While cleaning out my grandparents house to put it on the market, I had an epiphany. All the items from furniture to collectibles to clothes were either being donated, sold or tossed into a dumpster. I suddenly realized that it never mattered what my grandparents owned and a lot of things they did own, were forgotten about, stowed away or never used. You don't take these items when you pass on and to be honest, it's more of a hassle when you do pass on to have some one get rid of them for you. (not to be morbid, but that's true). Fine china, lenox sets, silver, all forgotten in a cabinet.
No one once said, wow, because of all these nice things they had great lives! What was talked about was their trip to Ireland, old photos of the family, journals and writings. Things in the true spirit of my family.
This is not my first rodeo doing a big clean out like this. However, it triggered me to do the same to my house. Later that week, I went through EVERYTHING! Clothes, closets, stuff in the shed, holiday decor, etc. My house was cleaned out and I felt good about it. I only kept things that were used within the past year. My life was simpler. I don't care what I own, while I like to have nice things that will last me, it doesn't matter unless I use it.
Yikes! Hopefully my house will never look like this! (courtesy of the UK Telegraph)
I found space in my house that I didn't know existed, somethings were re-purposed, others were donated and while others were disposed of. It felt good to do all that and de-clutter my life.
This, of course, does not mean go out and buy stuff to fill empty spaces. For me, simpler is better. Generally, I do one big clean out a year for clothes, but nothing else. I think from now on, I'd like to do a clean out once a year for everything. Below are some tips to help you out in cleaning out your life:
-Shred papers you don't need! In a paperless society, we are still drowning in paper! Use a cross cut shredder to reduce identity theft. Not sure what to shred and when? Use this guide to help!
-Go through all clothes, including winter gear and shoes. Donate what you're no longer using or use one of my favorite methods, go to a clothing swap and swap for other clothes!
-Having a hard time deciding what to donate and what to keep? Have you worn it in the past year? Does it fit? If these questions are "no" move it along to a new home.
-Decor changes like fashion, if you're keeping stuff around from the 70s and perhaps it just doesn't get used, move it along.
-Time to hit the fridge and pantry. Wow, there's a ton of condiments in the fridge! Time to check the expiration dates and if I even use them. Off to the trash or compost heap! If there's a lot of non-perishable items that I'm not using, I will clear these out as well and bring them to the local food pantry.
-Junk Drawer, this is my most hated thing in my house, which is why I don't have one. But clean it out, you never know what you will find!
-Make up and body care. Yes these things do expire. Is your mascara really old? Do you have 47 samples from a birchbox subscription. If you have a use, put it aside, if not, toss it!
Here's some other helpful articles below:
From Becoming Minimalist
From The Daily Green
From Real Simple
Well that's a start! I promise you once you do this, you'll feel so much better! Share some more of your tips for a clean out below!
*Kate
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