Do you remember last week? I was gung-ho about getting the bedrooms and closets cleaned out. Well, that was last week….
I have yet to make it to the girls’ bedrooms. I did, however, get my bedroom and closet decluttered….but not without many tears. There were a few other situations adding to the stress last week and being overwhelmed by all the stuff in my closet did not help!
I needed some motivation, so I found some excellent words in the book From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out: “Women sometimes fall into the clutter trap simply because we can’t cut the emotional ties we have with our things. Sometimes we use clutter to insulate ourselves and give ourselves a sense of security.”
I have this fight within myself — Do I really need this? Why am I keeping this? Am I trying to find security in this? My right-brain self draws creativity and memories from some of the things I have. But then, I want to have space because “space promotes peace” (From Clutter to Clarity, pg. 111).
And I definitely want peace!
Mrs. Twigg goes on to say, “Too much of anything creates imbalance and instability. And Satan loves it when you are off-balance, because then you are vulnerable. As long as you are distracted, you can’t focus on what’s most important. As long as you are emotionally tied to your things, Satan has you right where he wants you–looking to anything and everything but God to fill your needs.”
I don’t want to look to things to fill my needs! But in some ways, that’s what I’ve been doing!
For me, it’s hard to part with things family and friends have given me. They bring back so many memories.
Some items I’ve held onto are silly (like who needs 10 year old socks with holes in them?). I’ve just never taken the time to get rid of them.
But some items were definitely harder to part with.
I did end up keeping a few things that were particularly meaningful to me…but I got rid of more than I kept — so there is some victory in that!
You can see the before and after:
Yes…a little bit of insanity!!
Here’s what I cleaned out:
I got rid of quite a few clothes and shoes I never wear. I decided if I hadn’t worn it in a year, I would get rid of it (except for a few formal dresses — and that long purple dress…my mom made it when I was in college — someday it will be a fun dress-up outfit for the girls)!
I got rid of the CD holder and compiled the CDs I wanted to keep into a much-smaller binder. (CDs are so 90s.) 😉
I have one tub of sewing stuff and one tub of old t-shirts left. I’m hoping to make them into a t-shirt quilt (or save up enough to get it done)! They are one thing I just can’t seem to part with…
Overall, it is much roomier…and feels full of space. It’s actually a strange feeling to have so much space! My old self wants to fill it with stuff…but my new self feels free!!
So, I’m onto the girls’ bedrooms and the kitchen this week!! Is anyone else decluttering out there?!! It’s really challenging for me, but it’s worth it! I can’t wait for our garage sale!
Melissa S says
I am decluttering as well. We are working on a whole house declutter for the month of May. We opened a booth at the Peddler’s Mall a couple of months ago and are selling (recycling) a lot of our unused stuff. It is amazing how good you feel when you acccomplish a section. Good luck!!
Stacie says
Good for you! It’s crazy how much better I’m feeling as we’re going through room-by-room! Hope your booth goes well, too!
Melissa S says
I am decluttering as well. We are working on a whole house declutter for the month of May. We opened a booth at the Peddler’s Mall a couple of months ago and are selling (recycling) a lot of our unused stuff. It is amazing how good you feel when you acccomplish a section. Good luck!!
Stacie says
Good for you! It’s crazy how much better I’m feeling as we’re going through room-by-room! Hope your booth goes well, too!
Jenae {I Can Teach My Child!} says
I need to organize my pantry! We’ve only been here a year and it is ridiculously cluttered. Not only do I keep our food in there, but all of our “art” and learning supplies.
Are you planning to donate the things you’re getting rid of or have a garage sale? I personally find it more beneficial to donate (and document): http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2010/12/clearing-out-christmas-clutter.html
Stacie says
Jenae,
We are doing a garage sale! In Organized Simplicity, she recommends doing a garage sale because of the “pain” associated with it — so you won’t want to do it again!! Maybe that way I won’t accumulate so much clutter! 🙂
Jenae {I Can Teach My Child!} says
I need to organize my pantry! We’ve only been here a year and it is ridiculously cluttered. Not only do I keep our food in there, but all of our “art” and learning supplies.
Are you planning to donate the things you’re getting rid of or have a garage sale? I personally find it more beneficial to donate (and document): http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2010/12/clearing-out-christmas-clutter.html
Stacie says
Jenae,
We are doing a garage sale! In Organized Simplicity, she recommends doing a garage sale because of the “pain” associated with it — so you won’t want to do it again!! Maybe that way I won’t accumulate so much clutter! 🙂
Melissa says
OHHH I LOVE this post!! I have always loved cleaning out and organizing closets, cabinets, drawers and even my Mom’s attic a BILLION times!! As soon as I read this post (and got the baby to sleep) I started digging through the china cabinet that was stuffed full and I already have a table full of stuff to either donate or sell!!
Thanks so much for this post to remind me it was time to CLEAN OUT!!!
Have a great weekend and a great sale!!
Melissa
Stacie says
Thanks so much, Melissa! We had a great sale! Hope you get everything cleaned out, too!
Melissa says
OHHH I LOVE this post!! I have always loved cleaning out and organizing closets, cabinets, drawers and even my Mom’s attic a BILLION times!! As soon as I read this post (and got the baby to sleep) I started digging through the china cabinet that was stuffed full and I already have a table full of stuff to either donate or sell!!
Thanks so much for this post to remind me it was time to CLEAN OUT!!!
Have a great weekend and a great sale!!
Melissa
Stacie says
Thanks so much, Melissa! We had a great sale! Hope you get everything cleaned out, too!