I want my home to be filled with things that make me happy, things that have a purpose. I don't want to look at my home feeling like I'm constantly moving things around or trying to find "homes" for everything. I want to be able to open my wardrobe and be able to pull out clothes that will instantly feel put together instead of rummaging through my hoards of clothes with the opinion that "I still have nothing to wear". So, I'm on a mission. I'm decluttering and trying to change my thought process to a more minimal one. And no, that doesn't mean I want to dumb down! I want to be more thoughtful with purchases, items that I bring into my home - instead of mindlessly buying things that I think will make me happy.
So, here are a few things that I have done and plan to do to declutter my home, ready for a more minimalist lifestyle.
1. Throw away/donate the clothes that no longer fit
Whether they're too small or too big, get rid of them. I think we all have that pair of jeans that we're keeping hold of until the day we fit back in them. I know I certainly do. But in all honesty, what joy do they bring? What purpose do they have? I will be honest, every time I see mine it's a constant reminder that I'm no longer a size 10 and all that brings is negativity toward the way I currently look. I don't need that. That does not bring me joy. I do not need them. Plus flared jeans are something I wouldn't wear anyway!
2. Donate baby equipment
I have stairgates, bottle warmers, old clothes all taking up valuable space and we do not plan to have any more children. So why am I keeping them? I honestly do not know. I always seem to hang onto things, just in case. It's really annoying and it's something I'm going to try and stop doing from now on. Once something has served its purpose, it's time to donate it to someone who will benefit from it.
This is something I'm terrible for. Hoarding makeup and skincare. I get sent a few bits through here and I'm always stashing stuff away. I have way more than is actually needed and in all honesty half of the stuff is way out of date. My mum asked if I had any hand cream the other day, so I grabbed one out of my draw and all that came out was liquid. Highly embarrassing and off it went straight in the bin along with all other out of date products.
If you have little ones you know that your home slowly gets taken over by plastic monstrosities that are toys. It's always good to have a regular sort out of toys, ones missing parts, broken or no longer loved - donate! OR if your little ones are not set on saying goodbye to them just yet and you're desperate to reclaim a little bit more space, try rotating toys. Divide them up and store them away and then every few months you can swap them around. The children love it and they actually end up appreciating their toys so much more and you don't have to look at a mountain of toys stacking up in the living room.
This is something I have been meaning to do all this year. I honestly don't remember the last time I put a DVD on or listened to a CD. Everything we watch or listen to is now streamed. I have two shelves and two large draws full of DVDs and CDs that are just never used and again is taking up valuable space. Why do I keep these things if I don't use them? (You can see I'm getting frustrated with myself, right?!).
This is a trick I learnt from What Katy Said. This idea that if you clear your sink and draining board when you wake in the morning you will not feel as overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. It really does work. On the days when I forget to do this, I'm far less productive and I end up being really negative. This simple task really has a huge and positive knock-on effect.
3. Throw out out-of-date skincare and makeup
This is something I'm terrible for. Hoarding makeup and skincare. I get sent a few bits through here and I'm always stashing stuff away. I have way more than is actually needed and in all honesty half of the stuff is way out of date. My mum asked if I had any hand cream the other day, so I grabbed one out of my draw and all that came out was liquid. Highly embarrassing and off it went straight in the bin along with all other out of date products.
4. Donate or Rotate Toys
If you have little ones you know that your home slowly gets taken over by plastic monstrosities that are toys. It's always good to have a regular sort out of toys, ones missing parts, broken or no longer loved - donate! OR if your little ones are not set on saying goodbye to them just yet and you're desperate to reclaim a little bit more space, try rotating toys. Divide them up and store them away and then every few months you can swap them around. The children love it and they actually end up appreciating their toys so much more and you don't have to look at a mountain of toys stacking up in the living room.
5. Say Goodbye to DVDs & CDs
This is something I have been meaning to do all this year. I honestly don't remember the last time I put a DVD on or listened to a CD. Everything we watch or listen to is now streamed. I have two shelves and two large draws full of DVDs and CDs that are just never used and again is taking up valuable space. Why do I keep these things if I don't use them? (You can see I'm getting frustrated with myself, right?!).
6. Shine your sink, every night
This is a trick I learnt from What Katy Said. This idea that if you clear your sink and draining board when you wake in the morning you will not feel as overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. It really does work. On the days when I forget to do this, I'm far less productive and I end up being really negative. This simple task really has a huge and positive knock-on effect.
I would love to hear your decluttering tips to help me on my way to a more stress-free home environment.
K Elizabeth xoxox
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