Tips On Organizing And Decluttering

I had quite a big response I from my last post on living with less ( If you missed it you can read all about it HERE), I thought I would share some tips on organizing and decluttering.

This can be a big job to tackle, but with a few simple tips and tricks I can share how you can organize and declutter without getting stressed out.

 

If you are about to attempt to tackle organizing or decluttering first, take a deep breath.

It’s going to be okay I promise.

Then work on one section at a time.

So how do you start?

Let me share what I do, and how I sort things out.

I start with a section and I make four piles.

Pile #1

This will be your keep pile.

And your keep pile should consist of anything that you truly love.

Things that you are going to use or display.

Don’t  get wrapped up into to many emotions or you will end up with too much stuff.

Remember you are trying to purge.

I know it’s hard, but don’t think about, just do it.

If you have things sitting in a room, closet or whatever, and you have not used it in years, chances are you are never going to use it.

If you are keeping sentimental pieces then they should be pieces that will be displayed and honored properly.

If you are holding on to it for children or Grandchildren, see if it’s something they want.

I just recently read an article about children in this next generation not wanting our keepsakes.

Have you asked, do you think they want it, if not then get rid of it.

Think about it this way, if  it’s something of importance then you shouldn’t keep it locked away.

That’s how I reason with myself in what I keep and what I don’t.

If I truly love it then I don’t keep it locked away, I enjoy it.

I can’t keep every card someone gives me or every single picture my daughter drew when she was a small child.

So sort through and decide what to keep in that pile.

Pile #2

This is going to be your maybe pile.

A maybe pile is good pile to have because as you sort you will find things you are  not sure you want to part with.

I suggest not putting too much thought into this pile just yet.

When you are done , this will be your pile that you can go back through and decide it you really truly want to keep it.

Pile #3

This is going to be your donate pile.

Anything you no longer want, but is still useful in someway should be donated.

Landfills are filled up as it is.

So please donate anything that is still useable.

Most donations are going towards a charity too, so it’s a win-win.

Pile #4

This is your garbage pile.

Hopefully you won’t have much of that.

But if it’s nothing that anyone can use then toss it.

This will include anything that can’t be fixed.

Once you get started it’s pretty easy, as I said don’t think too much about it just start sorting.

Once you have your piles sorted go through pile #2- your maybe pile.

And really think about what should stay and what should go.

Whatever you no longer want from this pile, put it into the donate pile.

Now your ready to take the garbage pile out to the curb!

Before you donate your donate pile, do you want to make a little money with some of it?

Then hold a yard or garage sale.

You might have a little money sitting in that pile.

I have sold many things to earn a little cash to put towards changing a room, or towards a vacation.

So keep that in mind as you are sorting too, you may have money sitting right there in front of you.

If you do decide to hold a sale, whatever is left take it straight to a donation facility.

Don’t bring it back into the house or it will end up in a pile once again.

This is a rule I always follow, once a sale is over I load up my car and drive it to a donation facility.

I don’t want any of that “stuff” back in my home!

I know this is not an easy process for some of us.

But let me share a little more about me and why I started organizing and purging.

Many years ago I used to save my decorating magazines.

I mean, totes full of decorating magazines.

I just could not part with any of them.

I always thought that maybe someday I may want to see how they decorated a room or whatever.

So as I was rifling through piles of magazines in a tote I sat back and thought….what am I doing?

I mean it was ridiculous all of these magazines, why was I keeping all of them.

At that moment I stopped, went through those magazines, kept 10 and recycled the rest.

I also remember going through my daughters clothes.

Now that was hard!

But why was I saving them, when she could no longer wear them.

If she has children of her own someday, I doubt she would ever put those clothes on her child.

But we get so attached to the memories more than the stuff.

But that’s what photos are for.

I have many photos of her wearing the clothes, and those are great memories.

If you are looking for a book that gives a vintage flare on organizing tips, this is a great one.

I am not sure if it’s still in print, but you can check it out at a library.

Great ideas for repurposing and organizing.

I hope I have given you some good tips in helping you tackle your organizing and decluttering projects.

Just remember everyone has a secret pile of clutter somewhere in there home.

Mine is in my basement, and soon it will be clutter free 🙂