to me
Out With Junk….
By Vengrai Parthsarthy
The ‘Anjana Petti’ of our grandma’s days can be claimed to be the
forerunner of the idea from which the ‘Organiser’ concept has spread
to America! The’petti (box) which is still in vogue used to be a round
box with ten or twelve tiny containers for storing, pepper, fenugreek,
mustard and other spices which go into the making of of the now famous
masala’ or ‘curry’ as they call it. The tiny boxes get replenished
periodically from the sub-stock. Long before the O&M thought of time
space and ‘economy of motion’ regimens, our grandmas had the ingenuity
to minimize efforts in the kitchen in their own ingenuous way.
The whole concept is based on the principle of ‘a place for everything and
everything in its place’
In America, it has been said , that the idea took root in the garage, which
is now being put to part-use as workshop by handymen. Someone came up with
the idea of organizing tools and things in a shelf with allotted spaces suitably
designed.
The next step was the wall system in the living room. It was designed to provide
space for the TV, the sound system, adjustable shelves for trophies and even books.
The idea spread and we have Organizers even for kitchen cabinets, closets, file
racks , toys, board games and so forth. Organizers may not be the ideal solution
for Indian conditions due to space and cost considerations. But a beginning to
un-clutter the home needs to be made.
Professional Organizers, (the human kind), are now many. I met one in India. A pre-
condition for success is for both spouses to be involved , specially if they represent
‘throw it away’ on the one hand and ‘It may be useful some day’ on the other.The
children too have to be involved in the exercise.
Our houses are stocked with many unwanted things which should have been trashed or
given away long ago. Just imagine: Broken lamps, used tins, worn out sandals, half-used
paint cans, rusted or broken buckets are but some of the things which should be trashed.
. A rule of thumb is to throw away things which have not been used or even touched for
several months, even years”
(Aside–the way my wife looked at me left me wondering.The rule of thumb applies to me being
an octogenarian!)
The pro added ‘I am not suggesting that memorabilia like the cup you won in school for
the 100 meter dash or the Cricket bat which holds memories of your half century in a
college match or old vase which your mother-in-law had given,, even if gathering dust
should be thrown away..
One sure way of avoiding disorganization overload is to learn not to hoard.. Give away:
old clothes and utensils to the poor; books which have no more use to schools or book circulating libraries. You can even have a rummage sale in association with friends .
In America they call it ‘Garage Sale’ where one can get some very good bargains..
The moral: : THE UNMANAGEABLE CAN BE MANAGED..(Vengrai.com)