outdoor feeling inside.”</span></p> <p><strong>Make your space more social</strong></p> <p><span>Humans are pro-social beings, so your home should also be a place where you feel comfortable inviting friends over. Consider buying home items that lend themselves to socialising: a barbecue, a fire pit to gather around, or board games for game night. Plus, make sure your rooms are arranged for easy socialising. “If you want your living room to be ready for a book club, then it should be arranged to focus on conversation, not a giant TV,” West says. Dr Augustin suggests considering your guests’ varying personalities as well. “Extroverts would prefer couches and introverts would prefer an individual chair, so you should have a range of options,” she says. “Arrange the furniture so people can make easy eye contact with each other, but also so they can gracefully break eye contact and look at something else, like a fish tank, a piece of art, or a window with a view.” These ‘positive distractions’ can help you and your guests adhere to humans’ preferred length of eye contact; about three seconds, according to </span><a href="http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/7/160086">research</a><span>.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Written by Tina Donvito. This article first appeared in </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-tiny-changes-that-will-make-your-home-instantly-happier" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reader’s Digest</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here’s our best subscription offer.</span></a></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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The top six benefits of decluttering your home

<p>We all collect a lot of material possessions during our lives and if we don’t declutter at some stage, it can become overwhelming later on down the track when you find you have so much stuff, you can hardly move.</p> <p>So, here are some extra reasons to motivate you to start decluttering your home now.</p> <p>By decluttering your home and you will end up decluttering your life and it doesn’t need to be as painful as you might think.</p> <p>There are many benefits to owning fewer possessions. Even though it can feel tough to move into action, once these benefits reveal themselves, you’ll be so glad you did.</p> <p><strong>1. Less to clean</strong>: Cleaning is already enough of a chore, but having to clean in and around things you have don’t really want or need makes cleaning your home so much more stressful. With less in your home, cleaning will be easier.</p> <p><strong>2. Less to organise</strong>: When you declutter, finding things will suddenly become so much easier. Things won’t just ‘disappear’ anymore. You can actually move around your home and enjoy the space, instead of moving around things which are in your way and cause you stress because you know you don’t need them.</p> <p><strong>3. Less stress:</strong> Looking around at your clutter can be a sickening sight when your home is cluttered. Once you declutter, you’ll be able to look around and enjoy some possessions and feel more relaxed in the home you love.</p> <p><strong>4. Less debt:</strong> When you declutter, you realise you don’t need to shop for so many material possessions and this will keep your wallet and bank accounts fuller. Your credit cards will be used less and your home won’t get filled with costly things you don’t need.</p> <p><strong>5. More financial freedom: </strong>Many of us can live from week to week on our pay cheque or our retirement income. But when you combine decluttering with minimalism, this will help you build up your savings so you have something there in case of an unexpected emergency.</p> <p><strong>6. More energy for your greatest passions: </strong>With less debt, more financial freedom and a clean home, you can now focus your energy on the things you enjoy instead of worrying about what else you need to buy or what else you need to throw out. Ultimately, decluttering will make you happier!</p> <p><em>Photo: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Home & Garden

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8 feel good ways to donate your clutter

<p>Determined to get your home looking perfect? Giving your excess stuff away is a great way to declutter your home and live more simply. These easy ideas can transform your life (and your home). Here’s how to get started.</p> <p>You open the wardrobe and your clothes fall out. Squeezing that last lid into the pots and pans drawer becomes as hard as doing a <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html">Sudoku</a>, there’s so much in there already. You pile up books you’ll never read next to your bed, fill drawers with products you’ll probably never use and feel like you’re just, well, drowning in stuff.<br /><br />Sound familiar? You’re not alone. In fact, surveys have found that two out of three of us would be happier living with less, and more simply. This move away from materialism is not surprising, says James Wallman, author of <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fstuffocation-james-wallman%2Fprod9780241257357.html">Stuffocation</a>.</p> <p>“As people get older they are less interested in having more things,” he explains. “As there are more people on our finite planet and more of them are becoming middle class, there is ever more pressure on resources. And as more of us move to cities, we are buying fewer cars, and our homes are getting smaller, meaning less room to put things.”</p> <p>We want to <a href="https://quote.realinsurance.com.au/home/referral/wyza">feel safe and comfortable in our homes</a>. And, he adds, we tend to view excess stuff in a negative way. “We think [stuff] means more hassle, more to manage and more to think about.” He’s right!</p> <p><strong>How to start the declutter process<br /></strong>If you’re keen to live a more minimalist life, it’s time to do two things:</p> <ol> <li>a) Stop bringing things into your home (especially if you have a problem with clutter) and <br />b) Start donating your stuff to get it out of your hair and out of your home.<em><br />Ask yourself: 'Do I really need these things?'</em></li> </ol> <p>A great strategy for doing this is what organisational guru <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Flighten-up-peter-walsh%2Fprod9781439155158.html">Peter Walsh</a> calls the ‘trashbag tango’.</p> <p>“Wander around your house for 10 minutes a day and fill one garbage bag with garbage and the other with stuff you don’t need. If there are two of you, [and you] do that for a week, that’s 14 bags of trash and 14 bags of stuff to donate. If you do that for a month that’s 60 bags of trash and 60 bags of stuff you can donate. That’s 120 garbage bags out of your house for 10 minutes a day, in a month. But you have to stop stuff coming in at the same time. If you do that for a month, you will see a huge change.”</p> <p><strong>Where to donate your stuff<br /></strong>If your local charity bins always seem to be full, there are many other options are open to you. Here’s our go-to guide for the best places to declutter and donate.</p> <p><strong>1. Find the perfect (donation) match: <a href="http://www.givit.org.au/">Givit</a></strong></p> <p>If you’ve got specific things to get rid of, you can easily search this great website for items needed by charities around Australia. The site’s aim is to match ‘generosity with genuine need’ and to connect an online network of givers. You can clearly see which items are required by members of your local community and if you can help, great! You can also pledge items into the virtual warehouse and if a local charity wants the item, you will be connected to agree on a delivery option.</p> <p><strong>2. Furniture clear out: <a href="http://www.vinnies.org.au/">St Vincent De Paul</a></strong></p> <p>It’s easy to donate quality clothes, books, music, bric-a-brac by simply dropping in to your local Vinnies store, but if you have furniture to donate and no way to get it there, there are pick-up options in most Australian states. To find out the relevant numbers to arrange pick-up vist <a href="http://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Donate/Donate_Goods/">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>3. Declutter and donate: <a href="http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/">The Smith Family</a></strong></p> <p>If you live in NSW or the ACT, this charity accepts clean clothing, accessories, bedding with no stains or rips. Donations of furniture and bulky goods (non electrical items) can be accepted in certain regions of NSW only. There are clothing bins throughout NSW and the ACT and the charity also collects from homes and businesses in Sydney, the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Illawarra, the Blue Mountains and Canberra. Call 1300 737 166 to book a collection. Or to find a bin in your area visit <u><a href="http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/">The Smith Family</a>.</u></p> <p><strong>4. Donate unwanted bras: <a href="http://www.upliftbras.org/">The Uplift Project</a></strong></p> <p>Changed bra sizes and still have some old bras in good nick? Donate them to women in the Asia Pacific region who often can’t afford or obtain bras for themselves. This project helps to collect bras locally and distribute bras where needed. You can drop your bras off at specified addresses near you, or simply pop them in the post. To find out more  <a href="http://www.upliftbras.org/">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>5. Help someone get a job: <a href="http://www.wearforsuccess.org.au/">Wear for Success</a></strong></p> <p>This not for profit organisation gives disadvantaged people a suitable outfit for interviews and helps with career support training. It also runs programs helping a range of people needing support to find employment (including migrants, refugees, indigenous Australians, those with mental health issues and young people). If you live in Melbourne and can donate some professional workwear in good condition, visit the <a href="http://www.wearforsuccess.org.au/">site</a>for more info.<a href="http://www.wearforsuccess.org.au/"> </a><br /><br /><strong>6. Good workwear wanted: <a href="http://www.fittedforwork.org/">Fitted For Work</a></strong><br />This fantastic organisation offers mentoring, work experience opportunities, interview practice and resume writing to disadvantaged women seeking work – as well as a personal outfitting service in Sydney and Melbourne. They’re always looking for good workwear (including shoes, jewellery and handbags) that is clean, appropriate for interviews and in good condition.<em><br />Two out of three of us say we would be happier with less stuff</em></p> <p><strong>7. Donate old mobile phones: <a href="http://youcan.org.au/">Canteen</a></strong></p> <p>Got an old mobile phone stashed away in a drawer that still works? Around 70 percent of Australians do, according to the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. Instead, put it to good use by donating it to Canteen, the youth cancer foundation. You can download a pre-paid label from the <a href="http://youcan.org.au/">website</a>and post your phone in to be recycled and resold – the money raised goes to establishing specialised cancer facilities around Australia.<a href="http://youcan.org.au%20/"></a><br /><br /><strong>8. More options: <a href="http://www.givenow.com.au/">Give Now</a> </strong><br />Still not sure where to donate your clothes and other goods? This <a href="http://www.givenow.com.au/">site</a> features a list of places you can donate in your area and charities which accept everything from food parcels to books to blankets. Bikes, cars, corks, electricals and even land can also be given to select charities so remember, if you’ve got no use for it and it’s cluttering up your life, there’s a way to give it someone who needs it more.</p> <p><em>Written by Rachel Smith. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/wyza-life/8-feel-good-ways-to-donate-your-clutter.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Caring

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Here's what clutter does to your brain and body

<p>Many of us have started the year determined to be more organised: no more drawers full of plastic containers with missing lids, or lone socks.</p> <p>The decluttering craze is led by Japanese tidying aficionado Marie Kondo, author of a New York Times bestseller and Netflix show “Tidying Up”.</p> <p>Charity groups such as St Vincent de Paul are reporting a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/marie-kondo-creates-boom-for-op-shoppers-but-bad-news-for-oceans-20190119-p50scu.html">38% increase in donations</a>, year on year, as we get rid of the clothes, books and household items that don’t “spark joy” or have a place in our future.</p> <p>And there is good reason to get on board, whether it’s via the KonMari method, or just having a good clear-out. Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus.</p> <p>It can also make us less productive, <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2711870">triggering coping and avoidance strategies</a> that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).</p> <p>My own <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132318307157">research</a> shows our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions and subsequent behaviours, including our relationships with others.</p> <p><strong>Why clutter is bad for your brain</strong></p> <p>Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough. But <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21228167">research</a> shows disorganisation and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains.</p> <p>Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/02/17/1523471113">visual distraction</a> of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory.</p> <p>In 2011, neuroscience researchers using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and other physiological measurements <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21228167">found</a> clearing clutter from the home and work environment resulted in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increased productivity.</p> <p><strong>And your physical and mental health</strong></p> <p>Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167209352864">Research</a> from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/Hormones-cortisol-and-corticosteroids">stress hormone cortisol</a> were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.</p> <p>A chronically cluttered home environment can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278995/">lead</a> to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival.</p> <p>This response can trigger physical and psychological changes that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278995/">affect</a> how we fight bugs and digest food, as well as leaving us at greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.</p> <p>Clutter might also have implications for our relationships with those around us. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819543/">2016 US study</a>, for instance, found background clutter resulted in participants being less able to correctly interpret the emotional expressions on the faces of characters in a movie.</p> <p>And surprisingly, it doesn’t go away when we finally get to bed. People who sleep in cluttered rooms are <a href="https://www.stlawu.edu/news/student-faculty-sleep-research-published-presented">more likely</a> to have sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and being disturbed during the night.</p> <p><strong>Could clutter really make us fat?</strong></p> <p>Multiple studies have found a link between clutter and poor eating choices.</p> <p>Disorganised and messy environments led participants in one <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2711870">study</a> to eat more snacks, eating twice as many cookies than participants in an organised kitchen environment.</p> <p>Other <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797613480186">research</a> has shown that being in a messy room will make you twice as likely to eat a chocolate bar than an apple.</p> <p>Finally, people with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25440599">extremely cluttered homes</a> are 77% more likely to be overweight.</p> <p>Tidy homes have been found to be a predictor of physical health. Participants whose houses were cleaner were more active and had better physical health, according to another <a href="http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/14627.html">study</a>.</p> <p><strong>Hoarding can cause physical pain</strong></p> <p>Buying more and more things we think we need, and then not getting rid of them, is an actual disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). According to <a href="https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health/dsm-v-hoarding-new-mental-disorder-diagnoses/">DSM-V</a>, those with hoarding disorder compulsively acquire possessions on an ongoing basis and experience anxiety and mental anguish when they are thrown away.</p> <p>A Yale <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3506167/">study</a> using fMRI showed that for people who have hoarding tendencies, discarding items can cause actual pain in regions of the brain associated with physical pain. Areas of the brain were activated that are also responsible for the pain you feel when slamming a finger in a door or burning your hand on the stove.</p> <p>People who suspect they have hoarding disorder can take heart: cognitive behavioural therapy has been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25639467">shown</a> to be an effective treatment.</p> <p><strong>Tidy house, happy life?</strong></p> <p>Participants in Marie Kondo’s Netflix show Tidying Up report that her decluttering method changes their lives for the better. Indeed, her first book was called “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494416300159">Research</a> does indeed show cluttered home environments negatively influence the perception of our homes, and ultimately our satisfaction of life. The study authors note the strong effect is because we define “home” not just as a place to live, but as:</p> <blockquote> <p>the broader constellation of experiences, meanings, and situations that shape and are actively shaped by a person in the creation of his or her lifeworld.</p> </blockquote> <p>But it seems clutter isn’t always bad. One <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797613480186">study</a> showed messy desks can make us more creative. The findings suggested neat, ordered environments make us more likely to conform to expectations and play it safe, while messy ones move us to break with the norm and look at things in a new way.</p> <p><em>Written by <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/libby-sander-143232">Libby Sander</a>, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Bond Business School, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a></span>. Republished with permission of <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/time-for-a-kondo-clean-out-heres-what-clutter-does-to-your-brain-and-body-109947">The Conversation</a></span>.</em><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/libby-sander-143232"></a></span></p>

Mind

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The $1.99 IKEA hack that solves household clutter

<p>Savvy shoppers have discovered a clever way to organise their homes without breaking the bank.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;">Better Homes and Gardens</em></strong></span></a><strong> </strong>have revealed the six ways shoppers are repurposing a $1.99 product from IKEA.</p> <p>The Variera plastic bag dispenser is designed to fit inside drawers and cabinets to keep things organised, but customers have shared the creative ways they use it around their homes.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820792/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9e169be8cc78465d89db4d344719dd02" /></p> <p>One popular way to use the budget-friendly product is to attach it inside a wardrobe door and then use it to store underwear and socks once they’ve been folded.</p> <p>For those who struggle to locate wrapping paper around the house, they also recommend storing the roles inside the dispenser.</p> <p>“You can also hang it inside the closet door for easy storage and access. Use another dispenser to store ribbons. You can poke the ends out of the holes,” they said.</p> <p>The affordable organiser can also be used to store winter accessories such as gloves, scarves and hats, together.</p> <p>A clever way to tidy your cleaning products is to hang the dispenser sideways and then hang spray bottles, sponges, brushes and gloves from the holes.</p> <p>The IKEA product can also fit a rolled yoga mat and kit for someone who wants to organise their exercise gear.</p> <p>“[You can also] grow a vertical wall of succulents or strawberries with the Variera. Fill it with compost and use it as a planter. Arrange the plants inside the holes,” they said.</p> <p>What is your best organisation tip? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Retirement Income

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Decluttering expert: “The worst things I’ve found in people’s homes”

<p>We all have our messy moments from time to time, but by and large, we know when it’s time for a good spring clean – as much as we may hate it. Now, imagine your little messy moments and multiply them by 100 – that’s what professional organiser Deanne Sharp has to deal with every day.</p> <p>As an expert on decluttering, she’s seen stuff that would make your skin crawl – mouldy food, toy slime and even a snake. Well, not quite. “It was a rubber snake that one boy had hidden in the laundry to scare his mum,” Sharp told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/interiors/professional-organiser-deanne-sharp-clears-peoples-lives-of-clutter/news-story/6ea4f33e94ca344c8ae77dcd54624bc5" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">news.com.au</span></strong></a>. “I screamed very loudly – it did look real.”</p> <p>But aside from the odd occupational “hazard", the 46-year-old Sydney mum says her job brings her great satisfaction.</p> <p>“For some clients, when they see the job done, I can see it’s like a weight has lifted off their shoulders. I often get hugs and even follow-up texts from clients saying they can’t stop opening the cupboards to admire my work."</p> <p>But if you thought women were worse at throwing stuff away, think again. “Men can be worse than women for not letting things go,” Sharp said.</p> <p>“If something has sentimental value then of course keep it, but get rid of it if it’s just going to sit there taking up space. Decluttering is all about throwing things away you don’t love or enjoy.”</p> <p>So, what can we mere mortals learn from the queen of clean? Here are some of her top tips.</p> <ol> <li><strong>With kids, make tidying fun and easy </strong>– “Turn it into a game, put a song on and make sure it’s easy for them to help by storing toys in easy to reach boxes so they can just put them in."</li> <li><strong>Start them young</strong> – “Kids can help clear up their toys from when they’re very little, as young as two and a half.”</li> <li><strong>Plan, plan, plan </strong>– Sharp swears by her family planner, which outlines all the week's activities, meals and events. She plans all meals on Sunday, orders the groceries online then picks them up the next day. “I find going to the supermarket a waste of time and I spend more too.”</li> </ol> <p><em>Image credit: Free Time 4 Me Time.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Addicted to clutter: The one thing we can't throw away

<p>Australians are turning into a nation of clutter addicts, new research reveals.</p> <p>The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.choosi.com.au/blog/lifestyle/clutter-report" target="_blank">Choosi Clutter Report</a></strong></span> estimates Australians have almost $60 billion worth of unused items in our homes and 54 per cent of us reckon we could fill half a room with stuff we haven’t used for years and most likely don’t need.</p> <p>“You don’t wake up one day and find it’s happened overnight, clutter creeps up on you,” Kirsty Farrugia, head of the Feels Like Home professional organisation firm, told news.com.au.</p> <p>“Clutter is anything in your home that doesn’t serve you. A T-shirt not worn in 10 years isn’t serving you, neither is that junk mail that you never intend to read and is just sitting in a pile.”</p> <p>The report, which surveyed 1000 people in the four biggest states, found the Australians who spring cleaned could fill 6.8 large rubbish bags each year with their unwanted junk.</p> <p>However, Ms Farrugia said cluttering was different to hoarding. Hoarding is a manifestation of a psychological condition, whereas a cluttered house was most likely down to procrastination and holding on to sentimental items, she said.</p> <p>Nevertheless, a quarter of people surveyed said their clutter gave them anxiety and 18 per cent said friends and families avoided coming over due to their overcrowded houses.</p> <p>For 37 per cent, junk around the home had led to arguments about the lack of space.</p> <p>One in nine people even said clutter-related issues were a factor in a divorce or relationship breakdown.</p> <p>And what’s the one thing we can’t seem to throw away? Our old mobile phones. On average Australians have at least four old mobiles in the house that are unused.</p> <p>We also have an average of 139 books, 24 pair of shoes, two TVs and two computers.</p> <p>Katrina Foster, a spokeswoman for insurance comparison site Choosi, that commissioned the report, said Australia’s obsession with junk meant if we put all our unused items in boxes, they would stretch around the country’s coastline six times over.</p> <p>“What is interesting to note is the financial value this clutter has and the enormous physical space it occupies in the home,” she said.</p> <p>“With new products constantly being marketed at us it can be hard to say no and easy to justify a need for new products, yet this can lead to mass build-up of clutter.”</p> <p>The analysis put the total financial face value of our unloved items at $59.4 billion, or $6623 per household.</p>

Retirement Life

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6 hacks to saving your home from clutter

<p>Good organisation will allow you to utilise the space in your home and make it easier for you to maintain a clean environment. Follow these tips to save your home from clutter.</p> <p><strong>1. Throw out old items</strong></p> <p>Clutter slows you down when cleaning your home and let’s face it, over the years it is easy for unnecessary items to accumulate in your house. Start with the items you have double ups of and then move to the items that you never touch.</p> <p><strong>2. Give things a home</strong></p> <p>The easiest way to give items a home is to store them in the location where they are frequently used. Store similar items in the same location and move the items you never use into a storeroom or garage.</p> <p><strong>3. Sort through paperwork daily</strong></p> <p>Unfortunately, paperwork can dramatically build up if it is left alone. To manage your family’s paperwork, assign each person a folder or drawer. This will also help you if you ever need to quickly find something.</p> <p><strong>4. Make sure things return to their place</strong></p> <p>Try to be meticulous with keeping items in the room they are meant to be in so nothing gets lost or messed up.</p> <p><strong>5. Be inventive</strong></p> <p>Be creative with how you want to store the items in your home that don’t have a specific home. You can find DIY solutions that will not only save you money but make for a fun craft activity.</p> <p><strong>6. Find storage solutions</strong></p> <p>There are plenty of storage solutions available at shops but don’t let this tempt you from not throwing out the items you hoard.</p> <p>How do you save your home from clutter? Let us know in the comments below.  </p>

Home & Garden

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What your household clutter says about you

<p>In a world where we are seemingly surrounded by stuff, it’s no wonder we’re living more cluttered lives. With scores of books and articles praising the psychological benefits of decluttering, it’s worth wondering why we have clutter in the first place? Is it simply a case of buying too many material items, or can it provide interesting clues about the state of our minds?</p> <p>Clinical psychologist Noah Mankowski, an expert in hoarding, says that while there isn’t any solid scientific evidence to prove that the actual site of clutter is significant, there could be some truth to it.</p> <p>“The way you perceive your clutter is the way you perceive yourself and your relationships,” he says, adding that where we put our clutter usually corresponds to different emotional events.</p> <p>If you have a lot of stuff in the attic or the basement, according to Mankowski, this might indicate an inability to let go of the past. A cluttered bathroom might reveal body image issues, as this is where we’re most likely to be standing in front of a mirror naked. Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.</p> <p>“When you clutter things, you can’t see the surface, you can’t see the carpet, you can’t see the floorboards, you can’t see the surroundings. Which actually allows you to not deal with it – it’s a way of coping.”</p> <p>Of course, not everyone agrees with this way of looking at things.</p> <p>“That theory is based on a Freudian idea that everything happens for a reason – that there are no mistakes,” says clinical psychologist Ben Buchanan from Foundation Psychology Victoria. “Freudians would say that everything’s got meaning, everything’s got a symbol …They would say that there’s a deep unconscious motivation, usually rooted in childhood, for not being able to let go of something. And there’s some truth in that, but I think people take it a bit far.”</p> <p>Buchanan does concede, however, that you might find a heavily over-stocked kitchen pantry in the home of someone who grew up in poverty, or too many clothes in the wardrobe of someone that was always given hand-me-downs as a child.</p> <p>Meanwhile, psychoanalytic psychotherapist Bridget Fitzgerald points out that a too-clean house can be just as telling.</p> <p>“An absence of clutter could reflect a cluttered, chaotic psyche – what Freud would have called a defence against internal conflicts or clutter,” she says.  “A clutter-free environment might suggest someone who is not able to tolerate the untidiness or uncertainty inherent in life and relationships.”</p> <p>Whichever school of thought you choose to follow, it can’t hurt to look around your home and mindfully ask, “what might my clutter be telling me?”</p> <p><em>Written by Jane Hone. First appeared on <a href="/%20https:/www.domain.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

Mind

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10 things in your kitchen you should clear out right now

<p>If you’ve ever opened your Tupperware <span>drawer</span> and been absolutely convinced that the plastic containers are somehow breeding during the night, this guide is for you! Containing kitchen clutter can mean the difference between a free flowing, productive work space and one that’s drowning in out of date packages and multiple plastic lids that don’t appear to have a home. Get sorted now by clearing out the following:</p> <p><strong>1. Tupperware</strong></p> <p>There aren’t many households out there that don’t have at least a couple of errant pieces of Tupperware that have somehow got separated, never to be united again. Start by taking out all your plastic containers, matching them up and throwing away the extras. You can then group together by size/shape and stack neatly in your cupboard for the next use.</p> <p><strong>2. Cups, glasses and crockery</strong></p> <p>If it’s got a chip, crack or stain, it’s time to bin em’. These things all indicate that the item is no longer safe for use and is just taking up valuable kitchen cupboard space.</p> <p><strong>3. Larger sized appliances</strong></p> <p>If you’ve got a blender, food processor, slow cooker and stand mixer all lined up on the bench, chances are good you haven’t got room for much else! These types of appliances take up a lot of room that could be better used for food prep or storing items you use daily. Have a good hard think about how often you use each and only keep the ones on the bench that you use on a daily or at least weekly basis. The rest can be stored in your cupboards for when you need them.</p> <p><strong>4. Pots, pans and bakeware</strong></p> <p>When was the last time you properly sorted your saucepans? If you can’t actually remember, then it’s high time you did just that. Toss any old items that have scratches or baked on stains as they aren’t healthy to cook with. Organise by size when you pop them back in the cupboard and keep the ones you use regularly somewhere that’s easily accessible.</p> <p><strong>5. Cutlery</strong></p> <p>If your cutlery <span>drawer</span> is heaving under the weight of kilograms of knives, forks and spoons, it may be time for a cull. Empty out your silverware and give it a good inspection. Toss mismatched and broken items and anything you haven’t used in the last 6 months. Give the <span>drawer</span> a good clean before returning everything in perfect order to the <span>drawer</span>.</p> <p><strong>6. The “stuff”<span>drawer</span></strong></p> <p>We all have a <span>drawer</span> that exists solely to house all the ‘stuff’ that doesn’t really have a proper home. If you’re pressed for space, that <span>drawer</span> is valuable real estate that could be put to much better use. Take everything out and assess its usefulness before deciding whether to keep or toss. Once you’ve curated the pile, try popping a cutlery organizer or other plastic box inside the <span>drawer</span> to neatly store the essential odds and ends that you’ve kept.</p> <p><strong>7. Chopping boards</strong></p> <p>Chopping boards can be an absolute minefield for food health and safety. If your board has seen better days (think deep grooves or cuts, delamination or cracks and crevices) toss it. For the boards you decide to keep, it doesn’t hurt to give them a good disinfect and dry in the sunlight to ensure any lurking bacteria is well and truly demolished.</p> <p><strong>8. Oils</strong></p> <p>Cooking oils like olive and vegetable can last for a really long time. They’re often items that lurk at the back of the pantry and if not used all that often, can turn rancid or go off without us realizing. Check all your bottles for an expiry date and if they haven’t been used in a while, have a quick sniff and/or taste before deciding whether to keep or toss.</p> <p><strong>9. Spices</strong></p> <p>Your spice rack or cupboard is another place where expired or rancid products can lurk. We don’t tend to use huge amounts of spices when we cook meaning that bottles often hang around for months. Spices that have expired will often lack the flavour and taste of their fresh counterparts so it’s wise to check the use by date and have a quick sniff to ensure they’re still good.</p> <p><strong>10. Pantry staples</strong></p> <p>If you’re the kind of person who always stocks up on canned goods when shopping, then you may have quite a stash at the back of your pantry. Unless you’re using a lot of cans per week, some of them may have gone off or be taking up valuable space. Check the expiry dates on all of them, tossing any that have expired and assess the ones that are still in date for their usefulness. If that can of chickpeas has been sitting in the cupboard for six months, then chances are good you’re probably not going to end up using it. Box it up along with other canned goods that you doubt you’ll end up using and donate to a local charity who will be glad for the ingredients.</p> <p>Where do you find clutter builds up in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/5-foods-you-should-not-store-in-the-fridge/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 foods you shouldn’t store in the fridge</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/handy-uses-for-the-microwave/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 handy uses for the microwave everyone overlooks</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/how-to-get-rid-of-pantry-moths/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to get rid of pantry moths</span></strong></em></a></p>

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