House sorting

[watervole]

One of the job options I've been considering off and on is decluttering.

A lot of people have a house full of stuff and the job of sorting it all out has become so large that they're too demoralised to be able even to make a start.

I quite enjoy helping people to sort stuff out and I've been getting some interesting ideas on how to approach it all.

If you need help yourself, or know someone else who might be interested, get in touch!  (I'd need an hourly rate to be agreed, plus travel expenses)

Comments

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

When I have my money situation a little better in hand, and once we come up with a set of rules we're both happy with (don't want to end up with the Redemption Tankard situation again :-) ) then sure, that would be really good.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I'd enjoy it. And I'd love to try out some ideas I've got for reinforcing positive achievements.

I was also struck by a thought we came up with last time about scanning ephemera from events you've enjoyed in the past and using them as screensavers or something similar. That would allow you to have random happy memories on screen, without the need to keep the original ticket/programme/postcard/whatever.

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

Indeed ... that's why I was taking pictures of the badges at Novacon rather than shovelling handfuls into my bag ... it's enough that I have the image available for either my memory or for future reference, I don't need to clutter the house with the stuff.

I have a printer/scanner connected up to the PC, so it's now just a matter of finding time and starting the "big scan". I'll be able to get rid of a bunch of old con badges, ribbons, theatre tickets, and other ephemera (between the scanner and the digital camera I can get rid of a pile of paperwork, given time!)

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Don't wait for the 'big scan'. Do lots of little scans and know that you've done well every time you complete an hour's session. Don't make sessions long enough to be totally draining. (Or even set yourself a target of doing 5 items every day when you switch the PC on)

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

Why not post those scans to a web page? Then dozens of your friends can chuck them too!

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

That was indeed the plan, though it is now a choice between doing it myself, or adding to the ones at
http://www.efanzines.com/ECBadges/index.htm

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

LOL - can you do my DH's wardrobe? He would fight you all the way!
and I look forward to purple_peril's response to this post...

[watervole.livejournal.com]

We could give it a try if he's game. Part of the trick is to sort clothes into categories. This reveals areas of heavy duplication. (eg. six pairs of denims)

Also, one needs to be ruthless in clearing out stuff that no longer fits.

It's amazing what can be done simply by taking everything out and then just deciding what you want to go back again. It changes the decision from "Do I want to get rid of this?" to "Do I want to keep it?"

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

he has at least 35 business shirts. So he only has to do laundry once every 6 weeks...

[lexin.livejournal.com]

You interest me strangely. I'm in dire need of a declutter (not as dire as the_magician, but you know) and you're one of the few people I'd trust to do it.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Why not? I'd love an excuse to visit you anyway.

For you, £10 an hour. Interested?

[lexin.livejournal.com]

Very. I'll have to be January/February (I'm booked up right now), but that'll give me time to work out a set of guidelines for you.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Excellent. If I know what areas you want me to work in, then I'll know what to bring with me and be able to plan ahead.

[on-idle-moor.livejournal.com]

NOOOOO! SCARY LADY NOT TOUCH MY PRECIOUSSISSISSISS!!

[purple-peril.livejournal.com]

ditto.
(Mrs Milvus, that is my official statement on this issue) ;)