Is your closet (or oshiire) bulging with clothing, shoes, handbags, futons, old books, and suitcases? Are you having a hard time shutting your drawers? Are you suffering from a bad case of ‘too much stuff, too little space?’
In Japan (aka Land of Lilliputian storage space), this can be an extremely pressing problem, as your stuff literally presses in around you and constricts your daily life. Western storage and cleaning strategies (use your attic and garage!) are not applicable in these cases. So, today, I thought I’d present some ‘cleaning out and cleaning up’ tips from the Japanese pros. Why is decluttering frugal? Simply speaking, being surrounded by too much stuff often makes us want to collect more. Simple living is good for the soul. So here goes:
Step 1: Tackle your largest problem area first, preferably the day before your next ’sodai gomi’ (large garbage) day. Separate your belongings into three piles: items you need, items you definitely do not need, and the questionable pile.
The ‘definitely do not need’ pile includes stuff you’ve been meaning to throw away, and haven’t gotten around to yet. Dealing with this pile can probably take 5-10 minutes. This pile should be immediately sorted into burnable, non-burnable, recyclable, and large garbage, and put in a ‘neutral zone’ for disposal the next day.
The ‘need’ pile includes about half of your stuff, and items you use frequently. These items, once separated from the general pile, should be stored efficiently using boxes/crates/or other suitable storage items.
The five Golden Rules of Storage include:
- store like items together
- use space and depth (not width) effectively
- choose storage containers carefully to meet the task they were intended for
- choose storage containers based on volume and ease of use
- use your imagination to create a ‘clean’ look to the room when finished
Finally, the questionable pile. The questionable pile takes the most time, and should be further divided into three different classes: A (used only 30-50% of the time), B (used only 10% of
the time), and C (never used). Items in the C category could include clothes worn only 3-5 times a season, shoes only occasionally worn, and other items. A class items can be placed near the ‘need’ pile and dealt with later. B items are used only rarely, and should handled based on an objective criterion (all items used only 3 times a year will be chucked), or based on available storage space. C class items might include memorabilia, or other items that are hard to part with. Store C items in a special place, and revisit them in a week to decide what you should do.
Here are some solutions for some particularly difficult to declutter items.
1) Letters, old New Year’s or Christmas cards, and pictures.
First of all, the following items could probably be chucked: old direct marketing flyers and advertising postcards, letters from people you haven’t met/spoken to in years, New Year’s or Christmas cards older than three years past, old photo negatives, and that pile of pictures you’ll probably never get around to scrapbooking.
For the remaining postcards and letters, why not use a postcard case? Available for around 150 yen, these clear, plastic cases store around 60 postcards and/or photos. Great for keeping track of all your Japanese acquaintances! Also available at 100-yen stores.
2) Books, magazines
First of all, the following books can probably be trashed: old guidebooks (5 years old or older), old info magazines, old book series and magazines, old textbooks, old dictionaries, maps, travel books, novels you never read again, and old catalogs.
Muji also has some of the sturdiest, cheapest, and lightest bookshelves I’ve seen for a good price. The craft pulpboard boxes with two shelves are 1,980 yen, and are light enough to carry home on the train. They hold up very well, and blend in with almost any interior.
3) Home decorative items, furnishings
The following items might be good candidates for the ‘do not need’ pile: unused gifts from Japanese weddings or other events, unused picture frames, unused flower vases, decorative items, etc., stuffed animals from your childhood, and instruments, hobby, or sports items that you no longer use.
(Note: FreeStuff Japan is a good place to get rid of these!)
For the items that you do intend to keep, check out your nearby 100-yen shop for cheap but effective covers (for clothing, futons, fans, heaters, etc.).
Note: The ‘Five Golden Rules’ were borrowed from “Nikkei Woman,” December 2004, p. 51.
© 2004 Wendy J. Imura.