A Clean Desk

Decluttering is addictive, I can tell you. This shortly before the turn of the year, I just don't want to take all these little messes into 2014. There will be still enough to take care of, so I took the chance of the little mess of the little Miss.

This desk was very unnerving every time I walked into Clara's room. It's been like this for a while and it is still school holidays, but honestly who wants to sit and work at such a desk? The problem for Clara was: where to start? From Magic Cleaning I learned this strategy:

Take everything off the desk -

and on the floor.

A big heap of pens, drawings, books, cards, wool, pearls, school stuff, horse paraphernalia, sea shells and all kind of knick-knacks a seven-year-old-girl amasses.

Clara: "I didn't know it was so much!"

(typical amazement according to Magic Cleaning)

And then declutter. Take every item into your hand and evaluate it. I did it together with Clara, what she liked, needed and wanted to keep. Some things went onto her bookshelves, but a lot of paper and bits and pieces went into the trash. 

What was left on the desk?

Mostly things for drawing and writing.

Free space, fresh ideas.

Declutter Countdown

Honestly, I can't wait for the decluttering to start (4 more days!). I have checked respective cluttered areas and I am itching to stick my fingers into these little messes. Meanwhile I am warming up with these finger exercises:

 Getting rid of Christmas decoration

Some things go into the bin and other things go into the Christmas box in the basement (decluttering deadline: 1 December 2014).

Annual closure of my yoga business

Being a self-employed Kundalini yoga teacher, I write everything concerning my business into a book (course outlines, registration, inspirations).

The book of 2013 is full.

A fresh pink book for 2014.

Speaking about finances. 

My purse needed some decluttering from all these old receipts.

For the last days I also diligently decluttered my now soon-to-be-six-year-old-trusty-loyal-laptop. We had a good time together, but it makes strange noises now and it misses two keys. And I know a certain seven-year-old-girl who will be more than happy about a passed-down laptop. I deleted a whole lot of files and programs and what was keep-worthy went onto an external hard disc drive and CDs.

Welcome!

I look forward to working together in 2014.

Getting Ready

I am reading right now this bestseller by Japanese professional declutterer Marie Kondo (will also be released in English in April 2014, see here). You can always use a little magic with cleaning (remember Mary Poppins?), don't you? Will it be life-changing like the English title promises? Do I want that?

While reading, I changed my original plan of letting-go-of-one-thing-per-day. Marie Kondo doesn't advocate the "one-thing-a-day"-tactic and I want to keep my options open and try different decluttering approaches. I can get rid of one thing or more, whatever I feel like. This project is supposed to be fun.