CONNECTOR.AE 50 CONNECTOR.AE 51 LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE Also, prepare a plan for tackling specific rooms and spaces before you start big. Preparation is the difference between chaos and calm. Rebecca Lavallee from Sort It Out recommends identifying your ‘main pain point’, or what’s bothering you the most, and starting there. When getting started, she recommends following the four C’s of organisation: - Categorise what you have - Consolidate like items together - Curate the best and let go of the rest - Contain items in functional and appealing ways This approach breaks down the process into manageable steps, reducing the chances of becoming overwhelmed. So, if you want to start with bedrooms, what things should you keep in mind? “Always start with the surfaces you see first, bedside tables, tops of chests of drawers and the floor. Clear these spaces before tackling wardrobes and drawers. In bedrooms, common clutter culprits are piles of clothes, both clean and dirty, random chargers and tech gadgets, and skincare products gathering dust on surfaces. I also find that under-bed spaces can become black holes of forgotten clutter. If you’re storing things under your bed, make sure they’re properly organised in labelled containers”, Shelina Jokhiya from DeCluttr Me suggests. Getting Started: Cleaning One Space At A Time If just thinking about cleaning makes you want to hide under the covers, experts suggest starting small and simple. Also, if you want to do a thorough cleaning, make sure you start with visible areas so that you stay motivated with the results throughout. Shelina Jokhiya from DeCluttr Me notes, “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start somewhere small and simple. I always suggest a handbag, a makeup drawer or even just one shelf in the fridge. Somewhere you can see a clear difference after a few minutes. That quick win will boost your motivation to keep going. Also, remember that you don’t have to do it all in one day. Just ticking off one small space at a time is a huge step forward”. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start somewhere small and simple. I always suggest a handbag, a makeup drawer or even just one shelf in the fridge.’’ decluttering isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a form of self-care. An organised space boosts productivity by saving you time and mental energy. “When you have less visual noise around you, your brain doesn’t have to work so hard. You feel calmer, less stressed, and more in control. It also saves time and mental energy. If you know exactly where your keys, documents or favourite pair of jeans are, you’re not wasting time searching or getting frustrated. Organising your space means you can find what you need in five seconds, and that frees you up to focus on what actually matters”, Shelina Jokhiya from DeCluttr Me notes. Staying Clutter-Free For Good Once a space has been cleaned and decluttered, how do you keep it that way, especially if you live in a house filled with children and adults who are not particularly keen on maintaining cleanliness? Shelina says, “The key is maintenance and having a simple system that everyone can follow. Make sure everything has a proper home. Labels can help, especially in shared spaces like kitchens and playrooms. Involve everyone in tidying up, even young children. Also, schedule mini-decluttering sessions every month, just 15 minutes to reset things before it gets out of hand again. Finally, keep a ‘one in, two out’ rule whenever you can. If something new comes in, something old should go out. It helps keep clutter at bay without feeling restrictive”. Finally, remember that decluttering isn’t a onetime project. It’s a lifestyle shift. Moving on to kitchens, they are typically the spaces that accumulate the most clutter over time. Shelina Jokhiya from DeCluttr Me says, “Focus on one zone at a time. I usually recommend starting with the pantry or dry food cupboards because expired items are easy to spot and toss. It gives you quick wins straight away. Next, tackle drawers, especially the dreaded ‘miscellaneous’ drawer, by grouping like with like. For example, put batteries together, pens together and so on. Use containers, labels and drawer dividers to make it easier to see what you have. If you can’t see it, you won’t use it. Don’t get clear containers if you don’t want to see the visual clutter inside them, especially for crisps and snacks. Don’t buy new organising products until you’ve decluttered, otherwise you’re just organising clutter”. The Mindset Shift While engaging in spring cleaning, it is important to realise that your mind could become your biggest enemy or your best friend. Without clarity, you could feel lost and confused while cleaning. Shelina Jokhiya from DeCluttr Me, encourages you to ask a simple but powerful question when sorting through items. “Ask yourself: do I use it regularly, or does it genuinely make me happy? If the answer is no, it’s time to let go. Don’t keep things out of guilt. Your space should be filled with things that make your life easier or more joyful, not things you feel obligated to keep”. Rebecca Lavallee from Sort It Out echoes the suggestion and also adds, “Designate a special box for memorabilia. For families with children who may one day leave the UAE, it’s especially meaningful to preserve tangible reminders of their time here. These memory boxes can help children reconnect with this chapter of their lives when they look back one day. But even with sentimental items, be mindful. Sometimes, holding on to toomuch of the past can quietly hold us back from stepping into the next season of life. Give yourself permission to let go. Especially in a fast-paced city like Dubai, your home should be a calm, energising space, not one that adds stress to your day”. Both experts also urge us to realise that
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