For some people this totally works. I am not one of those people. I like a place for everything and everything in it's place. Having things neat and orderly helps you find things quickly and easily, not to mention it just looks nice. Also, it's clean. Think of all the dust mites that could be lurking around. So at least a couple times a year, I go through my closets, drawers, and all those little places that start collecting things. Here are some things I do/and some advice based on my experience:
- Get started. It seems like such a big task but you have to start somewhere. I have a lot of things to go through in my home so I do a step-by-step method. For a period of 1-2 weeks (if you have more things or a bigger house you'll obviously need more time), I tackle one project a day. This way I don't get overwhelmed, I actually finish what I start, and I get encouraged by the progress to continue on.
- Purge + Donate = Space. Go through your things and make piles. 1) Things to throw away. 2) Things to donate. 3) Things to keep, that you will actually use. 4) A FEW things for sentimental value (photos, keepsakes, etc.). The goal is to make space. Do not keep more things than space allows for.
- When going through clothes, I donate anything I haven't worn in the last year. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've had a few things with tags still on them (this is a different issue called, "shopaholic-ism", which we can chat about at a later date...wink). But the point is that if I didn't wear it for a year, I never will. My only exception is pregnancy related clothes. Maternity clothes are packed away in a tote, as well as post-pregnancy clothes (that awkward stage of being too big for my usual clothes, but not wanting to wear maternity clothes anymore). For my son, I usually donate a lot of his clothes. I do however save some. We plan on trying for another baby some day, so it's logical and economical to save some of his things that are still in great condition. (Watch, I'll probably have a girl....hahaha.)
- I personally do the bulk of my shopping during my vacations to the US each summer. I do much lighter shopping throughout the rest of the year. I do this only because there are certain stores I love that we don't have here. So every year after traveling I have a lot of new clothes and things. It's at this time that I MUST go through my closet. It's simple math, you can't keep adding and adding into a fixed space without subtracting something out. It just won't fit. Plain and simple. So as you buy new things, sort through your clothes and donate things you haven't worn or that you don't want/need anymore. Think of it as exchanging the old for the new.
- Get rid of junk. There are just "things" that seem to collect in one's house. Find a place for them or get rid of them. During this current de-junking I've found a piece to a flashlight, old grocery lists, an inflatable toy for my son that has a hole in it, and the list goes on. All of these items got tossed. And don't forget little baskets and/or junk drawers...attack them and purge the junk! Don't be afraid no matter how scary it looks. ;-)
- Clean as you de-junk. Don't forget to clean the dust that you will find. And organize things as you find them. All of my son's baby toys are now stored away together(he's 3 now, he doesn't need them anymore, but if we have another baby they'd come in handy). My bags are all in one tote together. And my hubby's tools are organized in his tool box (any little screws I find along the way go right into his container of screws/nails). Organize as it works for you.
- Last...sit back, relax, and BE PROUD! I LOVE the feeling of knowing my house is clean, organized and in order. It's very rewarding after you finish!
I'm currently about 3/4 of the way finished with my de-junking and I can't wait to finish. I feel I can start a fresh new school year with a clean and organized home. Maybe I'll take some pics to share once I'm done. ;-)
Bye for now.
Images from Fotosearch.com
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