January focus: PURGE

My focus for January is Purge. Not only is this sparked by the holiday hustle and busyness but it is because Andrew and all his stuff will be moving in, in 10 months (AHH). What better time to purge than in January no major holiday's stuck inside because of the cold (however, I was in shorts the day after Christmas, not sure how that worked this year) and looking for something to do. Well this year I am making a serious effort to making this purging happen. Little by little things are being gone through. I started prior to January because I wanted a jump start and had a a few days off. I found this really neat 30 day declutter challenge on Pinterest, from PopSugar. Check it out here. I printed it off and off I went.

To jump start things. My fridge was first. It was not that messy because of the holiday's we had to go to everyone's house and so it was a few things to throw out, wash, and clean up. I did not go through the freezer because I did that recently and it was actually still pretty neat and clean, (Surprise, Surprise). I need to do another pantry clean out but that is part of the challenge later this month.

So the Fridge was quickly checked off then we moved on the clothes and more clothes. Andrew and I like to accrue clothes and what better time to go through them when you get to restock your wardrobe after Christmas. I am not going to lie. I scored big at Goodwill for Andrew this Christmas and that is where the majority of his presents came from, and it fell within budget, (win, win).

So day one we tackled my closet before putting up Christmas. If I had not worn it in the year or just don't like the way it fit out it went. A full Rubbermaid container and three pairs of shoes were instantly gone. I did go back through to fold everything in the box a little neater but resisted pulling anything out but one shirt which was in there because I did not like the sleeves. That evening the box went away to the living room which I will file away for the yard-sale we are having this spring. That evening I sat down to watch a movie and fixed the shirt I had pulled out and it is back in the closet. Then put up all my Christmas clothes, now the house is a little cleaner.

The next day we went to Andrew's house and did the same to his closet. He had already started a trash bag full of clothes so we did not do to much other than t-shirts, and gym shorts and put up his stuff. Didn't take long. So now that is taken care of at both houses! YAHOO!

Now it is filtering through the holiday decorations as I put them away, and working on the other items on the list.

DECLUTTER it is good for the soul. If you are like me initially and this may be hard for you. Set up three boxes in your room when you go through your closet.

KEEP, 

GIVE AWAY, 

and 

THINK ABOUT, 

I have made cute labels before but you don't have to do that. As you pull out EACH piece from your closet put it instantly in a pile, don't think about it, don't pause to try it on.

As the give away box gets full have a friend or family member put the stuff in a trash bag to get it out of site if you go back through it you are more likely to take something back out. Do this with each piece. Once everything is out, put all your keep back in the closet. stick to a 1 keep for 2 give away rule if you are really trying to pair down or a total number of items (for instance, 50, or 100 items total in your closet). This really helps. You will find stuff that doesn't belong in your closet, put that in a box and deal with it later, now is not the time, you are purging people.

Then pull out your think about pile. The first process may take a full day if you are really purging that is OK. Don't rush it or it will all go back in your closet and you will not be happy. For the think about same rule on the numbers go through again really quick and separate to another think about and the give away pile. This will get rid of more items. Then go through the pieces try them on if you need to and make your decision. If you are emotionally attached to the shirt that shrunk from 20 years ago re-purpose it, get a t-shirt quilt made or give it to someone that will enjoy it as much as you did. Then package up and donate to a charity, save for a yard-sale or give to someone else. If you had a really hard time sorting donate to a charity to resist the urge to go back and pull things out when you open the bags for a yard-sale.

less stuff laying around = less stress! 

I hope this helps.

 More updates on purging pictures soon.