Perhaps the biggest challenge I am facing with the prospect of a new house is avoiding clutter. For 2 years now I’ve got away with having packed boxes of junk lying chaotically around the house, thanks to the excuse that where I live now was just temporary until I bought somewhere. Come October, I’ll no longer have that excuse.

A big clearout, yeah the same one that’s been ongoing for quite some time now, is going to be ramped up. Stuff which hasn’t been used in years, and is not likely to be used, will be turfed. One pile will go on eBay, another in the charity bins, and whatever’s left will go into the recycle or garbage bin.

I’ve already gone through and found a bunch of books and CDs that can go on eBay. Other items due for savage culling will include:

• Video tapes. I have hundreds of the bloody things, with lots of things taped when I was a TV junkie. I’m not a TV junkie anymore. I aim to get rid of about 90% of these.
• Computer mags. Many undated and now useless. Maybe some nostalgia buff will enjoy them.
• The kids’ toys and clothes. Some they still use. A lot more they’ve now grown out of, and they can be pointed in the direction of my young nephew and other more junior kids around the place.
• Paperwork. I’ve got ludicrous numbers of papers in a filing cabinet, going back years. Most can be recycled, ensuring there’s enough room to properly file all the newer stuff I’ve got scattered around my desk.
• Miscellaneous electronic junk: Old phones, computer mouses, many various cables, a sound mixer… all stuff that can be offloaded to whoever wants it, or binned.

I’ve also got hold of a catalogue from (of all places) Howard’s Storage World, a shop I’ve walked past and sniggered at in days gone by. Now I need their help. My aim for the new house is this:

Everything shall have its place.

Wish me luck.