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Are you finding it’s easier to see what clothing you own now that your drawers and your closet racks are less packed? Since going through them and having more laundry come through I’ve even found a few more items to pass on to the thrift store. I want to spend the next few months thinking of what types of clothing I really like so I can make a great Christmas list and have a wardrobe I love.
If you are just joining us, here’s the deal:
I still had this mindset of decluttering being a big ol’ chore up until a few months ago when I read this fantastic post from Nony at A Slob Comes Clean. It was like a huge light went off in my brain! Decluttering is simply the act of getting rid of what doesn’t belong, isn’t needed, or belongs in the trash. It doesn’t mean buying a whole slew of new bins for your things to go in or coming up with some type of system that you hope will change your life – that’s organizing. It’s a whole different ball game. Right now, I’m in the game of decluttering. I just want things GONE.
When there’s less stuff, especially less of what has no purpose in your home anymore, organizing can often happen naturally. You won’t be cramming thirty towels into the closet because you only need ten and they fit nicely. You don’t need to dig through a tub of medicines to find what you need only to keep coming across bottles that are long since expired.
Here’s my challenge: Each week, take on ONE area of your home. I’ve already made the list for you so that part is done. Go to the area, throw away trash, put items that you no longer need but are still in good condition into a donation box, and put other items where they belong. Simple!
You can read more about the challenge on the week one post.
Week 20: Master Bedroom Closet Shelves
We have a set of shelves in our closet that divides the two sides. It often becomes a catch-all for random objects we aren’t sure what to do with, plastic containers we are using to separate LEGO during builds, books, and LEGO sets we still need to build. I knew there might not be much we could actually get rid of permanently but there had to be better spots for some of it.
I was right.
We took almost all the stuff off the shelves other than the books to sort through it. Our bed was a disaster of epic proportions during this time because we were also sorting through our dressers and closet shelves at this point.
The first thing I did was put all the books back neatly. I have only gotten two new books since I did a KonMari purge on them last year. I really don’t own many books for someone that ADORES reading. I’m all about supporting the library by getting my books from them and then owing them money when I forget to return the books. Okay, so I try to remember to get them in on time but occasionally life gets in the way and I forget. But I digress…
The pillow on the bottom shelf got put in the linen closet… you know, where it belongs. The Target bag has Christmas pjs that we ordered on clearance so I stuck those in the present stash box. We sorted through some of the LEGO pieces in buckets. Many were extras from sets but others were pieces that certain children removed from sets we have on display. Those got put where they belong – either back in a set or downstairs to be sorted correctly. The bin at the top that still has LEGO in it is a birthday set that the kids can rebuild for each of their birthdays. Someday we will find a better place for it but so far, to keep it safe, we keep it in our closet. And the set in the bins in the middle is a set we need to find a place to display. We are quickly running out of shelf space in this house.
We kept all the plastic bins because we use those whenever we build LEGO sets but now that they are empty they fit together a little better. It would be nice to have all the same types of containers but we use bins that don’t have lids, have cracks and aren’t suitable for food, or that would have gone to the recycling bin otherwise. Yay for repurposing!
All the Transformers and LEGO sets got grouped together, which obviously makes more sense. The VR Headsets are now on the top in the shoe box. The one Transformer out of place (in front of the books) was put there on Sunday when Micah almost opened it with the kids. We both have the habit of putting things back in the spot in front of us rather than where they belong. We are working on it.
It definitely looks better now than it did when we started. Before it was crazy cluttered and now that I look at the before picture it’s no wonder I didn’t like going in the closet. It’s almost anxiety inducing! But this after picture is clear and organized (at least for us) and makes me happy to open the closet doors. Phew. So worth the effort.
Share a picture in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #clutterbusterchallenge of what you found to declutter.
Come back next week for week 21 of the Clutter Buster Challenge when we go through our make up and beauty products. I tend to hold on to make up WAY longer than I should so I’m positive I’ve got some items to get rid of in my bathroom. Also go through your hair styling products or any other beauty items you have.
If you are looking for a better way of keeping on top of your homemaking tasks now that you are steamrolling through all this decluttering you might be interested in a new course from Humorous Homemaking. Home Management How To: A Guide to Daily Success is open now! I’ve got a post about my experience with this course here but this is a great course for you to take control of all the household tasks in a way that is tailored specifically to your family and life.
