10 Things to Keep in Mind While Decluttering

HELLO New Year! Hello goals, intentions and probably decluttering!

I’m super excited, because this is the first year I am not feeling ANY pressure to declutter!

I hope you are asking why, because I am briefly going to explain, and then I will send you on your way with 10 things to keep in mind while YOU are decluttering!

In 2016, I decided to simplify our life, be intentional with my purchases and minimize clutter. (I’m telling you how long it’s been, not to pat myself on the back, or say you are behind the curve, but to show you that this lifestyle works and is not a fad or a trend.)

I truly believe that this has saved my relationship with my children, while there are still days that I feel stressed because toy’s were left out, or am irritated the dishwasher didn’t get run. Those days are few and far between, because my mindset is in the right place!

Living Intentionally is as much of a mindset as it is a lifestyle. When we switch out of the mindset of…

“But I paid good money for that!”

“I MIGHT need it someday.”

“If we ever move, I’m sure I will need that then.”

“This will totally fit again when I lose 20lbs.”

“I can’t get rid of that, it was my Grandmother’s.”

“I will totally need all 50 of those plates if we ever have company over.”

…and switch to a mindset of, does this bring me joy, is being the manager of all of this stuff worth my time. Is cleaning up after my kids and their childhood really worth missing out.

So here they are!

10 Things to Keep in Mind While Decluttering

1. Does this item bring you Joy?

If you were to only use 1 of my 10 suggestions, THIS would be it!

How do you feel, when you hold that sweater in your hand?

How do you feel, when you drink out of that coffee mug with a chip in it?

How do you feel, every time you trip over your kids toys that they never play with?

If the item in question, does not bring you pure joy, forget abou’ it! If the item in question irritates you, pisses you off, makes you wish it wasn’t around, Say Sayonara and toss it into a donation bin (or if it is damaged, the garbage can.) I know that throwing things away can be controversial, I GET not wanting to contribute to the landfill. HOWEVER, when you keep stuff around, and choose to not declutter, your home becomes a landfill!

2. Is it expired?

Do I need to say more? If you are unsure where to start on your decluttering journey, start here!

Keeping expired products is just gross! If you did not use them before they expired, why would you be using them after?!

Whether it’s make up, personal care products, supplements, food etc, if it is expired, dispose of it properly and let’s move on!

3. Did it get used last year?

Again, if the answer is no, say buh-bye!

If you went 365 days, through spring, summer, fall and winter, and did not use the item.. odds are you will go another 365 days without using it!

4. It is broken, have rips, stains or holes?

This is something to keep in mind especially when you are doing your closet! However, applies to table clothes, linens, blankets and basically all textiles.

Who cares if it is your favorite shirt, bummer that it is stained, either give it one more attempt to remove it, or save yourself the time and toss it!

Missing a button, broken zipper, split seam?? Either employee your mother or a seamstress to fix it, or toss it!

I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep around an old t-shirt and ripped jeans to paint in. But unless that is your profession, odds are you wont need more than one set of “paint clothes”.

5. But you paid good money for it!

Yeah, so what?! You’re going to continue to clean it, dust it, stress over it, trip on it because you made a poor choice?

Is it possible to return it?! I don’t know about you, any time I “pay good money” for something, I keep the box (or at least the bar code,) the receipt and the tag, just incase I change my mind.

It is possible to return without the receipt? Do you still have the tag and the card you paid with? Are you okay with store credit?

If the answer to those above questions is no, (attempt to re-sell if that’s your thing, but remember your time is valuable!) chalk it up as a lessoned learned, and make better spending choices in the future!

6. Just because it was sentimental to someone else, doesn’t mean it needs to be sentimental to you!

This goes back to… does it bring you joy?!

Let’s use a piece of furniture that was your grandmothers as an example (or even her china!)

When you see it, does it bring you to tears with her memories? Yes, then keep it! No, say bye-bye!

Can it be turned into something else that you WILL use everyday? Can you find a wood worker to turn the old dining table that is in your garage into beautiful open shelving in your kitchen? etc.

Is it in the same box, tub, storage container as when you received it? Bye Felisha!

7. Do you feel like your part-time job title is “Stuff Manager”?

Take a moment and think about that title. Are you the Stuff Manager of your home, who is getting paid $0/hr to clean, put away, constantly organize your STUFF.

If you are, let’s put your two weeks notice in NOW and make a change! Break up with your bad habits for keeping things around, the excuses, the lies, quit managing your stuff and start living your life!

8. Is anything REALLY that worth it, to continue to trip over, stress over etc.

Yes, we just celebrated Christmas, but honestly…. that is not a good enough reason to keep around extra stuff!

Were your kids gifted toys that are cheap, not something they like or just straight obnoxious?

Take this time to teach your children about sharing, explain to them that not everyone is as fortunate as they are, and that their are children who would LOVE their toys they are not playing with! Help them to bag up any unwanted toys, and make a trip to your local donation center together! They will love being apart of giving to someone else.

If you are tripping on something, that usually means it has little to zero value. Think about it, your son walks around holding his favorite toy, we all keep our phones in a safe place, even your dog probably stores his favorite ball or bone in his bed.

If that item is not valuable enough to get picked up, put away, or out of harms reach, what is it doing there in the first place!?

9. Are you in the same season of life or are you holding on to someday?

Baby clothes/gear/items are a GREAT example! Are you in the season of growing your family?? Then great, keep those size 0-3 month clothes a little longer.

Are you keeping around your child’s old clothes, because maybe one day your unmarried, single brother might want them for his kids?!

Are you keeping them around just incase your husband’s vasectomy gets reversed?

If you are in the same season of life, great, find a practical way to save what you love.

If you are waiting for someday, when so and so has a baby, or someday when we move to a bigger house, or someday if…….

How long have you been saying “Well someday when I take the time to declutter..”

Exactly.

10. Does a friend/neighbor/family member have the same thing that you can borrow IF that someday comes around?

Odds are… Yes!

Did you know, that people actually like to help you out?!

Now, I’m not talking handout bus, using people, and just straight up having no boundaries.

I’m talking, you are throwing a dinner party, people are always asking what they can bring, what they can do to help…

What if they brought over a set of plate?

Or a few folding chairs?

Your family, friends and neighbors are not going to leave you high and dry! (If they do, find new friends, move to a new neighborhood and set boundaries with your family!)

I would love to continue this conversation with you! Please connect with my on Instagram and subscribe to my newsletter down below!