How Happy Is... 5 Ways To Revamp Your House Without Moving

Many people are finding it hard to move house as it is still difficult to get a loan, so how do you move on with your life and change the energy and climate inside your home, while you wait for the climate to change outside your home? Here are a few tips to help you give your house and your life fresh energy. I am also sure if you do these following things you will find that the changes inside, will reflect new opportunities that will come your way in your life, on the outside.

Tip 1. One Step at a Time: If the thought of cleaning out your house all at once is really overwhelming, then decide which room you are going to start with and begin there. Take one room, one corner at a time. Maybe it will take you weeks, rather than days, but that's fine, just focus on one room, one week and then another the next. If you only have time to do an hour in one go, then do that. It doesn't matter how long it's going to take, it might take you three months, but three months is going to pass anyway, whether you clear out your house or not. So you might as well start and have it done by then.

Tip 2. Fewer Belongings: If you haven't used something in the last six months or one year at the very most, then get rid of it. Every object takes up space, but I am not just talking about physical space, I am also talking about emotional, mental and energetic space. If your house is crowded with a lot of 'stuff', you probably are also the sort of person who has a lot of internal chatter. As a result, it often means that there is much less space for new, creative ideas to come in. You will find that if you get rid of some of your belongings, your mind will also free up and it might make you more productive.

Tip 3. The Garage: As soon as you've cleared up the space, get all your unwanted objects out of the house. But don't just hide them in a place where you can't see them i.e. in your garage or in the back room. Even if the garage isn't attached to the house there is still an attachment to it by keeping it there, so clean that space out as well. If you're not sure about an object, give it to charity. It may ease your mind that someone else will get pleasure from having it.

Tip 4. Re-energizing Your Home: Give the walls a new coat of paint, so your house looks fresh and has new energy. If you're renting and you think it is the landlord's responsibility, then ask them to do it. If they won't, then just do it yourself. You are doing it for you and even though by rights it may be their responsibility I suggest that you don't use that as an excuse to not move forward, as you are the one who has to live there and it's your life, so you might as well do it.

Tip 5. Start now: Write down a list of all the things in your house that you have wanted to do and have not got round to doing. Perhaps you have been meaning to fix a cupboard, a drawer or a door. Or maybe you have been meaning to buy new bed sheets or change your room around. If you've had it on your mind to do, then now is the time.

I hope that if you would like to clear out your house these tips inspire you to go ahead and take the plunge. It's not such a huge job, if you move forward one step at a time.

That's it for this week and if you want to make contact with me please do so at [e-mail].

Comments

[SinfullySublime]

My FIL used to say that 80% of a job is just getting started. Make an agreement with yourself to do all you can -- for 20 minutes only. It's surprising what 20 minutes of concentrated effort can accomplish and, better yet, the momentum you've gained will propel you.

Also, your local freecycle group makes it easy to dispose of your stuff.

[ImagesbyMagoe]

The easiest way to revamp your home is to downsize and leave no more than 4-5 pieces of furniture and accessories in each room (total). Place remaining household items in storage, give away or have a sale..

Living a clutter free lifestyle does wonders for the mind!

[Robyn Feinsod]

These are great reminders!

Another cool way to shift the energy in your space, and reinvigorate it?

New wall art -- only the most inspiring pieces, of course... taken from family photos, vacation moments, etc. pictureframes.com is a great place to custom create these -- with canvas printing, fine art printing & an insanely great selection of mats & frames. Whenever I feel like I need a pick me up, I create something wonderful from my own images -- or finally go and frame one of my toddler's latest masterworks. And, in the interest of full disclosure­... yes, I work there. : )

[ramal]

Less is always more.

[Barrelhse]

Start by turning over the smiley-face pillow.

[rbarry647]

My ex had a great rule, if you buy a new piece of clothing then you have get rid of one in it's place.
It not only makes me think before I buy it also has me donating the old items because they are usually not worn out. I also haven't bought hangers in years.

[schatsie]

Great simple, clear and functional listing..t­hank you so much!

[MelanieWatson]

thanks for the helpful article. House keeping is something that is so important but so difficult to begin. Learn more about disposing trash. Read this article http://www.citizensreport.org/2009/07/28/trash-myths/

[silk olive]

this might sound morbid but its not meant to be. something that helps me to do massive cleaning/r­e-organizi­ng on occasion is to think 'ok, if i were to die tomorrow, do i want someone else dealing with this mess'? it helps me to get rid of all the things that not only i really don't want, but no one else would want either. there are certain things i want for life: photographs, favorite clothes, favorite records, important practical or aesthetically pleasing items. but in general, much of it is unnecessary clutter and baggage when it comes right down to it.

[isis]

I love tip #2. I often use "It has mass and occupies space" as a reason that I don't want something. My family laughs about it but now I feel confirmed. :)

[RuthieBabe]

Sophie is right about getting rid of anything you haven't used for 6 mos to a year. The collection of stuff that you keep can clutter up all areas of your life in ways you never realize. I have moved so many times in the past 10 years, dealing with boxes and boxes of stupid things that I never looked at. Finally, I started looking at what I had with a serious eye and realized how much time and effort I had used in moving and storing that stuff.

This last time, I gave over half of it away--books, clothes, furniture, etc. Salvation Army will probably turn a tidy profit from my donations. The feeling of freedom was incredible. It didn't take near as long to pack and the moving guys didn't use my picture as a dart board. I hope, one day, to get it all down to fit into one medium-sized car. . .but that may not happen ;->

[BlueZoo]

Years ago, we moved 15 times in ten years. The 16th time, we were transferred to London and I put everything in storage at a Bekins storage facility. It burned to the ground and everything I thought I valued burned with it. At first, I was heartbroken but, in the end, it taught me a valuable lesson. I'd put so much stock in what I owned that I'd forgotten what was really important. I now read my books but given them to the local college library when I'm finished. Clothing we no longer wear goes to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Ditto countless other "things!" Live is so much better!

[hulagirrrl]

I know the feeling. After my "new" start from zero I have learned to value friendship above all, for if it had not been for my many friends my life would be so empty. Material things come and go. One thing though I do different now. I leave my used books in public places, bus stops, cafes, etc. maybe someone will pick it up and read it.

[Chaucea]

Its a wonderful feeling to become 'dispossessed' from ones possessions! :-)

[jdw1981]

Before telling people to paint their apartments if their landlord won't, you might suggest they check their lease first to see if it's allowed.

[RANEFORST]

Indeed! I am a landlord & I dont allow tenants to paint. Plenty of damage can be done by an unskilled painter - not to mention bad color choices!

[granamica]

But are you the kind of landlord who won't fix things and hold onto the deposit anyway? I have had plenty of those and I wish I had painted. God knows, it would have been an improvement. I now rent out a room and tell the tenent that they can paint, put up shelves anything as long as it looks good when they leave.

And that works really well all around.

[oscartucker]

Thanks for the one-room-a­t-a-time-n­o-matter-h­ow-long idea. Often I am overhwhelmed. It's like opening a can of worms; stuff needs to be moved here, then something else is moved over there, etc., etc.

[Okieborn]

Hey Sophie !!
I love your ways to revamp your house !! There for a moment I felt boy I am gonna get busy now and get this re-vamping done !!! I will really think about it, but for now I think I will go take a nap !!