Look around you at this time of the year. Many magazines, blog and whoever, is out there being touched by Spring Fever. What are they talking about – getting rid of your winter blues by de-cluttering and spring-cleaning, with the view of making way for the hot summer days.

When I was writing for the City Mag as their décor editor, it was something that I had to address as well. At first, I was a bit stumped by what to write about, that had not been tackled before. I mean, spring-cleaning is spring-cleaning.

Needless to say, I was happy that it was not an expectation from me this year. However, in the meantime something else along those lines has come across my path. Last weekend Kim Gray posted an article on her blog titled “I WAS HERE”. In it she featured a video clip of a Beyoncé song produced for The United Nations World Humanitarian Day titled “I was here”. I was deeply moved by the words of this song, because it just resonates with all that is within me concerning making my little mark in the world.

To quote Kim: “For years my husband and I have wanted to get involved in some sort of charity work – not quite finding the right thing. It’s been bugging us that we’re not giving back.” Seems she has found a niche now…

In the article she speaks of “editing her wardrobe, make up, perfumes, etc. regularly with a view of donating to the not-so-fortunate peeps beyond her personal borders. I loved that term – editing – probably a far nicer way of saying ‘spring-cleaned or de-cluttered’. She is challenging her readers to do one good deed for someone else and in turn, she will be rewarding some lucky reader with a super doper hamper. Be sure to check it out: here.

But in the meantime, instead of writing the proverbial ‘spring-cleaning’ article I have decided that since this type of paying-it-forward and giving to others is something so close to my heart, I would like to add my voice to Kim’s as she pushes forward with her “I WAS HERE MOVEMENT”.

Why not join us. Take the time to go to your wardrobe and dressing table, bathroom cabinet, linen and kitchen cupboard, books, homeware – wherever, whatever. EDIT out what you don’t need any longer, use any longer and all excess goodies. If you are a crafter or work with wool, fabric or any material, you might want to include any excess materials into the ‘editing’ process. I do it often with the fabrics that we have in our office. So many organisations are in desperate need of materials for their crafters.  

Get a nice sturdy box and pop it all in there. Mark it with the name of your favourite charity organisation or local church / mosque (if you don’t have one, now might be a good time to adopt one – take a common one if you must). Call them and I’m pretty sure that they will send someone around to collect your charity box in no time. Those that I have dealt with in the past never cease to surprise me with their willingness to collect. It is so good for your soul and for those to whom you are giving. Besides for the ‘feel good’ energy that you are left with, de-cluttering is also very good Feng Shui.

Cape Talk 567 Radio and LeadSA are other “I WAS HERE” type movements. Let’s join forces with all these folks and make our mark, as small as it may be.

I would love to hear back from you on this score. Tell me what you have done in the past. What you intend doing or are doing right now. Be it the ‘editing’ exercise, giving or simply supporting someone in need in some form or fashion. I know we don’t like to bleat about our own charity drives, but hey it is all about being a community and as such we encourage one another. Please don’t be shy!

HAPPY EDITING PEEPS! Remember, like Nike – “JUST DO IT!” In fact go one better – “Just do it, NOW!”

Yours in service of Interiors 🙂