Inventory of clutter?

related article here

An inventory of my belongings...

when does an item start to become a member of a clutter?

I will be moving into a new place in a few months, the thought of organising the move is daunting. At the moment, my personal belongings fill up quite everywhere, of this 840 square feet flat I live in.  One wonders how much can a bachelor person own?  Some women I know live with probably about 20% of the clothes I own.  

A a pang of panic shook me up when this realty agent lady commented on how much I have in this flat, when she came round with a potential buyer (who is now the actual buyer of this flat). Shit, I thought to myself, it's going to be hell when I have to pack all of these....clutters.

I went through the weeks thinking I'm a terrible hoarder of things, a woman who lives in clutters.

I walked around this small flat this morning, making a mental note of the THINGS I have with me here.  What exactly are these stuff that belong to me?  A single woman, no kids, no pets and living alone...  Why do I have things that can fill up a space of 840 square feet (I know it's not a huge place)?

I was looking for clutters, I took out a empty box I stacked up in my store room and was ready to pack some miscellaneous items in it.  

So what did I find in my flat?  Well, the list goes...

Clothes, in all of the three rooms in this flat.  Packed in boxes I have clothes that aren't on a regular-wear basis.  In the wardrobes are my show outfits and my normal wear.

Fine, clothes are fine, I have weeded out the to-give-away ages ago.

Next, I have books all over the flat, stacked neatly all over...They are all over the flat because I lack a big enough book case for all books I own, this include heavy volumes of music scores, magazines that I collect (Off The Edge & Australian Vogue), theatre souvenir/program books collected thro the years.  Verdict: books are for keeping because I love them and I haven't read most of them yet.

Next, I have stacks of CDs, DVDs all over the hall...most of them stacked nicely on a CD shelf (a wooden foldable shelf bought in flea market for 20 bucks), and some more in an Ikea plastic storage box.  Verdict: Of course for keeping, are you kidding?

Next, I have files and papers -- potential clutter!!!  Files of bills, certs and official documents, and music scores will stay, lots of other papers lying waiting for attention.  Verdict: Action required.

Next, I have costume jewellery and many kinds of accessories lying in boxes, drawers, wire display units, in baskets....hair accessories, feather boas, masks, earrings, brooches.  Verdict: Keep, of course, they are both my investment and passion, for both work and pleasure.

Next, I have bags, bags for all seasons and occasions, evening bags, overnight bags, travelling bags, hippie bags, lady-like bags.  Verdict: Weeding before packing is required.

Next, in the kitchen. Verdict: Definite a few out of use utensils can go right out of here.

Next, photo albums!!!  Remember them?  Before digital camera, flickr, and Face Book?  I have a few huge volumes of memories stacked neatly on the TV cabinet (don't own a TV so my `clutter' now reside on this cabinet).  Verdict: volumes of memories will stay.

SO, what do you think?  Do I own clutters or are these just things who make me who I am?  The bulk of my belongings are clothes, accessories and books (and I don't even have that many books).

Whatever it is, I know now the way to pack is to systematically arrange your things into a box, one category at a time and the way to do it is -- stay calm and collected.

Next, where do I get boxes?