Last year I began setting healthy seasonal goals instead of a year’s worth of resolutions (see my summer and autumn goals). It’s more manageable for me that way. To continue that theme, my goal this winter, and from here on out for that matter, is to make decluttering a regular practice.
I’ve come to realize that the more stuff I have, the more anxiety and chaos I feel. So I’m beginning 2020 by decluttering these 10 areas of my home this season. In this post, I’m also sharing relevant quotes and how I’ll be recycling the things I’m clearing out.
1. Makeup and Nail Polish
“If you don’t love it or use it, it’s clutter.” ~Unknown
I have several bottles of old, dried, unusable nail polish. I mean, I wouldn’t even wear most of the colors anymore. The same goes for makeup and hair products. I’m sending these to TerraCycle.
2. Cleaning Products
“The more things you own, the more they own you.” ~Unknown
I’m not sure how it happens, but my under-the-sink cabinets seem to collect bottles. I’ll consolidate like products and give away the ones I never use.
3. My Closet
I started this in the fall, and last weekend I went in for phase two. I determined to give away, sell, and donate clothes, shoes, coats, bags, and accessories that were unused, uncomfortable, unflattering, or unwanted.
At the same time, I’m doing a major wardrobe edit and starting a list of items to fill in gaps in my wardrobe. I intend to purchase clothing more thoughtfully in the future with a sustainable, core, capsule wardrobe as my long-term goal.
4. Dishware
“In the grand scheme of things, our stuff isn’t all that important.” ~Francine Jay
We have a small family, we don’t host big parties, and we don’t use most of the tableware we have. Our unused dishware will go to Goodwill.
5. Old Electronics
“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly.” ~Nathan W. Morris
Am I the only one that has old remote controls, DVD players, speakers, and other outdated, unused electronics? We moved four years ago, and I have several electronics still stashed in boxes. These will go to a local electronics recycling center.
6. Linens
Unused towels, throws, linens, and pillows are up taking space that I’d rather see clean and clear. I’m donating our old linens to an animal hospital.
7. Stationary and Pens
“The more you have, the more occupied you are. The less you have, the more free you are.” ~Mother Theresa
Not sure why I have probably 200+ pens and pencils, but I definitely don’t need that many. Recycling pens isn’t as easy as you might think. They can’t go in curbside recycling bins, so I’m sending mine to Pen Guy Art to be repurposed into art.
8. Books and Magazines
I have subscriptions to magazines I don’t even read, so I’m cancelling my subscriptions, and I’m donating the magazines to a doctor’s office and unwanted books to the library.
9. Costume Jewelry
“Organized clutter is still clutter. Get rid of it.” ~Unknown
I assume most of us have old jewelry we never use anymore. Many of our styles have evolved over the years. I’ll be donating my unused costume jewelry.
10. Freezer
“Cleaning and organizing is a practice, not a project.” ~Meagan Francis
It’s just time! Anyone else?
If you’re on a similar decluttering journey, let me know what you’re clearing out. If you need to declutter but feel overwhelmed, I encourage you to take it a little at a time. Pick a few easy places to start and tackle those first. If you need more help, the book, The Joy of Less, by Francine Jay, is a lighthearted guide to minimal living that provides encouragement, a plan, and an easy-to-follow method.
As always, thank you for reading, commenting, and for your support! It’s greatly appreciated.
xo, Lisa
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Lisa, you have inspired me to start a de-clutter operation in my home. Not yet though as I’m working more hours this month. I love the feeling order gives me. It will be a major task.
Alison
That makes me so happy, Alison! It works best for me when I have a plan and pace myself. Good luck!
xx, Lisa
Totally on board. My favorite post. Truly helpful
Thank you, Mo! So glad you found it helpful. ❤️
xo, Lisa
Wow! In this list you’ve found my clutter too! Last fall I did make a list of foods in my freezer so that I could refer to it when deciding what to plan for meals, but…shortly afterward I began filling it up again. (At least the meats and such are dated so that the older things don’t keep getting older.) Thank you for your ideas. This is encouragement to go through areas not normally seen as clutter but should, for example, make my linen closet and jewelry armoire less packed.
I think that happens to all of us, and that’s why I’m going to start making decluttering a practice. So glad you found this helpful, Rachel! Appreciate you taking time to comment.
xo, Lisa
I just reorganized and purged my closet. It’s amazing the stuff I had that I hadn’t worn in a long time. I won’t even mention purses. Decluttering is liberating! Great post 😊
You nailed it…decluttering is liberating! Thanks for reading and commenting.
xx, Lisa
We did really good at purging when we moved…except with my clothes. For some reason that’s my downfall.
XOXO
Jodie
You seem to have a handle on the clothes, so keep doing what works!
xoxo, Lisa
Not sure whether to laugh or cry about that comment, “Look around. All that clutter used to be money.”… We have been trying to make one pot meals so that we can actually use a couple of heirloom pots that were passed down to me (instead of just storing them). One sits in a very fancy silver encasement. This blog post hit close to home. I enjoy your blogs so much, Lisa.
I know what you mean, Suzana, and thank you so much for your constant encouragement! 🙏
xo, Lisa
Lisa, I like to go through drawers, closets etc regularly so this was really interesting to me. I liked your comment “organized clutter”. John got into this after Christmas when I suggested he go through his sock drawer because he got new socks for Christmas. Next thing I knew he went through his entire closet. Couldn’t believe it. Ha. Thanks for your good tips and encouragement to declutter.
Aunt Verla
I’m at that point, too, where I’m cleaning out regularly.It’s such a GREAT feeling! Appreciate your comment 🙂
xoxo, Lisa
It is a good list. We’ve been cleaning out our basement and it is almost depressing to see all the remotes, old dvd players, old “stuff” that we probably didn’t need in the first place. But I’m determined to pare down, thanks for the motivation.
I’m with you, Melissa! Glad you found it useful and motivating! 🙂
xo, Lisa
What a timely post. I am decluttering, slowly but surely! What is it with that black hole under the sink? I have milk jugs growing under mine.
Love the quotes. And how thought provoking to look at all of this stuff as money. Imagine?!
Have tabs open for the pen guy and nail polish folks. I have way too many pens and bottle of polish. Thanks for the links for places to send each.
Strange how things seem to magically multiply under the sink!! So glad you found these ideas helpful, Leslie.
Lisa 🙂