Dina, from Chaos to Clear https://www.chaostoclear.com.au/gallery.html came over this morning to help Ming tackle this:
Some of the stuff in this particular area was paperwork that I either didn’t know what to do with, didn’t recognise, and didn’t even remember putting there. But most of it was Ming stuff – lego (and lots of it!) brio trains and tracks, and a whole lot of other ‘things’ from Ming’s childhood. As this was Ming’s first experience of decluttering his own stuff with Dina, it was interesting to see his initial reluctance transform into a very healthy ruthlessness and we filled four garbage bags and two boxes with rubbish to be taken to the dump – wonderful! It was also quite moving to see what he was still sentimental about:
While this was happening, I sorted all of my plastic containers, got rid of all my old cook books and only put the Aga cook books in the kitchen drawer, and put all of the paperwork we found into the filing cabinet that is now functioning as a proper filing cabinet thanks to Dina’s labels. Bliss!
For me, the sense of space that has been created is the most wonderful thing! I have never known a cupboard, shelf or drawer in this house to be empty before so I am having a lot of fun thinking about how I can use these empty spaces. Wonderful!
And this is the beauty of Dina’s service; she helps you to cull, but she also helps you to put the things you want to keep back into the new spaces. Dina is way more organised than I will probably ever be, but she has given us such wonderful help and tips and sympathy!
She has also given us her friendship and is even happy to come and help me take Anthony out on occasion. Thanks again, Dina, for your tact, efficiency, respect and empathy. You are a wonder!
We even have a box of stuff to go into the nursing home.
jmgoyder 
A veritable gem.
Absolutely!
You are making such progress, I am amazed. What a find Dina was, everything you could possibly have hoped for and more.
Oh Susan I have been in such a blur for so long. Dina has rescued me and it is wonderful!
wonderful!
Absolutely!
I really need to do this too!
It is the best feeling!
you’ve given me the incentive to give it a try Julie
Brilliant!
(I hope Ming thought of donating some excess children’s stuff to the local library children’s corner?).
He hadn’t thought of this but he will now!
Wonderful! I think I could do with a visit from Dina. 😀
She is a gem.
What a transformation!
I am amazed at how easy it has been with Dina.
It must feel so ‘freeing’ to just have that clutter gone… and some more semblance of order.. Diane
Absolutely freeing!
I love how you are finding such joy in empty cupboards! See! There you go again. Inspiring me to get busy decluttering!
I bet you are already pretty organised!
Wow! Hooray!
We only have a couple of rooms to go now – and then it’s Ming’s shed.
Amazing 😀
Bravo! My problem is I’ll clean a closet, throw stuff out, but don’t manage to maintain it. The piles grow again and again.
I am hoping I will be able to maintain things!
I remember in my life an “aha” moment – Which caused me to write a song about my clarity named “Clear.” Well it is “clear” to me that you have “cleared” a lot of clutter from your life and your mind. You’ve made empty spaces into something so beautiful that I want to sing to you!
Honestly, there are special people in our life that make a difference. What a blessing Dina has been and at a time when you hardly hoped it could happen. But it did. There are no coincidences for things like this. I’m really happy for you, Julie!
I’m happy for me too Judy!!!
It seems you have made a very good friend. Good ones are hard to find so I am happy for you. I think for Ming it brings back memories when he looks at different pieces of his youth, but I can see he has matured greatly, and is ready to let go. Hugs
Yes she has become a friend now which is lovely.
So glad
Way to go! I’ve been doing a lot of that too but unfortunately it all seems to be ending up in my attic or garage.
I know what you mean but I am getting better at throwing out.
Gosh Dina sounds like a Godsend – I will contact her also
Let me know how you go.
Julie, Dina sounds like a Godsend! I would be curious to see her space; to see if she is as organized as she helps others to be! I have a friend who cleans others’ homes on the side for extra cash. By her own admittance, she is not so tidy at home!
Diana xo
I’m pretty sure Dina is ultra-organised in her own space. I will invite myself over one day to see!
I could use a Dina from time to time.
Dina says she will come over in a few months to inspect haha!
No, no, no! To help unclutter!
Kidding!
Those are SOME boots! Wow! I love how you describe Ming’s healthy ruthlessness. haha, one has to be ruthless to get rid of stuff. Keep the toys that still have boxes or sell them as they are usually worth money at some point.
I have a few more boots ha!
What a good result. Empty spaces…..envy.
Don’t you have any?
Never for more than about ten seconds.
Things are really starting to take shape
Yes it is very satisfying.
I’d need a Dina here as well! Wonderful progress!
Only a few rooms to go now.
Getting organized is such a wonderful, freeing feeling. Enjoy!
It certainly is!
OMG! Send her over! I have been house-sitting and accumulated STUFF here and my Christmas tree still hasn’t been packed into the box at my place.
You are so funny!
I guess you would have to be really ready for help. It would seem overwhelming for me to have someone else going through my stuff.