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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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Billionaire Justin Hemmes makes tidy profit on Pittwater retreat

<p dir="ltr">Billionaire restaurateur Justin Hemmes has<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/hotelier-justin-hemmes-sells-his-morning-bay-pittwater-retreat-for-55m/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa:strap" target="_blank">sold</a><span> </span>a slice of his assets for a tidy price, after selling his Sydney waterfront retreat for $5.5 million this week.</p> <p dir="ltr">Set in Pittwater, Hemmes first bought the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in 2016 for just $2.75 million from its creator, acclaimed theatre production designer and architect Laurence Eastwood.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eastwood built the bushland waterfront house with a vast floating roof, post-and-beam design, and large stainless steel gutters that feed into a 50,000-litre tank, earning himself a number of awards.</p> <p dir="ltr">The house features wide decks at the front and rear of the living area, taking full advantage of the surrounding bush and water views.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a rel="noopener" href="https://monavale.ljhooker.com.au/house-in-newport-nsw-2106-au-2kcsf6k?search=%2fsearch%2fproperty-sold%2fpage-1#.YblzFL1ByUk" target="_blank">LJ Hooker Mona Vale</a><span> </span>agent Lachlan Elder handled the sale off-market, with Hemmes instructing him to “sell it to people who will give it more love”.</p> <p dir="ltr">With the sale of the Pittwater home, it seems that Hemmes is spending more of his time expanding his reach in Narooma, having spent an estimated $30 million in the area.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love Narooma with a deep passion,” he said recently.</p> <p dir="ltr">He expects Narooma will one day be a strong competitor against Noosa as a getaway paradise.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @justinhemmes (Instagram), LJ Hooker Mona Vale</em></p>

Real Estate

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Mum turns tidy profit selling kids’ homewares

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Eleanor Cullen went on maternity leave before the birth of her first child, she was bombarded by kids’ homewares solely decorated with TV characters and Disney princesses.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Melbourne designer decided to take matters into her own hands to make her own placemats for her newborn son, sinking $15,000 from the family’s savings into the venture.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After putting the design up on </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/wemightbetiny/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> at the end of 2015, she said it “went crazy”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The widely popular placemat has since led her to launch her own business called We Might Be Tiny, which now stocks more than 32 products featuring a bear, bunny and cat: a signature part of her brand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love animals and cute things and it’s all from my childhood, so it's things I have loved as a child,” she told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/small-business/melbournes-we-might-be-tiny-rakes-in-4m-from-stylish-childrens-homewares/news-story/e78097f144a85356ff81f9dc45dd8e03" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “The products are then centered around the bear, bunny and cat theme and become iconic to the brand.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRYi0xCg9sF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRYi0xCg9sF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MINIMALIST TABLEWARE FOR KIDS (@wemightbetiny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I then designed some snack boxes in a similar shape to the bear, bunny and cat, divided plates that suction to the table, suctioned bowls, cutlery sets and moved into kitchenware. So there’s icy pole moulds and freezer moulds and I was working with silicone as it’s a great material for kitchenware as well.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her bestselling products have been the suctioned plates, with 50,000 being sold for $29 to $32 since she launched the business.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 42-year-old said her designs appeal to parents wanting a “minimalist” look. Her placemats have also been so popular among parents that she has even made adult versions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Rather than having characters like P J Masks or Disney princesses printed on tableware it’s a neutral palette and that kind of thing appeals to mums,” she said.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRV4xoGJW6W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRV4xoGJW6W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MINIMALIST TABLEWARE FOR KIDS (@wemightbetiny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her side hustle has gone from making Ms Cullen $100,000 in her first year to nearly $4 million six years later.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a hobby. I wanted to earn a bit more money and pay off our mortgage and what happened was I ended up selling out and making the money I invested back in one month,” she revealed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I haven’t had to reinvest our own money, I am just reinvesting the profits.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The mother-of-two has credited the pandemic for the boost in sales, as people started eating at home with their kids more.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also launched a new product in February called Stampies, which was around the time parents began looking for new ways to entertain their kids. The cookie stamp set features cute animal designs, and Ms Cullen says it can be used for baking or playing with playdough.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since her business started, Ms Cullen has seen a huge growth in competitors offering similar silicone products.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, she says hers stand out since they are made from scratch, rather than being “stock standard products that are templated from a factory” with a competitor’s label stuck on the front.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking to the future, Ms Cullen said she is looking to start creating products for kid’s play.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve got a bath book and some bath toys made from the material silicone, which means it’s dishwasher safe and lends itself to bath toys being thrown into the dishwasher so they are not going to get mouldy,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She added that sensory toys, such as teethers and textured toys, would also be rolled out by the end of the year.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: We Might Be Tiny (Facebook)</span></em></p>

Money & Banking

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Marie Kondo to ‘spark joy’ once again with new series

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After garnering the world’s attention with her decluttering techniques, Marie Kondo is showing the world how her methods can change lives in a new Netflix series.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will allow viewers to see inside Kondo’s home, meet her family, and see “how she sparks joy in her daily life” with her KonMari Method.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmQF-Xsx3D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmQF-Xsx3D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Across three episodes, the organising expert will help a small town declutter their lives, seeing how her method affects their “businesses, relationships, and communities”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kondo originally introduced her tidying method in her book, <em>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</em>, in 2010, and has since become a global sensation.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkVOBjrA6i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkVOBjrA6i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though few details are known about the upcoming show, including the name of the chosen town, the series is expected to premiere on August 31.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Catch a sneak peek of the show here.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Netflix</span></em></p>

TV

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Big W's genius $99 laundry hack inspired by Marie Kondo

<p>The Marie Kondo cleaning craze continues to hit Australia in full force, and retailers are taking notice.</p> <p>The ‘Marie Kondo cleaning method’ involves cleaning out your house and only keeping items that ‘spark joy’.</p> <p>If you feel nice when you hold an item of clothing or a book, it stays.</p> <p>If it doesn’t, it gets donated or thrown away.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjL0wrHdkO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjL0wrHdkO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)</a> on Jan 12, 2019 at 1:34pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jumping on the bandwagon, Big W has released a laundry range that has been inspired by Kondo herself. The All-in-One Laundry trolley has everything you need to keep a nice and tidy home.</p> <p>It has three different sections available for you to sort your dirty washing whilst also having a built-in ironing board.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtdApo4hqxR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtdApo4hqxR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Big W Life &amp; Style (@bigwlifeandstyle)</a> on Feb 4, 2019 at 12:32am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The trolley is set to be a bargain which will only set you back $99.</p> <p>Fans are excited about the new range, which also offers a bamboo airer for $49 and a laundry hamper.</p> <p>One happy shopper couldn’t contain their joy, saying “both look so nice!!” while another commenter said that “we need this for our laundry”.</p> <p>There are rumours that the range will be available in stores by the end of this week, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/bigwlifeandstyle/" target="_blank">Big W Life and Style.</a></p> <p>Have you used the Marie Kondo method to clean out your home? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Money & Banking

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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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Viewers' hilarious reactions to decluttering guru's new Netflix show Tidying Up

<p>Following the global success of her books, decluttering guru Marie Kondo has finally taken Netflix by storm with her new show <em>Tidying Up with Marie Kondo</em>.</p> <p>In the eight-episode series, Kondo helped her American clients rid everyday clutter and organise their belongings using the KonMari method, which focuses on the question: “Does it spark joy?”</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WvyeapVBLWY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>The show, which was aptly released on January 1, has attracted great attention, with audiences flocking to Twitter to share their two cents about the show. The following tweets are ones that spark joy for us.</p> <p>Many have been inspired to clean up.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">No joke guys, I made my step kids (5 and 9) watch an episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo yesterday. We then spent the whole day KonMarie-ing their bedroom and they loved it! Who knew it worked in kids too? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sparkjoy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sparkjoy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TidyingUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TidyingUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/xefg9mvwAt">pic.twitter.com/xefg9mvwAt</a></p> — Miss Angie (@MySoCalledChaos) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySoCalledChaos/status/1081983965806743552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">After watching one episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix: <a href="https://t.co/Gp1g8EAgXl">pic.twitter.com/Gp1g8EAgXl</a></p> — Faizal Rosly (@ijaicool) <a href="https://twitter.com/ijaicool/status/1081868204341833729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Me after watching one episode of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarieKondo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarieKondo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thankyou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thankyou</a> <a href="https://t.co/zBVooZ9dyZ">pic.twitter.com/zBVooZ9dyZ</a></p> — Kaci✨ (@kaci_rachelle) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaci_rachelle/status/1082348784397496320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Some take it to the next level.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I don’t care about the Marie Kondo book debate, I just wanna know why she doesn’t ask the women if their husbands truly spark joy or if they should be thanked and removed.</p> — Amy Gray (@_AmyGray_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_AmyGray_/status/1081838920977899521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">how to tidy up your friendships with the Marie Kondo method:<br /><br />1. hold your friend up<br />2. check if your friend sparks joy<br />3. if no, thank your friend and put them in the trash</p> — Tze Hern (@zhrent) <a href="https://twitter.com/zhrent/status/1082182693998055424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Some see the opportunities.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Me waiting for the thrift stores to fill up with all the good stuff now bc of this Marie Kondo Netflix special <a href="https://t.co/YtJvf7Gm2M">pic.twitter.com/YtJvf7Gm2M</a></p> — Kat (@rasberet) <a href="https://twitter.com/rasberet/status/1082140149796941824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I'm very pumped for all the dumb expensive stuff my neighbors are going to give away in our building after watching Marie Kondo on Netflix.</p> — Sam Sanders (@DreamSong77) <a href="https://twitter.com/DreamSong77/status/1080139322521780226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2019</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Some are sceptical of her ideas.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Do NOT listen to Marie Kondo or Konmari in relation to books. Fill your apartment &amp; world with them. I don’t give a shite if you throw out your knickers and Tupperware but the woman is very misguided about BOOKS. Every human needs a v extensive library not clean, boring shelves</p> — Anakana Schofield (@AnakanaSchofiel) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnakanaSchofiel/status/1080957281636835328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Marie Kondo: “Does this sweater spark joy?”<br /><br />Werner Herzog: “Joy is a strange notion. I am just not made for it. It has never been a goal of mine; I do not think in those terms.”</p> — hikikomori povich (@SarahSahim) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahSahim/status/1082007778821107715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Some take to conclude that attempts at self-improvement are futile.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">After a heated discussion with Marie Kondo i’ve decided to throw myself in the trash.</p> — Kashana (@kashanacauley) <a href="https://twitter.com/kashanacauley/status/1082284404779638784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">oops, i accidentally threw every thing away when i tried to marie kondo my home because nothing makes me feel joy</p> — jonny sun (@jonnysun) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonnysun/status/1082019330978533376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Have you watched Marie Kondo's new show<span> </span><em>Tidying Up</em><span> </span>on Netflix? What do you think about the show? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

TV

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The clever way to keep hairpins tidy when you travel

<p>Are there any items in the world as tricky to keep sorted as hairpins? These little devices play a crucial role in many hairstyles, but they’re so easily lost, frayed and broken just because there’s no really good way to keep them stored.</p> <p>That is, until now.</p> <p>Life Buzz has shared a selection of useful (and not-so-useful) travel tips that if nothing else get full points for creativity. When it comes to storing hairpins, they offer this solution:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45436/in-text-hairpins_498x495.jpg" alt="In -text -hairpins"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Image credit: Pinterest / Life Buzz</em></p> <p>Empty Tic-Tac containers are the perfect size and shape for your unused hairpins, protecting them from the elements while ensuring they won’t get tangled.</p> <p>Do you have any handy travel tips to share?</p>

Travel Tips

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Why it is important to have a tidy and organised car

<p>Not only does an environment feel better when it is clean, but it is also significantly safer. Cars are no different and it is important to keep your car in good condition for a range of reasons.</p> <p><strong>1. Reduces distractions</strong></p> <p>When your car is tidy and organised, there are less distractions for the driver. If there is a mess, there is a greater chance that either the driver or passengers will need to locate an item that has been misplaced. Whether it be tissues, sunglasses or a toy, a driver’s focus is significantly reduced when passengers are searching for something and need help finding it. It is also important to not let your car become an archive for junk and rubbish otherwise you might invite in insects – which can prove to be very distracting when you are driving.</p> <p><strong>2. Creates a pleasant environment</strong></p> <p>When a car is kept in a nice condition, car trips are much more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. Little details such as the smell of your car and not having any sticky liquids spilt on surfaces will show others that you place value on your car, encouraging them to do the same. Make a weekly habit of checking the inside and boot of your car to make sure it is in a clean state.</p> <p><strong>3. Helps with emergencies  </strong></p> <p>In the event of an emergency, it is important to have exactly what you need. An organised car is better equipped to deal with a crisis because you will have all the information and tools you need inside your car. Be sure to have a first aid kit in your car and emergency numbers written down in case you don’t have a phone on you or the battery dies. It is also important to have the number of your Roadside Assistance helpline written down so you can contact them when the situation arises. Other useful things to have in your car include small cash, important medical information, paper and pen, the car’s log book and a small torch.</p> <p><strong>4. Saves you money</strong></p> <p>If you keep your car tidy and organised, you will end up preserving its monetary value for longer. A clean car can also mean lower repair and maintenance costs. If you ever decide to sell your car, you will also be able to put it on sale for a higher price if it has been looked after.  </p> <p>How do you keep your car tidy and organised? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em><strong>Make sure you keep safe and sound while on the road with Over60 Roadside Assistance. And because your safety is important to us all of the time, we will be there to help all day everyday, should you need it. For just $79.95 per year, with Over60 Roadside Assistance you’ll enjoy peace of mind when you’re out on the wide-open road to ensure you can enjoy life with less hassle. <a href="https://oversixty.disconline.com.au/sar/quote.jsp?hSty=EXOS&amp;cgpCde=00272&amp;hCenCde=10737&amp;LinkId=12071?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_campaign=insurance&amp;utm_medium=in-article-link-roadside&amp;utm_content=roadside-assistance" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buy now</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p> </p>

Insurance

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5 expert tips to declutter your home

<p><em><strong>Victoria Dryden is part of the team at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://classicmoves.com.au/" target="_blank">Classic Moves</a></span>, a full relocation management service, assisting seniors in downsizing or relocating into retirement or aged care. They take the stress out of moving.</strong></em></p> <p>Decluttering is never a favourite task but one which is essential every now and then to maintain a healthy house and mind. The prospect of decluttering brings up many emotions and can be quite traumatic for some. Here are some of our helpful tips to assist with the process.</p> <p><strong>1. Commitment</strong></p> <p>Commitment to the task is sometimes the most difficult. Make some time and invest yourself to the job. Decluttering is often time-consuming and more often than not if you start and stop, it’s the starting again which may overwhelm you completely. A job half finished is more frustrating than the clutter itself. Try to set time aside for declutter sessions daily, weekly, monthly.</p> <p><strong>2. Try to be ruthless</strong></p> <p>Everything has a story. Try not to let the story overpower you. Start with the bathroom or laundry as often these rooms are the easiest to tackle first. Rid yourself of half-used oils, soaps and bathroom dishes, towels and other items collected over the years. Usually these items are of little emotional value and can help you warm up when considering the rest of the house. For jars, crockery long stem glasses, cooking utensils, think about it – how much of each do you need? Bread machines, rice cookers steamers are always a good idea at the time.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t get emotional</strong></p> <p>Often it is the possessions gifted to us by family and friends which end up being clutter. Many feel the need to hold on to items because they believe it may bring us closer to love ones or moments. The love and memory of your family and friends will still remain long after the possessions have gone. If you struggle to let go, take a photo and carry that with you rather than the physical object. This way you can refer back at any time.</p> <p><strong>4. Have a plan (and keep it simple)</strong></p> <p>Tackle it strategically. Set up four stations or baskets – put away, give away, sell or storage (which should be your last resort). Ensure every object or item has a destination.</p> <p><strong>5. Stick to your decisions</strong></p> <p>Once your decision has been made for an item, try to maintain your position and refrain from changing your mind.</p> <p><em>Find more information at <a href="http://classicmoves.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Classic Moves</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/09/cheap-and-trendy-recycling-tips/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">7 cheap and trendy recycling tips</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/09/common-laundry-machine-mistakes/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 common laundry machine mistakes</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/09/5-ways-to-bring-the-outdoors-in/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 ways to bring the outdoors in</span></em></strong></a></p>

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