Survey #257—Full Response from Joolz
| Pronouns | She/her |
|---|---|
| How have your ideas, attitudes, and behaviors around clutter changed over the course of your adult life? Do you have a higher or lower threshold for what counts as “clutter”? | When I had a large young family we had a lot of stuff like all my friends. Every cupboard was stuffed full. A couple of house moves with the expense, time and energy involved led me to think about simplifying lots of aspects. I am now mid 60 with parents early 90s. They have lots of stuff from living in the same home for 65 years. My dad has lost some sight and is unsteady on his feet and the task of dealing with all the stuff is mine. I need to be patient, guide my dad with questions to let him come to a decision and gently nudge him to let things go. It will test our relationship for sure. |
| Do you find it easier or harder to declutter and organize as time goes by? Are there categories of stuff that get easier to manage? Are there categories that get harder to manage? | It gets easier because the passage of time helps enormously to make decisions. Clothes that are not your style or size. Books that have no appeal to be read. I think about future me. I want to be present me but with an eye out for future me. Time keeps going by, seasons of life move by and it is easier on yourself to acknowledge that and be at peace with that. |
| Think about the person in your life who’s had the most impact on your decluttering and organizing, or the person whose own clutter creates the most impact on you. This may be a spouse, partner, roommate, child, parent, another member of your household, or someone outside your household or family. How have this person’s ideas, attitudes, and behaviors around clutter—or the way their stuff affects you—changed over the course of your relationship? | I started decluttering with my mum one afternoon a week. First the bathroom, bringing her a drawer or small collection she could sort as she sat at the table. I cleaned as I went. She was exhausted afterwards by all the decisions. We had a laugh at some of the things we found especially way past used by date items in the kitchen. When it came to tea sets and pieces painted by my mum my dad became very agitated about what my mum was letting go. They never use the "good tea sets" and we eliminated items that didn't have a full set. I backed off more decluttering though the house is stuffed full. I have been helping Dad garden and suggested that in the colder weather we could tidy up the garage. Surprisingly this was accepted. I feel icky because the parent child relationship is turned around. I know they need the help for their comfort and safety. So gently onwards I go. |
| If you could ask for one small change in someone else’s behavior that would improve the state of your home, what would it be? | Ah! I would ask the golden retriever to stop shedding his coat! |
| Here’s your chance to ask Gayle and Ed any question you’re curious about. It need not be related to this survey’s topic(s). If we think that your question—and our answer—might be useful or instructive to The Clutter Fairy Weekly audience, we’ll share them in an upcoming episode. | Long time you tube viewer, first time survey respondent. Love your work! |
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