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It’s already week 8 of the Declutterathon, and I hope you’re starting to see some great changes taking place in your home and life.
This week was tentatively planned as office week, but after dealing with the laundry room last week I figured we should probably make a nice, organized space to put all of our newly cleaned clothes so we’ll focus on our closets instead. Honestly, dealing with our closets first probably would’ve been preferable (mental note for next time).
Now, before I start talking about closets, I want to be completely honest with you. I haven’t even started to work in my laundry room. Yep, haven’t done a thing. Well, no… I did put a load of laundry into the washing machine and then forgot to put it in the dryer so yeah, I need to rewash that, but as far as decluttering or cleaning the space goes nope, nada, zip.
I’m vascillating between beating myself up and trying to give myself grace. I’d love to say I have a lot of valid reasons for not doing anything (and I do have some valid reasons), but I also spent way too much time on facebook, writing this blog (because it’s fun!!), and binge watching tv with my husband. I’m owning it. I did not make great use of my time, and that’s okay. I’m going to just acknowledge it, move on, and try to do better this week.
So, if you’re a little (or a lot) behind, that’s okay. I am too, and I’m writing this series! The important thing for us to remember is that we’re working for progress not perfection. I’m an all or nothing kind of person and tend to get impatient when I set out to make a change and everything isn’t instantly the new way I want things to be. I need to keep reminding myself that nothing will be taken care of instantly. That’s an unrealistic expectation, especially where big life changes are concerned like establishing new habits, organizing an entire house, or losing weight (my three current, seemingly neverending battles).
I’m going to try to enter this week with an enthusiastic attitude and commited to getting these spaces whipped into shape.
So let’s begin!
The first step in taking care of our closets (after taking a before picture, of course) is going to be to completely empty the space.
If you’re starting to panic, I understand. I wrote in my Messy Entryway Makeover post that I usually don’t empty spaces when decluttering because, for most of the areas in my home, it would be too overwhelming. When you’re able to though, I think it’s extremely helpful.
Next, we’ll sort. By now, we all know the drill. Make piles for items you’ll keep, donate, trash, or move to another room (don’t forget to use your laundry basket and these handy labels).
Next, we’ll clean the space and decide how we want things to be organized. I’ll share some for closet organization tomorrow so if you want some inspiration be sure to check those out.
Lastly, we’ll put our keep items in their new homes and take a picture of all our hard work!
I hope you’ll stop by the Declutterathon facebook page to share your before and after pictures. They’re doing a great job of keeping everyone motivated and inspired.
I wear very little of what’s in my closet so most of it will probably end up going. What will you get rid of this week?
Uhuuuu, I could have written this… 😉
In a way I am looking forward to digging into my closet, in a way I am frightened … but so much looking forward to what it will be looking afterwards! Keep going everybody 🙂
The afterwards is great. It’s the “keep going” that’s so hard! 🙂 Good luck with your closets, and please share pics. I’d love to see them.
Hi Emily, did you drown in clothes in the meantime? I am tiptoeing around my closet for days now but soon it is time to tackle it, too. I am a bit afraid though 😉 Regards from Andrea
Almost! Honestly, my closet’s more my husband’s domain. It’s kind of where my pre-baby clothes have gone to die. Once I sort through the clothes and get rid of what doesn’t fit I’ll have very little left lol
Thank you for this series! It is so refreshing to have such a “real” and “honest” portrayal of the process without a bunch of product placements (which actually feeds into the clutter monster and materialism!) Kudos to you!! Thank you for the open before pics! I’ve unloaded a bit one too many spaces in my house at the moment…wish me luck as I declutter and only put our treasures/needs back!!!:)
Thanks, Ann! Yeah, that’s something I’ve weighed carefully. I really only want to promote products that I love and truly believe will help people. I could easily load up every post with a bunch affiliate links, but, like you said, how would that help anyone declutter?! Helping people really is my main goal. I also want people to know that when I recommend something it’s because I love and believe in it 100%. Thanks for noticing 🙂
i manage a charity thrift shop and want to thank u all for cleaning and de cluttering. Please consider donating your items to a charity shop in your area. Our shop dresses people for job interviews, court appearances and work (someone who has a job but can’t keep up appearances). We help furnish apartments of people who have been displaced from their homes and have provided bedding for veterans homes. We donate toys for number of programs, teachers get supplies and for Mothers Day pack purses with scarves, sample makeup and small items that children in shelters can pick out and give to their mothers for Mothers Day. When you are cleaning, think about all the goo you are doing yourself and others!
Thanks, Lena! Giving to others is a great motivator for decluttering. The only things I trash are those ruined and truly beyond repair. It’s nice to know that someone’s making use of something even if I can’t use it anymore.
i am loving this series!! and eagerly waiting the remainder of the weeks!! aware you swamped in the closet??!!
Thanks, Heidi! I just tackled my kids’ closet a couple days ago. Three of them share it, and it was a mess! We didn’t really even use it because we were keeping everything in drawers (which is kind of a nightmare when the kids get into them). I shared that post here. I’m thrilled with how it turned out, and yes, I was almost the victim of a clothing avalanche!
https://www.happyorganizedlife.com/how-to-create-a-capsule-wardrobe-for-kids/
I was wondering if this series is continued after this? I just started the first week and I’m really looking forward to it.
Hi Sara,
Yes! The series is still going on (though slowly at this point) 🙂 If you click on “Declutterathon” at the top of the page you’ll be taken to all of the posts. Happy Decluttering!
I was thinking the same thing
I love when you said “we’re working for progress not perfection.” I’m going to add this to my “Daily Routine” clip boards.
Thanks, Michi! I need to remind myself of that every. single. day. 🙂
I’m an all or nothing kind of girl too but I’m trying to change that and just aim for better. When I’m faced with my own procrastination (I am a master of procrastination!) I am now deciding to just go and do ‘1 thing’ like throw out the empty laundry powder container or the extra powder scoop from the last packet. So that I can at least have made progress. It’s not done. It’s not perfect but it’s better. It’s progress. I can’t beat myself up if I’ve made some progress right? I get to say ‘Yay! It’s better then before’. Yes, I still feel a bit guilty but I don’t feel as bad. And even that one little thing helps, it’s the lots of those little things that add up and make the difference. So I guess what I’m saying is, ‘Hey, why not go and see if there is something you can throw in the trash from your laundry room then you can tell us all that you have made progress!’
I must admit though, I feel better knowing that I’m not the only one who doesn’t get stuff done when she said she would. Thanks for sharing your reality with us so honestly. ‘Perfect’ blogs make me feel like a failure.
My blog and home are definitely not perfect places, unfortunately! 🙂 I love your idea of just doing whatever small task we can. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in trying to complete the whole project that I feel overwhelmed and all progress stops. Thanks, Stella!
I’ve clicked on the Declutterathon heading at the top of the page, and this is the last post I see. Is there somewhere else I should be checking for the remainder of the posts? I would love to see past week 9!
Hi Lindsy,
I’m currently doing the 31 Days of Decluttering series, which would be a great place to pick up where the Declutterathon left off. It’s kind of my way of getting back into the Declutterathon after taking a break. I hope that helps. A lot of those posts are on my home page right now.