On August 8, 2021, Tara Sarkar, OT/s, Entry-Level OTD student, presented to the group on decluttering. Tara presented on a 4-step organizational system known as 4S’s:

• Starting small: decluttering can be overwhelming as it is hard to know where to start; Tara suggests started with a place or category, such as a papers on the living room table
• Set a plan: reframe decluttering from a more positive perspective; for example, rather than focusing on what to throw out, focus on what you want to keep, what brings you joy; ask yourself if the item works or adds value to your life
• Supports: using support can help with dealing with feeling overwhelmed; find somebody who you can trade skills with
• Success: important step in decluttering is building on success by celebrating small steps

Group members discussed some of the strategies that they found successful in decluttering:

• storing papers electronically and labeling the photo, albums, or email subject line so you can search for it later
• using AI features in smart phone or Google photo album to search for a photo by date, location, or type of item (i.e. “dog”)
• taking pictures of objects with sentimental value that you might not need to keep
• one member uses dots of different color to mark objects he wants to keep, sell, or throw
• getting rid of the books that can be easily found in the library
• planning parties at home which forces you to keep you place clean
• categorizing papers by year, not category
• using post-its to mark places in the room for specific clothing
• color-coding
• using clear containers so that you can see what is inside
• clear containers by the same style that are stackable with lockable tops
• using objects that are hard to part with for alternative use; such as using cups as pen holders
• asking self, Is the object versatile, can I use it for different occasions? when deciding on whether to keep it or not
• instead of buying something that can potentially add to clutter, taking a picture and looking at it several days later to make sure if you still want this item
• to collect less clothes – buying pieces that go well with more things and can be used for both casual wear and more dressed-up version with a scarf or jewelry
• using layers in clothing: for example, one member does not buy long sleeved shirts anymore and instead adds cardigan over tank or short sleeve, which helps to reduce amount of clothing

Here is Tara’s presentation with useful links:

Other useful resources:

• Tara’s previous presentation to the group on organizing home: https://drawingonstrengths.home.blog/2021/01/26/organizing-your-home-the-occupational-therapy-point-of-view/
• 7 Decluttering Tips: How to Release Your Attachment to Your Stuff: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/7-decluttering-tips-release-attachment-stuff/
• Overcoming the Sentimental Sabotage of Clutter: http://minimalistathome.com/overcoming-the-sentimental-sabotage-of-clutter/
• Finding an organizer by your zip code: https://www.thumbtack.com/
• ZWB Labor Exchange – Boston Area (can exchange organizing for the help/service you can offer): https://www.facebook.com/groups/276083147226908/
• Bank of America’s Paper Timeline (recommendations for how long to save certain documents): https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en/privacy-security/how-long-to-keep-documents-before-shredding

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels