Organizing Now for Future Stuff | Decluttering Your Command Center - The Clutter Fairy Weekly

[@nata3467]

I have been slowly editing my life. Goal is to retire with the least amount of stuff possible. Feels so liberating.

[@LisaSmith3663]

lmao I am sleeping with my clutter as you are talking about. I even covered it up with a blanket haha

[@TheClutterFairy]

lol! That’s great!

[@dinazilberstein9541]

Me too

[@ros8986]

Gayle - keeping fresh longer - store greens in a salad spinner in fridge - wash, spin, empty excess water in spinner, store in fridge - veg will stay fresh for at least a week (except cilantro which is more fragile so it will wilt in 3 to 4 days). salad, carrots, green beans (wash but keep whole, then cut jsut before cooking), leafy greens, etc will all stay lovely and ready to cook or just eat.

[@cherylgonzales4146]

Thank you for the advice and information you provide weekly. I

[@ros8986]

@@cherylgonzales4146 thank you for your thank you - mostly I just pass on what happens to come to me from others.

[@jeannebowes2898]

My work center is a nook in the corner of my kitchen. I can have a cup of tea or coffee, while I check messages and write out bills, make needed phone calls. I have a big wall calendar to keep track of events and appointments. My notebook lives there.

[@bcase5328]

Pandemic carry over: I find that I am holding more canned items, thanks to stocking shortages and two blackouts lasting days.

[@findingaway5512]

Are you rotating and using things so they don't expire? I think setting up an extra stock of some items is good to have but definitely buy things you typically eat or can rotate out maybe once a year swap the stuff to the regular pantry and replenish things. Put a limit on yourself. I was keeping bins during the beginning of the pandemic but it was not something I managed well. Now I have one bin I use for extra goods and keep regular stuff in my pantry. It helps me know what is there and I will visit it if I need something and I can see if I take from it often when I should buy a couple more cans of something to throw in there. Having it in my pantry made my pantry too cluttered. Having just that one bin has been helpful for me. If you have area you could do shelves or some but have a limit you can manage if you find things are getting forgotten or not rotated.

[@ljtlove4519]

I can't wait for the 'tetris' version!

[@JimmieHammel]

I have 3 command zones. My seating area in the dining room where my husband and I eat, I also work on budgeting here and sometimes do my nails. Number 2 is bed and nightstand where I read and play games. Number 3 is my desk in my office where I work. I feel like I keep number 1 and 2 relatively neat, but number 3 gets chaotic everyday. And I'm realizing that I have systems for my nail polish, where I store it, taking my things to the dining table, putting them back when I'm done. I also have a very strict setup for my bed because I USED to sleep with half my bed covered in junk, but I made a rule not to do that anymore, so I always clear it off before sleeping each night. I need a similar routine for my desk, but the extra space I have on that desk gives me the illusion of having space for clutter.

[@sarahthompson6405]

This is fantastic so helpful 😊

[@ros8986]

A minimalist space can absolutely be superb decor - beautiful (usually larger) decor items, elegant furniture, etc. And one can aim for minimalist upkeep, our downstairs living room is almost no upkeep because the 700 books stay on their shelves, the furniture stays in place, there is only the recycling to take out.

[@attheranch873]

Topic starts at 13:07

[@Linusrox123]

Thanks, I really feel that I could do without the Intro guy. Sorry, Intro guy!

[@ros8986]

Wardrobe declutter - Hannah Louise Poston just posted a youtube "How to Find Your Personal Style (3-step method)" which details an excellent process for making decisions about and curating your clothes.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thankyou

[@intignia]

I have a 7-season collection of Real Littles grocery items for my dolls. In order to manage it better, I divided it up/back into each season. Whereas, before I had organized it by food groups: frozen breakfast, frozen pies, ice creams, sweet snacks, savory snacks, etc.

[@attheranch873]

My command center was always my bed😀

[@elizabethanderson5159]

I have a pile of purses beside my chair. You have inspired me to deal with it!

[@joannecuomo1312]

Thank you!

[@JMetz-wo2oy]

I call my command post “my nest.”😂😂

[@ros8986]

Speaking as a minimalist - I have opinions. Please accept that our experience of interior space is totally different than non-minimalists. We choose to have a very undecorated space because that is what we like, we are not punishing ourselves, being "spartan", etc. My favorite decor item is air, open space, clear walls. I have an art degree, I have bought wonderful art pieces only to give them away because I really like just open continuous wall surface uncluttered by (even beautiful) art. We think traditional medieval japanese interiors are just perfect. Please ignore any rude rule-wielding "minimalists" and perhaps read Fumio Sasaki's Goodbye Things, the best book I know on minimalism (which has much good advice for everyone). He asserts he is a very ordinary person who just got rid of his stuff )and it took him 5 years). thank you for your time.

[@TheClutterFairy]

Thanks for the book referral! And I appreciate your story, thank you!

[@laurenh7893]

On the recommendation from people here, I read Sasaki's book. Wasn't impressed at all. Glad minimalism works for him but his "why should I have a sofa when the coffee shop down the street has one I can sit on?" is, to me, insane. I don't want to go to the coffee shop. I want a sofa in my home. I recently downsized 75% of my space and belongings so I'm happy to let things go. But to me, Sasaki is an extremist and not one to emulate.

[@ros8986]

@@laurenh7893 I find Sasaki important not in his personal choices for hisarticular life but in his list of questions and ideas about what we choose to own. And I don't think he asserts that his life is how others should live.

[@findingaway5512]

I like that all minimalists are different. Embracing their own selves and what they value. I think it is definitely possible for someone to. Be a minimalist with art all over their walls too because maybe all their everyday items are in a smaller state but they adore having color and art on their walls. 😊 For me I see minimalists as thoughts who let go of things that don't serve them but maybe they use or display things that make them happy or they appreciate. And is empty walls makes someone happy then go for it too. My walls personally are quite sparce in most of my house but I am not a minimalist. Though I do gain lots of insite from those who identify themselves in that realm. I really enjoy the simplicity and authenticity people find through that and as someone who has always been surrounded by stuff to manage the freedom that come come from owning things that serve a purpose in your life currently instead of all those just In case or items that simply aren't pulling their weight on a home weighing us down. I have some areas I consider my self minimal on and other areas I am not at all. I am not one for the "rules" that put people in boxes but I definitely think we all could benefit from a home that functions well for us personally. We all are so unique with our lives and needs and what we find aesthetically pleasing or comfortable to our bodies.

[@dianeyoung8068]

Fumio Sasaki is interesting, though I have not read the book. I did listen to an interview with him. He had always been challenged by dealing with his possessions, He found freedom in just purging his space and setting up a manageable and joyful life and routine. I think we can all find some freedom in purging what is no longer useful or meaningful to us.

[@laurenh7893]

Never thought of it before but I guess my command center is in the living room. I tidy up before bed so it's neat and clean the next day. Figured everyone did that but perhaps not.

[@kimberlywalker280]

Hopefully, my lengthy recall will help someone else

[@geneveiveharper]

Using your bed as a command center is poor sleep hygiene, meaning that it can contribute to sleep problems