Clearing the way for clutter-free holidays
Two years ago, Burlington resident Cameron Levack had to downsize.
The professor at Conestoga College lost his father in late 2019. He was divorced and his adult kids had already moved out, so the four-bedroom home he'd lived in for 20 years became too big.
When he sold the house and bought a condo instead, he had less than two months to decide which belongings he could bring into a space half the size.
It makes you think twice," Levack said. I have to be more selective."
He got in touch with Judy Rickey, owner of Clutter Relief Services. Rickey has been in the business for 11 years, serving Hamilton and surrounding areas. She helped Levack sort through his items and get rid of what he didn't need.
She says there are lots of good reasons to declutter, including personal safety - by eliminating tripping and fire hazards. In other cases, people don't have a choice, like when clearing an estate after a loved one dies.
With the holidays around the corner, The Spectator reached out to Rickey and other experts for tips to avoid collecting too much clutter.
Give it away
Not everything you purge needs to go in the dumpster - in fact, Rickey avoids throwing things out unless there's no other option.
It's not good for the environment," she said. Instead, she recommends asking family and friends if they'd like to take anything and donating the rest to charity.
Levack used to do photography and for years had obsolete equipment stowed away in his basement. He donated it to a school.
If something is worth a lot of money, Rickey helps clients auction off items or sell them through Facebook or Kijiji.
She also advises people holding onto things for their kids or other loved ones to ask if they still want the items. If they do, give them a timeline to pick them up.
She's even had clients who have old Christmas presents hidden in their closets - still wrapped!
Rickey says it's OK to regift them.
Don't hide them away," she says. Give them away."
Part with sentimental items
Levack was holding onto an old shirt that no longer fit because he wore it during a memorable time in his life. There was also old china left from his parents.
Rickey says when it comes to sentimental stuff, it helps to take a photograph, write a story or make a video about what the object means to you to share with loved ones without having to keep the actual object.
She says it's also OK to get rid of things that have been passed down. She suggests keeping single pieces from bigger sets, like a tea set, for example, and giving away the rest.
Create new habits
Decluttering is like working out - you can start any time. Rickey recommends purging in pieces over time instead of all at once to make the process less overwhelming.
Lynn Melloni from Urge to Purge Inc. in Welland says now is as good a time to start as any - starting with Christmas decorations. When taking down Christmas decor, she recommends setting aside a clear bag of items to donate.
January is the start of a new year, it's a time to renew," she says.
Maria Iqbal covers aging issues for The Spectator. miqbal@thespec.com