5 THINGS TO TOSS

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It's no surprise that my very first post would be about getting rid of clutter to create space for serenity. It's true, if your environment is cluttered, so is your mind. Looking for peace of mind? Then clean up! Here are my first 5 Things to Toss. That means, "Bye-bye". Do not donate these, please. There's no point trying to clutter up someone else's life. Here we go:


1. Old Newspapers
We are in the 21st century, also known as 'the Information era'. We've got news hitting us in all directions, it's hard to keep up. So by the time you are buying a newspaper, it's already stale news. Yeah, yesterday's news. The weekly paper has last week's news. But for some reason, you might keep a copy to refer to next week...in case something related pops up. However, when something actually pops up, what do you do? You google it. Before you know it, your newspapers are piling up everywhere...under the coffee table, under the bed, on the sofa, in the kitchen pantry!!! It's insane. Well, msupa, it's time to toss. Simply give them away to garbage collectors for recycling, if that makes you feel better. Where do you think toilet paper comes from?


2. Disposables
So you were at Nakumatt Junction and on your way out you passed by Java for a medium Mocca Latte and it was such a treat. Too good, too rare. How can you relive that experience if you throw away the little disposable tumbler. So you decide to keep it just like you kept the colourful Planet Yogurt cup, with its pretty spoon. Plus, there's nothing wrong with hoarding your plastic cutlery collection from Naivas cafe. They'll come in handy one day... REALLY?!! Are you planning to earn loyalty points by keeping these souvenirs? My friend, they're called 'disposables'. It's time to toss. I can't wait for these things to be banned in this country. It's time we had edible cutlery and bio-degradable tumblers. If you must keep a souvenir, make sure to re-use only one tumbler as a pen holder. The others...just toss!

3. Supermarket Bags
Sometimes we need to save supermarket bags for reusable work, like wrapping up soiled diapers, or as a bin liner in your kitchen, or to wrap up your hair when shielding from the rain...(ok that's just mboff! Don't do that.) Ok. I agree. This is a serious problem. I even feel bad that I have to suggest that you toss your plastic paper bags because it is an environmental issue. But you really can't keep aaaaaaaall of them. (Side note: I know someone who has a king size naija bag, full of these things. She needs help). You could stuff them all into one bag and toss, then let the garbage guys take to their recycle people to make fence posts, plastic furniture and other things that could perhaps reduce the felling of trees.

4. Old Medicine
I know deep down we think we're pharmacists. After you've had three babies like me, you're just as good as the paediatrician. Don't we wish we didn't have to go to the same doctor for another prescription, for the same symptoms? Why not just save thedawa and then next time baby falls sick, you can just explore your medicine cabinet for that dosage she didn't complete (or had some left over for a rainy day). Well, that day isn't today, momma. Toss! Unless maybe paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory, it's not wise to store left over drugs. According the Washington Post, "Self medicating from an old reserve of drugs can help fuel a rise in antibiotic-resistant strains."

5. Plastic Water Bottles
As I am in the housekeeping/hospitality business, it is not uncommon to find clients that luuuuurv their drinking water. We are 70% water. It's good to hydrate. Is it 8 glasses a day? Unfortunately, in Kenya we don't really trust the water treatment system so we buy bottled water for our dispensers at home. (I don't. I just boil tap water). There was a time when these huge 20 litre bottles were exchanged at the shop. Nowadays, you don't have to return them. So what do we do with these huge bottles? We keep them, just in case there's a scheduled water shortage looming, like in the dry spell. We also like to keep the small ones because we don't want to throw away such beautiful classy bottles...Well, just breathe in...breathe out...and toss! By now you know the trend, the garbage guys will take care of it.

I just noticed that 3 out of 5 of my Things to Toss touch some environmental or social issues. Please make sure your garbage collectors meet NEMA regulations, which try to ensure a habitable Kenya for our children. Getting rid of these things is just the start to creating serenity in your home. The best kind of hospitality begins with you.