I was doing the school run on behalf of my sister. While my nephews and I have the highest regard for each other, it wasn’t going well. Maybe I chose too many battles.

Anyway, the eldest lad made a break for it and ran upstairs. I followed and found him looking out at me from under a double bed. 

I knew a change of tack was needed. I chose to open the window and silently tidy the room.

He stayed put.

Then I noticed two pairs of shoes tucked under the bed and relocated them. Shortly afterwards, he got out from under the bed and was happy to get on with the routine.

Some people think that Feng Shui is either silly or beyond them. But that –moving the shoes - was a little bit of Feng Shui.

What I like about Feng Shui is it’s not overly prescriptive. Nobody owns it. It is common-sensical and can be applied to many situations. Any time you examine your environment in relation to your goals, you are probably practicing Feng Shui.

And I’m happy I can add the school run to my breadth of life experiences.

There was a ‘2 melon for €2’ offer in one of my supermarkets the other day. The melons looked appetising, but I’m always wary of a 2 for 1 deal (BOGOF being the marketing acronym).

So, I went to check what one melon would cost - the answer €1.99.

Ultimately, I bought just the one.

Mainly for the thrill of regaling the purchase to my mum, who is from Ulster. (She was predictably horrified.)

But, I stand over my decision, for the following reasons:

a)    I went to the supermarket on foot

b)   I could only use one melon

c)    I saved €0.01

I finished two shower gels this week - hurrah.

It’s amazing how many of us reach for these products, even though we already own them.  Maybe the packaging is attractive. Or there is an irresistible unique selling point – one that renders your other cosmetics dated, nay invisible.

This means extra space occupied in your home and cosmetics which might never be used.

These are my shower gels in reserve.

Think I'll go for the blueish purple one next...

TIP Arrange your cosmetics in to categories (moisturisers/lipsticks/nail varnishes etc) and see if you can use some up.

I was being trained in for a stint on a reception desk some time back and was being shown the ropes in the kitchenette.

So far, so normal.

Then we came to the kettle. “It’s a very good kettle,” said the permanent receptionist, “but it doesn’t turn off by itself.”

Now, I don’t advise using faulty electrical equipment, but you've got to admire her attitude.

For a long time, I despaired about what to do with my bath towel. That bulky damp piece of material stressed me out considerably when I was trying to cope with leaving the house. The choices were not attractive.

i)              Hang it in the bathroom, and risk it being used by my housemates.
ii)             Chuck it on the bed (never a conscious choice, but it happened)
iii)            Hang it on the line – exposed to the elements
iv)            Fold it on to the back of my chair, thus retaining the moisture
v)             Launder my towels daily

Only (v) results in a dry towel and a tidy room. But I just can’t launder my towels every day. 

When I moved to my temporary/indefinite accommodation, the solution presented itself. 

For there is a towel rail in every bedroom. Admittedly, there is a sink in every bedroom too, but it's the towel rail I love. 

A towel rail can attach to any strong and agreeable surface.

Meanwhile, it’s ok to chuck your towel in the wash every few days (but with a towel rail, you can get five days out of it.) 

A common question for anyone sorting their stuff is - 'Where to start?'

The answer: make your bed.

Also, welcome to the blog.  Here you will find material which is (strongly or tenuously) linked to decluttering - my experiences and the odd brainwave.  Feel free to comment and please spread the word about my company - The Great Indoors.  

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Eve