As a former teacher, it dawned on me that sometimes a word needs defining and an example to comprehend the meaning. Home organizing seems self-explanatory, hence if something is dis-organized, you can't find your keys, charger, favorite coffee mug, a shoe, and the space needs to be organized.
But DECLUTTER, what does that that mean? I asked some colleagues what would be synonymous with this word and here is what was generated:
simplify edit
minimize
lighten
pare down
lessen
sort
curate
reduce household inventory
downsize
streamline
remove excess
minimalize
Here are some good open-ended teacher question. This isn't a quiz, and there is no right or wrong answer.
1. Your dresser drawer is jam-packed and it's a pain in the tush to put anything away.
a) You feel _____(fill in the blank with an emotion or emoji) .
b) In order to make this drawer functional, you need to _____(fill in the blank, using one of the words above).
2. You're moving and your new home is smaller than the current one.
a) The household items need to be _____(fill in the blank using one of the words above) in order to fit into the smaller space.
3. Papers, mail, magazines, school projects and other paper items have taken over most flat surfaces. a) The papers need to be ______ (fill in the blank using one of the words above) to reclaim those flat surfaces.
Did you use DECLUTTER or another word from the list? Bottom line, there is to much of something that needs to be REDUCED for optimal home organizational management.
This grammar lesson is brought to you by me, Karen Furman, The Klutter Koach. Spelling lessons will be for another day and the spelling KLUTTER and KOACH will continued to be spelled with a K, not a C. It shall be disregarded as an error, as it was quite intentional. In any event, if you are decluttering, downsizing, curating, minimalizing, paring down, or other, live in the Bet Shemesh/Jerusalem area and need a wingman, an accountability person, hand-holder, or coach to get the ball rolling on your process or get you through, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
-Karen