Declutter Day 15

Linen Closet

In the spirit of linen closet day, the bed gets fresh sheets. I only keep one extra set of sheets in each bedroom. And most of the time, they get washed and put back on the bed. Nobody wants to fold sheets.

When there’s no linen closet, you have to dig in and get creative for storage solutions (thank you Pinterest) . This idea was indeed on Pinterest and saved until we repainted and were ready to put up shelves. It’s a great solution for my cricket-y organizing style - I prefer things detailed and also out of sight.

Guest bathroom towels are all out and hanging on hooks. Wash and reuse. Easy peasy.

Now, the towels in the garage… that’s another story for another declutter blog on another day.

WC doubles as a linen closet (or does my linen closet double as a WC?) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Love love love hooks! When we repainted this bathroom, couldn't bring myself to drill holes in the wall to install towel bars. 

I know... grey towels, brown bathroom. Needs painted... will likely go with a steely gray like the main bathroom. Also, this is the color that Costco had that day. Best price for great quality.

And when this bathroom gets fresh paint: less towel bars, more hooks!!

Declutter Day 14

Hair Tools & Jewelry

Some more overlap today, but we are going in one more time with that critical eye.

Recently I got a new hairdryer, so I relocated the old one up to a guest bathroom. Nice to have that big awkward thing out of the way; new hairdryer is nice and compact.

I’m pretty simple when it comes to my hair: just some elastic ponytail ties and a couple of big clips to sweep it up in the back. There we go, done inside the 5 minutes today. Woohoo!

Hairdryer, brush, straightener... in the back is a surge protector for easy plug-in

Sweet Lucy... because she's just so cute, and she follows me all over helping me declutter

Declutter Day 13

Bathroom Cabinets

There is some overlap here in the bathroom… so I’ve already sorted out the bins in the sink cabinet, but, it won’t hurt to have one more 5 minute look with a realistic, critical eye.

Well, would you look at that… hair product, lotions, and all those hotel samples that hide in the back of the cabinet.

Wow, that feels good to unemotionally toss all of these things that I didn’t even realize were lurking in the way back.

Gotta remember to pull out the stuff from the way back now and again

See ya, back of the cabinet stuff.

Declutter Day 12

Face Creams & Make-up

Cass’s kryptonite: “I’m always looking for that magical product that’s going to fix my face, and I’ve yet to fine it, so I just collect and collect.”

My kryptonite might be bras... it feels like a lifelong pursuit of the perfect bra. Spoiler: it doesn’t exist. And bras are expensive. So, “this one will have to do” is my current philosophy.

What’s your kryptonite? What is the thing that you know can be better, but you just haven’t found it yet: “This is the one that will change my life!”

So, without taking everything out, set a 5 minute timer and open that drawer or empty that make-up box:

“Would I buy this again?”

“Do I use this daily, weekly, monthly?”

Check out my Tupperware make-up box… I’ve had it since high school, maybe junior high - definitely early 80s vintage. It has limited capacity, and that’s okay, since I do not wear much make-up. Time to empty it out and run it thru the dishwasher.

Okay, y’all, 13 things just left my make-up box and some lipsticks out of the drawer. Samples, wrong shades, downright icky because it’s so old.

Sending you positive declutter vibes!

Tupperware lasts forever!  

Declutter Day 11

Medicine & First Aid

Well, I thought my medicine and first aid was sorted out… I was wrong.

First aid is actually current and neat in a bathroom cabinet drawer.

But right under my nose in a kitchen cabinet, there was a whole bin of used injections (monthly migraine prevent), empty bottles, and old meds that had been changed or removed from Mom’s regimen.

It emptied out half of that cabinet! I mean, it’s a small cabinet to be sure, but good grief. I just hadn’t realized how much had collected.

So, thanks Cass! I’m reclaiming this cabinet!

Vitamins, bandaids, and other misc medicine and first aid live in the bathroom.

Expired covid tests, empty bottles, used injections to send off to the fire station with SIL.

Look at those empty bins! Not going to be in a hurry to fill up this cabinet.

Declutter Day 10

Bedside Tables

Marie Kondo says, “Ideally, keep less than 30 books.”

Pretty sure I’ve had that many on my nightstand. And at least that many on my “to read next” list.

Thankfully, day 10 is about bedside tables and not books.

Up until a few months ago, we did not have nightstands. And Oh. My. Goodness! I do love having a nightstand: to set my phone to charge overnight, and my iPad that I was reading to fall asleep, and a book that I’m in the middle of that I might need in the middle of the night (need? really?), and, and, and.

So, it won’t be a surprise to know that the things in my nightstand drawer are all the things I need when reading a book - pens, highlighters, post-it flags, note cards. It’s a shallow drawer, so blessedly, not a great abyss where things get stashed and forgotten.

And there is also a bedside table in the guest room… and check it out: both drawers are completely empty. Now that I’ve finally tossed that yellow pages from who knows when.

(just realized that remote goes to a clock that we no longer use... by the time this posts, it will be outta there)

empty drawers... what?!?!?!?!

Declutter Day 9

Dresser Drawers

T-shirts. It’s a love/hate relationship with these guys.

The only clothing I keep in dresser drawers: t-shirts. I really love the idea of a good t-shirt, but the reality is that I don’t like wearing t-shirts. Something thing about the feel of it on my neck. Can’t do it.

But, every church event, school event, sport event, every event… yep, there’s a t-shirt to commemorate the event. If there’s not a t-shirt, did it even happen?

Both of my girls have a t-shirt quilt from all of the events. Sissy’s quilt is king size, and front and back - she had that many t-shirts from that many events. Sassy’s quilt is queen size and single sided, but she was still in college when we had them made, so we decided to to save off of her University shirts for a whole separate quilt. Yep, it’s a lot of shirts. We’ve done a lot of events.

So, I’m keeping only the most current sports team t-shirts and church event shirts. And letting the blood donor shirts go. They are really cute… maybe they will go in the quilt?

Keeper t-shirts

Keeping a few warm & fuzzy jammies - might wear them during the one snow fall or ice storm we might have this winter. 

Those t-shirts represent a lot of blood drives... pretty sure I'll relocate those to the t-shirt quilt bag.

Declutter Day 8

Purse & Book Bags

Oh, I do love purses and book bags.. now, having said that, let’s get real. How may do we really need? I can only carry one purse and one book bag at a time - if I need more than that, I take the rolling cart.

And I’m not one to change my handbag or pocketbook (terms I learned working in a fancy boutique in a fancy part of town) with every outfit. So, I really, really don’t need a bunch of handbags and pocketbooks.

Recently, in the absence of a coat closet, I decided to make use of the space behind the bedroom door to hold the jackets and purses when they aren’t in use. So, I’ve tried really hard to limit myself to just the purses and coats that fit in this space.

So, in keeping with Cas’s 5 minute limit, I found a couple of Vera Bradley bags that I’ve been using for makeup travel bags, some tissues and old chapsticks, and a couple of wallets that are not working for me. Into the donation bin they go! (well, not the tissues and chapstick… ew!)

Donate bin

Behind the door storage: coats & handbags

Current purse and satchel park here.

I don't carry this denim bag regularly, but I have a thing for denim so I cannot declutter it (is denim a genX thing?), so this is my grab-n-go diaper bag for errands with MD. 

Declutter Day 7

Underwear & Sock Drawer

Most of my socks and undies are in the main closet, so only one narrow dresser of socks for me.

We live in the deep south, so I do NOT wear socks during the summer. Maybe when I’m wearing sneakers, (which I should wear more often on walks at at the gym), but I’m in a barefoot and sandal season of life. And have been for a couple of decade now. It is what it is.

So, I’m going to ride this declutter day out, see what socks I wear during this coming fall and winter, and do a ruthless clean out next spring.

In her email today, Cass said, “YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR STAINED UNDERWEAR AND BRAS THAT POKE YOU.” And “You deserve better and it’s time to stop letting your undergarments disrespect you!”

I cannot say it better than Cass. So, toss those disrespectful undies in the trash!

Declutter Day 6

Bedroom Closet

A couple of years ago, we reno’d our bathroom & closet. Completely emptied it, repaired the walls from the old fixtures, painted it the whitest white we could find, and installed Elfa custom closet. The Container Store folks were very helpful to generate a plan based on our dimensions. After watching the Container Store videos and a few more helpful videos on YouTube, we installed ourselves. Once we got the hang of it (pun intended), it was a fairly easy install. Very pleased with the results.

The point of that story: when your closet (or whatever space) is organized to your style and level of functionality, it’s so much easier to maintain.

So, we keep a donate bag in a hamper with a clipboard and pen in the closet so that we can drop in and document items that need to move on out.

Upstairs closets - whole different story. More about these in October, but my plan is to completely empty both closets, paint them, and reload with only what is necessary overflow and storage.

His side: he was born organized, I think. That's all I have to say about that. 

Her side: it's a bit crazier, a bit fuller, but it's functionally organized and I can find what I want. 

The donate bucket. When it's full, out it goes. 

Declutter Day 5

Cleaning Supplies

Once again, not a whole lot of decluttering today for me. If only cleaning products had expiration dates and I could toss them guilt-free. Instead, it feels wasteful if I don’t keep them and use them up.

So, I combined a few products and tossed some dried out Clorox wipes.

Curious: do you keep one cleaning bucket that you carry around the house? Or do you keep a stash of everything in each bathroom?

For awhile now, I’ve kept a bottle of everything in every bathroom, the kitchen, laundry, and garage. I will never clean all of the bathrooms on the same day, no matter how I plan. It feels like overkill to have so much cleaner scattered around the house, but this is what works for me right now.

Lucy inspecting the kitchen cleaning supplies

Newly configured laundry room and newly constructed built-in shelves, extra deep for back-stock

See you tomorrow in the bedroom closet.

Declutter Day 4

Kitchen: Pantry

The pantry is such an excellent catch-all. And for it’s only being 5’ deep and 3’ wide, my pantry is excellent at being an excellent catch-all. If I don’t stay on it regularly, it is almost impossible to see into the back.

So, between the lazy susans and the side wall narrow shelves, I’m able to see most of what’s in my pantry at all times. Otherwise, if it’s out of my sight, it’s out of my mind.

There will be more to declutter on another day. But for now, I'm satisfied to be able to step inside to reach to the back. 

Amazing when you take a close look at expiration dates, you realize how very long something has been tucked in and overlooked.

Tomorrow… Cleaning Supplies

Declutter Day 3

Kitchen: Fridge

Before our August vacation, I cleaned out the fridge and freezer, so it’s already at a minimum in there.

Today, I’m going in with an eye for expiration dates, and also to see what can be consolidated.

This was a light trash day, but I’ve made myself a note to do this again in a few weeks before we go to the beach.

Here’s to an easy declutter day… I’m sure the balance will shift in the other direction another day (looking at you, books).

Declutter Day 2

Day 2 is “Kitchen Counters & Surfaces” so naturally I improvised a bit and attacked the tops of my cabinets and my pottery cabinet.

It’s amazing how these surfaces can attract so much clutter. They are not cleared off completely, but I did remove several things that are no longer working in these spaces. So out the door they go!

I’d love to hear about your decluttering adventure. Send me a note and tell me your progress or let me know how I can help.

Declutter Day 1

Front Entry & Coat Closet

I don’t actually have a coat closet (I don’t have linen closet, but that’s a different blog). So, into the front/guest bedroom closet we go. And while we’re in there, we are going to tackle the bookshelves that are in that room a well. Since it is an guest bedroom and we do have guests stay now and again, I try to keep it from being a stuff collector. So, today I’m just pulling out a couple of tablecloths and some obsolete vacuum attachments. And a set of sheets that are extra. Oh, and this adorable pet carrier that was the totally wrong sort of carrier for a kitten who had no intention of going to the vet. She was out of this contraption in a skinny second.

What’s left in this mostly empty closet is the Kirby and her accessories (we have had her longer than we have had children; she deserves her own space), and the remaining tablecloths we use on holidays.

Keep on decluttering, Friends! See you on Day 2…

How To Get Organized FAST

Sorry, it's not what you think.

The other day, a school teacher friend of mine told a story about teaching her students multiplication. As they were learning, she gave them written tests to see how many problems they could answer in a certain amount of time.

Remember those timed tests? I sure do - that's been a lot of years since 2nd grade - ugh.

She said this one little guy just wanted to answer as many problems as he could and finish the test before time ran out. He would miss many more than he answered correctly, sometimes just writing down a mark rather than an answer, just to beat that clock.

She explained to him, "You have to know how to do something well before you can do it fast."

How profound.

When I am frustrated that it's taking "too long" to work through a process that's not familiar, learn a new skill, or incorporate a new habit, doing the thing FAST has to take a back seat to learning to doing the thing RIGHT, to master the thing, no matter how slowly and/or painstakingly.

Organizing is the same way.

Before I can sort and plan FAST, I have to learn to sort and plan WELL.

 Before I can reorganize a cupboard or pantry or closet, I have to learn how to declutter, plan my zones, and organize in a way that makes sense to me as I use that cupboard or pantry or closest to accomplish a goal (cook a meal, pull together an outfit).

 Before I can do a 5 minute pick up to wind down the day, my stuff has to be already organized in a logical (to me) way that picking up doesn't require 25 minutes, or 45 minutes, or half a day.

 Side note: that logical (to me) way may not be logical (to you). You and I likely have a completely different organizing style. (That's a whole other conversation that I want to have with you. Call me and we will have a lovely chat about that; I would love to help you figure out your organizing style.)

So today, I'm going to keep reminding myself, "I have to know how to do something well before I can do it fast."

We may be a long way from timed times table tests (yay for alliteration!) and the other lessons we learned in the 2nd grade (ah-hem: cursive handwriting), but learning and knowing multiplication and other repetitive tasks serves us for our whole lives.

Are you ready to tackle a decluttering or organizing project? Reach out and let's chat about how we can get started.

I’m ready to get organized, where do I start?

Where do I start? So often we start in the kitchen or pantry, because, well, it’s a hot mess. And also, those are the spaces that people see. My hand is raised on this one. When I’m feeling overwhelmed and cluttered, I start tossing anything that’s past it’s expiration date.

My advice: start in your personal spaces. Your closet, your bathroom, your bedroom, your personal bags (purse, backpack). No, it doesn't get the oooos and ahhhhhs that you might want, but also, no one will mess it up before tomorrow, or sooner.

Reach out if you need a hand getting started. I’d love to have a conversation about what the process could look like for you, and how good it will feel to have an organized space and a calm home.

Take the Before Picture

Our friends are traveling to Europe to visit their daughter and family. Because shipping is crazy expensive, they are taking a bunch of stuff to her that they have been saving up for this trip. 

Going into the fall/winter season, she is taking sweaters and jackets, school supplies and slippers. It was all sitting next to the suitcase she had intended to pack it in, but just had not yet had a chance to get it packed.  

So, I offered to have a go at packing it all into that suitcase, and DadGum, I wish I had taken the Before picture. The After picture is so deceiving. You cannot tell at all that there might be a hundred things in there. Maybe she will take an After It’s Unpacked picture for me.

I do like a good game of Tetris…

Bless Your Heart

You know, they say that 1 out of 1 of us will die. When I hear that, I think, "When I'm gone, someone will go through all of my stuff." It all stays behind, you know. So, If that were the case tomorrow, do I care that someone will open a drawer and say, "Bless her heart," when they see all of the saved notepads and address labels from St. Jude? Will they find drawers full of pretty cloth napkins and placemats that have never been used? Scented candles unburned? Plastic bags carefully folded and tucked away? Jars and jars and jars for days? And books; good heavens, the books.

 To be clear, my motivation for decluttering and having less stuff is not, "Someone will someday go through my stuff and what will they think of me?" but rather, "Am I enjoying all the things I have right now? Am I enjoying my family and friends in this moment right now?"

And also: "If I choose today to live with less, what might that free me up to do tomorrow?" Coming out from under the mental obligation of stuff that is waiting for "some day," frees me up to find something new to do, someone new to help, something new to read. And those new things give me something new to experience, someone new to enjoy, and a book to share (or return to the library for the next gal to borrow).

So, what's my Call To Action? Today, I'm going to fill a box with books (that I know good and well I won't read), remove some of that costume jewelry (that I know good and well I won't go looking for when I'm in a rush to get out the door), and toss a few more clothes into the donate bin (that I know good and well I won't wear even when I do lose those extra pounds).

Stuff Shifting

Stuff shifting.

Can you guess what I've been doing all week? On the surface, that's all it feels like I've accomplished. But if we go below the surface…

It all started with shifting stuff around the garage to make a better walkway to the kitchen door. It was a thousand degrees, or so it feels in Memphis these days. And we were in a sweat by the time the storm arrived. To be fair, a few things were thrown away, given away, moved to the thrift pile. That felt like a win.

We accomplished the stated goal of making the path to the door more clear, but took two steps backwards by making the exit from both vehicles in the garage a bit more challenging. So, that felt like a fail.

And then a week of hosting family, severe weather, 4-day power outage, and the subsequent stuff shifting all over town, cooking dinner in two kitchens not my own, and sleeping in a bed not my own, two cold showers at home, two warm showers away from home, and THEN the blessing of cleaning out my own refrigerators and freezers… whew! It's been a week!

A good week, to be clear. We laughed, we visited, mani/pedis, salon visits, lunches out, good conversations, good home improvement TV binges. It's been a good week. Celebrated an anniversary, a birthday, and American Independence with fireworks, friends, food, so many fun conversations, and so much laughter.

Now, 7 days later, I'm doing the ultimate stuff shift: LAUNDRY. Schlepping the clothes from the bedroom to the laundry room, from the washer to the dryer, back to the bedroom to sort and fold and put away.

Feels good to look back on the week, the highlights, the setbacks, the victories.

It's a blessing that we do not know what a day might bring. I might have crawled under the bed in the dark for a week and missed out on the gifts and goodness the Lord had in store for us all. Neighbors and friends checking on one another. Meals planned, executed, and enjoyed. Grace given and received when it was needed most.

And now my introverted self is going to enjoy a quiet day to recover from a very extroverted, social week.  

Time to reboot the laundry…

July 2, 2023