Perhaps this is a post more suited to the spring months but over the last few weeks I have been firmly cemented in a ‘clearing out the clutter’ mode. I am notoriously messy (I like to think it’s because I’m creative rather than lazy) and every so often blitz the whole house on a decluttering mission.
Maybe it’s because there are a few things going on in my life that I feel I have little control over so making sure all my cupboards are in order is my own way of staying in the driving seat.
Anyway, whatever the reason my kitchen cupboards are gleaming and my wardrobe has had a good old clear-out. Here are five ways I’m dealing with the disorder.
Mini tasks in short bursts
My main kitchen cupboard or ‘pantry’ as we like to call it actually took three evenings to sort out. I haven’t gone on a crazy deep-clean mission it’s just that I approached each shelf area as a separate entity. Over three consecutive evenings, while dinner was bubbling away on the hot plate, I got to work on one shelf. Each one only took me about fifteen minutes to sort through, clean down and rearrange. Who’d have thought arranging herbs and spices (and throwing away paprika from 2007) could give such a feeling of fulfilment?
Would I really buy it now?
For a long time I’ve worked on the ‘have I worn it in the last six months’ principle but this doesn’t really work for me given our changeable seasons and there are some items I keep hold of because I love them even if I don’t always have an occasion to wear them to. Instead I’m operating on a ‘would I buy it now?’ policy. I’ve pulled nearly everything out of my wardrobe and asked myself if I would really buy it again now. Now I have about three things left in my closet…
I can’t imagine I’m alone in finding that the majority of stuff that gets crammed in to a charity shop bag were sale purchases only bought because they were reduced.
Finish the task in hand
In my last purge the inevitable bin bags hung around for ages, constantly reminding me there was another job to do. I probably had some form of separation anxiety. There really might be a need to keep hold of those pedal pushers. What would I do if I was invited to a Grease themed fancy dress?
I’m pleased to say I haven’t done the same this time round. All my old wares were whisked away within hours and are now hanging on the rails in a local charity shop rather than heaped in a pile in the spare room.
Leave the baskets and containers in the shop
In the past I’ve gone and bought storage items before I’ve actually made room for them. I was feeling very organised when I ordered a load of kraft magazine files in the Hobbycraft sale recently, only to find that they didn’t fit in my cupboard. Now they’re on the floor of my office cluttering up the space doing exactly what I intended them not to do.
This time round I’ve rearranged and relocated everything before I’ve splashed out on new baskets.
Rethink the cupboard space
I realise I am very lucky to have ample storage space but if I’m honest I don’t use it effectively. My next job is to rethink some of the storage in my dining room. I currently have glasses in three different places. This makes no sense at all and makes it very tricky to track down a tumbler for a G&T (#firstworldproblems). The cupboard under the stairs is basically filled with complete rubbish that we haven’t used for three years whilst our hoover is hanging around without a place to live. Not after this weekend people. Everything will have it’s own little home. (Unless the sun decides to shine again, then I’ll be in the garden obviously).
How do you deal with decluttering? Do you find it therapeutic too? How often do you do it and what are your top tips for clearing the clutter?
Ooh I love a good clear out Lauren! I feel so much lighter and unburdened after I’ve had one. I’m best at clearing out out paperwork and getting current paperwork in order. Worst at clearing out my wardrobe. I constantly change my mind over whether to throw things out and then end up thinking ‘but it might come in handy’. One thing I try to do here and there is clear out my old underwear as I’m always buying new and there’s really only so many prs of pants a girl can wear. That said, I still seem to have a ridiculous amt, sometimes I feel guilty for getting rid of things.
Having moved house a number of times I’ve found that it’s great way to clear out old things, you’re generally more ruthless when deciding whether to take things with you to a new abode.
You’re so right Krysia, I think you re more far more ruthless before a house move. When I moved last I had such a good clearout. It was great moving to a new pad knowing I had just my most favourite and treasured posession. Three years later and I’m being overtaken by tat!
What a motivational post to read as I face another day of the long six week summer holiday
Hope you’re not trying to make us jealous Rebecca 😉 x
I tend to just find myself in the middle of an epic clear out…it just happens! I never plan these things but one random Sunday afternoon you’ll find me throwing out, sorting out and cleaning while still in my pjs and my hair a mess!
I’m good at sorting the kitchen and bathroom – so easy to throw away those old packets of paprika and 1/4 full old bottles of shampoo ;p Worst at clearing out my clothes drawers – be it pants, pjs, tops etc. I have quite a lot of long sleeve tops, and what girls doesn’t need an abundance of these?!? This is something I really need to tackle as currently my dresser is bulging at the seams, and there is a pile of pjs on the floor…because there is NO WHERE else to put them…what a ridiculous problem to have!
Ha ha! I’m with you on the PJ problem Annie; they’re not real clothes but not underwear either. Where’s the best place to put them?!
Ahh I LOVE having a proper clearout!! Sounds like you’ve been busy Lauren :p It always feels like you can think better when you know everything is decluttered and definitely more relaxed!
We’re living with my parents at the moment so we only really have one room to keep clear and decluttered but, when my husband moved all his stuff over we discovered he actually has about 10 times as many clothes as I do haha! There’s been bags of clothes sitting in our room for months as there was just nowhere to store them, but I finally worked up the courage to tackle them on Monday and with my clothes did the ‘Do I really love this or did I just buy it because it was a Bargain?’ It was quite brutal in the end! We’ve managed to squeeze everything else into our tiny wardrobe and just washed everything down, it all feels so much fresher and lovely! Will definitely need doing again in a few months though haha :p xxx
Yey for the clothes-clearing mission!
I’m trying to imagine that I will forever be clutter free but in reality you are completely right. It will need tackling again in a few months 🙂
As you well know, I can’t stand clutter. It doesn’t feature in my genetic make up and puts me all of a tizz. However living with a man who would happily hoard every single tiny thing, including receipts from 1999, I find we are in a constant battle as to what to chuck and what to keep. I’ve been accused of lacking sentimentality and perhaps he’s right but where’s the line???!! Xx
I was reading the other day about people who take digital pictures of their possessions before they throw them away just so they can recall them if they need to. Perhaps this may work for him too? Apparently it’s great for teachers and all the end of term ‘gifts’ they receive that might not be quite right for display in one’s home….
Ha! My fiancé has a receipt hoarding obsession, too. Apparently, “you’ve got to keep them for six years”. This seems to apply to all receipts. It drives me mad!
I am constantly fighting a losing battle with clutter. After recently getting married I cleared out the spare room and my wardrobe (fresh start and all that jazz) but just seven weeks later my hard work is unnoticeable! I think I am slightly in denial of being a hoarder (I get it from my Grandma) and keep thinking of if only I had a better wardrobe with better storage sections, if only I lost some weight and could fit in the smaller sized clothes hiding in my suitcase… But despite all of this I hate mess! How can keeping a harmonious home be so bloomin’ difficult?!
Claire, I am such a hoarder. I keep EVERYTHING! I’m sure your spare room would be a million times worse if you hadn’t got to work on it seven weeks ago and hopefully it would only take a quick run-round to restore it to its former glory 🙂
I think I want to come round and help : ) x
Lindsay I would love that! Also I think you need to share your tips with us on how to keep a home immaculate! x
Oh thank God it’s not just me with the 2007 paprika!
We’re moving out of our house in two weeks and the loft is filling me with unimaginable dread!! Loved reading this, and still coveting your wallpaper xxx
I feel your pain on the loft. It always takes forever as you find bits and pieces you’d forgotten about – have a little trip down memory lane and then put them all back in a box again to do the same again five years later. Just get the bags out and bin it all! It’s in the loft for a reason! (I’ve never been able to do this though).
Good luck with the move my lovely x
haha so brutal!!
You’re right though. I’m never ever ever going to fit into my gold size 8 skinny jeans EVER AGAIN. How absolutely depressing xxx
You should keep the gold jeans though as quite frankly they sound amazing.
My mum thinks I’m ruthless and heartless because I can have a regualr 6 month clear out of clothes and clutter but that could stem from growing up in a house full of ‘stuff” where a regular phrase was ‘don’t throw it out, it might come in for something’. We’ve been in our house for 2 and a half years now so we’re in the process of a major de-clutter, storage re-vamp, decorate and spruce up, apart from when the sun is shining and it’s so cathartic
Claire you are amazing! Agree how therapeutic and cathartic it can be.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I tell James that I can’t throw something away ‘because I might need it for a shoot’. I’m not really sure how I think my bedroom contents circa 1998 would really be appropriate for an RMS photo shoot but I can’t seem to let it go.
Do you charge by the hour? Please come to Liverpool IMMEDIATELY! xxx
You have no idea how much I would enjoy clearing up someones clutter, the sense of achievement…hmmm maybe a business venture for me…lol
What a motivating post. I am so glad I decided to catch up on RMS over breakfast. I’m now ready to declutter my wardrobes and drawers, and I will definitely be asking myself the question ‘Would I buy it now?’ Instead of contemplating ‘What if I throw away the double denim flared catsuit and then someone has a 60’s themed party?’ – I kid you not!
Thanks Lauren.