Are you relocating? Maybe you’re moving homes in Singapore (or abroad) and need to declutter so you don’t end up paying to move those things you haven’t seen or touched since you moved in in the first place? Or are you simply looking to manage and tidy your home? Professional organiser Clara Chew, owner of Reglow Living, is an expert in the field. Using the Marie Kondo-inspired KonMari Method, she can help transform your home from an overwhelming mess to a haven of peace and calm.
Clara discovered Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, in 2017, and subsequently transformed her own home and life. Leaving behind a career in private banking, she moved into the realm professional organising. Her work helps clients tidy and declutter, which invokes calm and order, and, importantly, teaches them to live in the present.
Living amongst the mess and disorganisation of possessions can have a profound effect on other parts of your life. By tidying and streamlining, you can become more efficient and productive; and a changed mindset can mean less waste in the long run – meaning you could even save money.
Moving homes? Five things to do before the big day
It’s easy to dread the big move but being organised can help keep any anxiety at bay. Here are Clara’s top tips to get you ready.
- Request or buy packing boxes at least six weeks prior to the move.
- Put all fragile items in one place – this includes wall art and ornaments.
- Start packing early, at least four weeks in advance, and pack mindfully. Pack a little each day and assess if you really want each item before moving house.
- Lay hanging clothes flat; if possible, place them in long rectangular boxes. Alternatively, take several pieces of clothing at once with the hangers, fold them in half or thirds loosely, and place them into boxes carefully. Do not overstuff.
- Label each box before you tape it shut. Clearly state which room they should go in, not what’s enclosed.
Tidying with kids in the home
Keeping a tidy home with young children around can be, let’s face it, a bit of a nightmare. As a mother of two daughters herself, Clara knows all too well how difficult it can be. But encouraging children from an early age to keep things tidy helps instil the importance of care for their belongings in the future. Here are her top tips:
- Set an example; if we want to teach kids to tidy, we have to be tidy ourselves! Make tidying part of everyday life and emphasise the benefits of a tidy home.
- Involve them; explain to them what we are doing and why we are doing it so they can understand the rationale behind our actions.
- Have a home for everything. Ensure you have designated storage space for every toy and let children know where that home is. Let them know that their toys would like to go home at the end of the day.
- Enjoy the present. Don’t get upset when things don’t always look the way you want. Kids aren’t going to remember the living room coffee table being messy, but they will remember their parents always yelling at them to tidy up!
The Marie Kondo-inspired KonMari method
You may well have already heard of international best-selling author and Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo, who has inspired thousands to declutter and organise their homes. Her methods may be simple but they’re highly effective. She focuses on tidying by category, such as clothing, books and sentimental items. She encourages people to keep items that ‘speak to the heart’, and discard items that ‘no longer spark joy’.
Working with Clara
The first step is to book in a free 15-minute phone consultation to find out your needs and how she can help. She can then come to your home or schedule a virtual appointment. Together you will go through your belongings and decide if they fit into your ideal lifestyle. Clara can advise if you are moving homes in Singapore or beyond, and look at pre- or post-move organisation. She can also look at whole house organisation, or specific areas in the home. By using the Marie Kondo KonMari method, she aims to bring order and efficiency into your home.
Clara has a clear passion for what she does, rooted in her client’s satisfaction. “I love seeing the transformation in their lives after they’ve completed their tidying journey. Other than the happiness and fulfilment they gain from living in their ideal space, the change in their mindset is amazing; from always believing themselves to be a messy person, to knowing that they can be tidy and organised. I had one client who told me that now an internal red light blinks in their head when they don’t put things back to where it belongs.”
clara.chew@reglowliving.com | 8688 5613 (WhatsApp only)
reglowliving.com
Hopefully this helps relieve some stress if you’re moving homes in Singapore and gives you plenty of decluttering ideas. Check out this article for some great storage solutions to help keep everything in its place!
