Normally, many want to spend the time between the years comfortably: strolling through the Christmas market again, visiting friends, doing the last few purchases. But since this is becoming more difficult due to the cold and increasing incidences, we have to do something at home. And best of all, it makes sense: How about using the time to clear out? We have tips from an expert so that you can create lasting order.

When you think of tidying up or decluttering, you probably think of one person first: Marie Kondo. The expert has developed methods to avoid chaos at home. But there is not only the so-called KonMari method. DIY expert Jelena Weber also has tips and tricks up her sleeve to keep things tidy. In her book "Cleanup Compass" she summarizes the most important steps. In her second book "More from Less" she also gives further tips on how minimalism can work in everyday life.

In an interview with the star, she explains: "Especially with cosmetics, we always have a lot of stuff that we never or rarely use. And I always recommend reducing it to the things that are really good and that you use often and regularly .Give everything else away if someone is happy about it, sell it or check the expiry date and throw it away if necessary. That's always the first step."

According to Weber, it is also important: "If you sort before you clear out, you take the second step before the first. Then you will quickly fall back into the old chaos." So it's better to check first:

"And then really generously muck out," says Weber. The same applies to clothing: Always look at what you wear regularly and everything else can safely disappear. Particularly beautiful pieces that you wear often can be put in the limelight on a clothes rack. Every part should have its place there, to which it always finds its way back at the end of the day. This is how you keep things in order in the long term.

There is no need for things that you have in duplicate or triplicate, for example in the kitchen. You can also confidently clear out and give things away or sell them, explains the expert. At the end of the day, you should know what's hidden in every drawer, in every box and behind every cupboard door. "That's my number one tip. Everything else comes after." Unsightly things are best kept locked, for example on shelves with boxes. But even in crates or boxes you should keep order and not just throw everything in because you can't see it after all. This also applies to the basement. Again, you should always know what is stowed where, so as not to lose track.

If you have cleared out generously, it is of course helpful if you manage to keep things tidy afterwards and not accumulate too many things again. Everyone has to find a system that is easy for themselves. For example in the study: "Get folders that label them: done, not done. Then you can avoid the chaos of notes."

Jelena Weber recommends: "Each individual part has to have its own place. If you stick to it, you should be fine. I don't believe in creative chaos, it also creates clutter in your head. Structure is better." Once you have found a routine, you can stick to it without thinking too much about it.

"Waiting times can also be used to keep order, for example when the potatoes are cooking," explains the expert. then keeping things tidy no longer feels like you have to spend an awful lot of extra time on it. "If you do it on the side and internalize and acquire routines, then in the end you don't have the feeling that it's all overwhelming. Then it feels completely natural."

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