What helps me to organize is to consider: 1. where do I use the item? E.g. bin bags near the bin and scotch tape not in the office but in the kitchen and 2. how often do I use it? Decorative bowls for serving do not need to be as easily accessible as plates and cups, which I use every day. General tips: - Try to have as little as possible on kitchen surfaces to have space for cooking, this also makes cleaning easier. - Put things directly in their "home" after using (OHIO rule). - Leave space, e.g. the box for medicines should be big enough so that you can add something if you need to. Would LOVE to help you organizing your space, but I live in Germany 😂 You got this👍☺️
@@geschichtenausdemnagarium5804 I hadn't come across the OHIO rule! It took a bit of Googling to get past the American law references but it's a great maxim! Like Fran, we had half a dozen paracetamol boxes in the medicine cabinet, each with a only couple of tablets used because you're out, you have a headache, you buy a box, then put them down when you get home, right?! (at least my partner did...) I use about one paracetamol a year, so I went through all the blister packs, trimming out the empty bubbles and consolidated them into one box and I STILL have enough for the next couple of decades! I think your Location consideration is a really good point too.
Oh, and once everything has its place it's so much easier, plus you don't end up buying multiples, because you see what you have and can find what you want...
I love your videos & being part of your journey. You are doing a great job🎉 I've done decluttering throughout our home. One zone at a time trying to identify whether to keep, repurpose, donate or trash. Til next video 👍
Right. THIS is now my favourite of your Posts! Utterly relatable, 'normal' levels of just living a life, and a wish to simplify your surroundings/belongings which will bring some mental clarity too. I'm doing well, 10 months into widowhood, and it's getting increasingly easy to identify what possession has a practical function, and which an emotional function (beautifully put, btw Fran...). Like you, I have kept reminding myself that 'this is now, not then' (to the extent of having a new tattoo "dwelling in the here and dwelling in the now" on my inner arm!) Almost there with using up freezer contents - like you, will defrost at month-end. 'His' kitchen cupboard was full of relishes, condiments, sauces, and random tins, bought, stashed, and then ignored; I'm working my way through them in his honour - we both had flexible views of BBE dates, and firm No Waste rules! The potentially riskiest was a can of corned beef (not a thing I would ever buy!), produced 25/7/2018, BBE 25/7/2023, but I opened it last week, it smelt okay, looked okay (no rust on can), and I have one more serving to go - jolly tasty actually. 4-5 days in the fridge is about my limit too, but read somewhere that our sense of smell will inform us better than packaging info in that respect. What does not kill us makes us stronger, right?! SO glad I found you, Fran! x
Hello Fran x As We move through life We collect things , it’s when you feel hemmed in by them , it’s time to look around at what serves you now x I held on to crystal glasses , still wrapped up fro a house move in 1999, that belonged to my late parents.Just wasn’t ready to let them go . I asked my brother if he wanted them & he laughed & said no thanks . So I donated them & now my partner has his software hutch for a work space .He also brings clutter but that is another story x Take care lovely 🥰 ps loved the green hoodie , the colour suited you x
Hi Vicky! Hope you’re well! Thank you so much for your kind words-I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! And thank you for sharing your own journey too-it’s true that possessions carry different meanings. I’m trying to be more mindful of what I own and why I keep them. I’m aiming for less clutter, but I know I’m not looking for minimalism-I love a beautiful object too much for that! But I’m also not a maximalist, so honestly… who knows? 🤷♀️ I love your tattoo, “dwelling in the here and dwelling in the now”-it’s such a good reminder of a positive mindset. It really makes you reflect on what matters and where our energy is best placed. Take care, here’s to 2025 being a positive year-and using our noses to figure out where we can dwell! 💛 Fran xx
Thank you so much! Decluttering has definitely been a journey-and I know it’s not over yet! I totally get that "hemmed in" feeling-Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a stockroom! Sentimental items are definitely the hardest to part with, but I’ve been trying to ask myself why I’m keeping certain things and what purpose they serve now. Haha, glad you like the hoodie! I donated so much of my wardrobe during the declutter, it’s basically the only thing I wear these days 😅 Thanks for being here-take care and all the best! 💛 Fran x
Love a good declutter to start the new year off right! About dust building up: you’re not a dusty person!!!!!! Sadly, it’s just a fact of life. Dust builds up, especially if you live in a city and leave the windows open due to air pollution. I think it’s normal to vacuum once a week, but you also need to regularly wipe down surfaces. Having small trinkets and decor pieces out collects dust, so those need to be wiped down at least 2x a month. A ton of dust can also be a sign that it’s time to change your filters if you have an AC unit. But easier said than done of course!!!
Thanks for video. When in a quandary about whether to hang on to things, Dawn from the Minimal Mom (I know haha) says It it's not a definite Yes, it's a No. You're doing great. Most things need a purpose, but some just deserve a place if they make you happy
I definitely eat my fair share of expired pantry items and I’ve never had an issue. For refrigerated items, I’ll eat expired eggs if they pass the float test, cheese expiration doesn’t matter at all to me if it’s never been opened and no sign of mold, condiments a couple months. Meat, liquid dairy, and produce though I do not mess around with. But I freeze most meat right away with my food sealer so that it can last a year in my freezer.
Evening from the U.K and OMG your post was amazing and funny 😂😂😂. I'm also having a big decluttering time for 2025, so I know how you feel. Have been watching some post from Japan and China, always been interested in Japanese and Chinese History, can't be with a bit's and bobs bowl 😂😂😂, keep on Smiling you will get there ❤
I have a robot vac. It can’t get in the corners, so I do those once a month. I’m doing a low buy 2025 and the robot vac would make my list of okays if I didn’t have one yet! Life changing.
I love my kitchen - but often it's challenging to keep on top of the space! It'll be great to get any hints or tips!
What helps me to organize is to consider: 1. where do I use the item? E.g. bin bags near the bin and scotch tape not in the office but in the kitchen and 2. how often do I use it? Decorative bowls for serving do not need to be as easily accessible as plates and cups, which I use every day. General tips: - Try to have as little as possible on kitchen surfaces to have space for cooking, this also makes cleaning easier. - Put things directly in their "home" after using (OHIO rule). - Leave space, e.g. the box for medicines should be big enough so that you can add something if you need to. Would LOVE to help you organizing your space, but I live in Germany 😂 You got this👍☺️
@@geschichtenausdemnagarium5804 I hadn't come across the OHIO rule! It took a bit of Googling to get past the American law references but it's a great maxim! Like Fran, we had half a dozen paracetamol boxes in the medicine cabinet, each with a only couple of tablets used because you're out, you have a headache, you buy a box, then put them down when you get home, right?! (at least my partner did...) I use about one paracetamol a year, so I went through all the blister packs, trimming out the empty bubbles and consolidated them into one box and I STILL have enough for the next couple of decades! I think your Location consideration is a really good point too.
Oh, and once everything has its place it's so much easier, plus you don't end up buying multiples, because you see what you have and can find what you want...
You are just a typical person. Don't be so harsh on yourself. You are working on clutter...like most of us!!❤
My best before limit really depends on the food, but I've definitely eaten some old things LOL
You absolutely need the tiny hand!
I love your videos & being part of your journey. You are doing a great job🎉 I've done decluttering throughout our home. One zone at a time trying to identify whether to keep, repurpose, donate or trash. Til next video 👍
Good job! I like that lip container 😊
Right. THIS is now my favourite of your Posts! Utterly relatable, 'normal' levels of just living a life, and a wish to simplify your surroundings/belongings which will bring some mental clarity too. I'm doing well, 10 months into widowhood, and it's getting increasingly easy to identify what possession has a practical function, and which an emotional function (beautifully put, btw Fran...). Like you, I have kept reminding myself that 'this is now, not then' (to the extent of having a new tattoo "dwelling in the here and dwelling in the now" on my inner arm!) Almost there with using up freezer contents - like you, will defrost at month-end. 'His' kitchen cupboard was full of relishes, condiments, sauces, and random tins, bought, stashed, and then ignored; I'm working my way through them in his honour - we both had flexible views of BBE dates, and firm No Waste rules! The potentially riskiest was a can of corned beef (not a thing I would ever buy!), produced 25/7/2018, BBE 25/7/2023, but I opened it last week, it smelt okay, looked okay (no rust on can), and I have one more serving to go - jolly tasty actually. 4-5 days in the fridge is about my limit too, but read somewhere that our sense of smell will inform us better than packaging info in that respect. What does not kill us makes us stronger, right?! SO glad I found you, Fran! x
Hello Fran x
As We move through life We collect things , it’s when you feel hemmed in by them , it’s time to look around at what serves you now x I held on to crystal glasses , still wrapped up fro a house move in 1999, that belonged to my late parents.Just wasn’t ready to let them go . I asked my brother if he wanted them & he laughed & said no thanks . So I donated them & now my partner has his software hutch for a work space .He also brings clutter but that is another story x Take care lovely 🥰 ps loved the green hoodie , the colour suited you x
Hi Vicky! Hope you’re well!
Thank you so much for your kind words-I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
And thank you for sharing your own journey too-it’s true that possessions carry different meanings.
I’m trying to be more mindful of what I own and why I keep them. I’m aiming for less clutter, but I know I’m not looking for minimalism-I love a beautiful object too much for that!
But I’m also not a maximalist, so honestly… who knows? 🤷♀️
I love your tattoo, “dwelling in the here and dwelling in the now”-it’s such a good reminder of a positive mindset. It really makes you reflect on what matters and where our energy is best placed.
Take care, here’s to 2025 being a positive year-and using our noses to figure out where we can dwell! 💛
Fran xx
Thank you so much! Decluttering has definitely been a journey-and I know it’s not over yet!
I totally get that "hemmed in" feeling-Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a stockroom!
Sentimental items are definitely the hardest to part with, but I’ve been trying to ask myself why I’m keeping certain things and what purpose they serve now.
Haha, glad you like the hoodie! I donated so much of my wardrobe during the declutter, it’s basically the only thing I wear these days 😅
Thanks for being here-take care and all the best! 💛 Fran x
2:28 the pig-pen comic insert from The Peanuts gang was awesome 😂❤
Love a good declutter to start the new year off right!
About dust building up: you’re not a dusty person!!!!!! Sadly, it’s just a fact of life. Dust builds up, especially if you live in a city and leave the windows open due to air pollution. I think it’s normal to vacuum once a week, but you also need to regularly wipe down surfaces. Having small trinkets and decor pieces out collects dust, so those need to be wiped down at least 2x a month. A ton of dust can also be a sign that it’s time to change your filters if you have an AC unit. But easier said than done of course!!!
Oh kahlua yum!
My Mum cooked before use by dates -
We ate anything sealed or canned or anything without weevils
We’re all still alive !!!
We're definitely made of stronger stuff!
Best before does not mean spoiled - maybe not for seafood though! 😊
Thanks for video. When in a quandary about whether to hang on to things, Dawn from the Minimal Mom (I know haha) says It it's not a definite Yes, it's a No. You're doing great. Most things need a purpose, but some just deserve a place if they make you happy
Ugh… the mini bins, they’re all over my place! 😂
I definitely eat my fair share of expired pantry items and I’ve never had an issue. For refrigerated items, I’ll eat expired eggs if they pass the float test, cheese expiration doesn’t matter at all to me if it’s never been opened and no sign of mold, condiments a couple months. Meat, liquid dairy, and produce though I do not mess around with. But I freeze most meat right away with my food sealer so that it can last a year in my freezer.
Evening from the U.K and OMG your post was amazing and funny 😂😂😂. I'm also having a big decluttering time for 2025, so I know how you feel.
Have been watching some post from Japan and China, always been interested in Japanese and Chinese History, can't be with a bit's and bobs bowl 😂😂😂, keep on Smiling you will get there ❤
I have a robot vac. It can’t get in the corners, so I do those once a month. I’m doing a low buy 2025 and the robot vac would make my list of okays if I didn’t have one yet! Life changing.
I've seen them! I've been thinking about this too! Thanks for the suggestion - I'll check it out. 🙌
❤