Spring is a time for cleaning and organizing! Making sure your home is clutter-free and organized may seem like a drag, but when you follow these quick an easy tricks to tidy up your home, cleaning can make you feel productive and happy. I love the base line of the KonMari method but I kind of need things a little bit more simplified to actually get me to do them. Full disclosure… I have to admit that I do keep some things that don’t necessarily bring me joy. I judge more on the usefulness of the item more so than the joy of it. Oh… then on the subject of books… my family is addicted to them so they mostly stay… we always will find room for them. You never know when you might need them for reference or you might want to read them again! I personally feel joy just looking at them! So… If you are like me and you don’t want to follow exacting rules (I still fold like my Mother taught me : ) ..why not try these tips to help you get organized. I am sure you will come up with tons of ideas of your own along your journey. Just try to see the whole process through… you will be so glad you did.
Keep the clothes that fit.
When I look in my closet, I have some clothes from heavier (and lighter) stages in my life. Go through your clothing and only keep what fits. If you change sizes in the future, thrift or buy some new outfits to fit your current size…you deserve it. Keeping multiple sizes of clothing not only promotes clutter, it also can cause you to be depressed when you can’t fit into your “skinny” clothes. Own your body, enjoy the cute clothes that fit, and declutter by keeping only what you can wear. Not sure if something is worth keeping? Hang your hangers backwards. Once you wear an item and hang it back up, turn the hangers forward. Any clothes on hangers still turned around after three months can be donated since you are no longer wearing the clothes. I have to confess… I have some things that I have not worn in years and they have all been donated now. It’s very liberating and it does your heart good to know that they are being used by people that really need a helping hand.
Digitize paperwork and art.
If you have a scanner, you can get rid of your old school file cabinets, folders, and piles of paper. Scan receipts, documents, and even drawings and school work from your children (you always want to keep a special box for each kid though… I know that is against the decluttering mantra… but there is something about being able to look at those adorable little drawings and projects : ). Financial paperwork, manuals, and other documents can be password protected and stored on Google Drive or Dropbox. Another fabulous idea to display your kids’ creations is to try a service like Shutterfly to make an art book of their beautiful works… it’s so awesome and the kids will be so proud! Keeping your office and other areas paperwork free can go a long way to tidying your home!
Find a lid for every container.
Whether it’s a tupperware container missing its lid or a sock who’s lost its mate, it’s time to let missing items go. This may mean that you have to purchase a few new containers or socks, for example, but finding a place for the odds and ends can just mean clutter. Instead, store each lid and container together and wash and dry socks in a lingerie bag to make sure mates always stick with their partners.
Use furniture for storage.
Find an ottoman that opens, a coffee table with storage, or a bed frame that doubles as a dresser. Keeping the clutter, blankets, and clothing hidden inside furniture that complements the decor of your home will make your abode tidier.
Clean out the Pantry.
The Pantry is one of the areas that is a bit easier to combat.
1. Clean one shelf at a time
2. Throw away all expired items
3. Removed items that you are not going to use and if they are not expired… donate to the Food Pantry.
4. Make sure that all your items are properly sealed such as flour… if it is opened… be sure it is placed in
an air tight container.
5. Label your containers.
6. Maybe organized snacks in baskets with labels on them.
7. Wash your shelving down.
8. Arrange all of your items in the order that works best for you.
I have to admit that I had a lot to donate to our Food Pantry and I also bought a bunch of extra items like Pasta, Pasta Sauce and Peanut Butter to add to them. It’s such a great thing to do each month and so appreciated. It’s all about the little things : )
Toys.
This is a tough one to tackle and I am a complete believer that your children should be involved. My kids are passed the toy stage but I remember it well. They took their toys very seriously… every one of them and let me just say there was a PLETHORA of them! They took care of them so they were all it great shape and parting wasn’t a big option at that time. But when I added the ritual of picking some toys to be given to special children that had no toys or kids in the Hospital that needed them and would love them dearly it seemed like a much easier thing to do. By donating freshly washed Stuffie’s with new bows on them thrilled my kids and wow did it declutter a lot. Of course the most special ones are still with them today… knowing that their toys were getting a new home and that they were going to be loved made all the difference in the world. So when decluttering toys… try to make it a wonderful experience… not a heartbreaking one : )
Items you simply can’t part with but can’t really use!
OK… this is probably the only place where you are going to see this advice. I am not actually telling you it is a good thing… but in my life and my experience it was a must. You are going to come across items that you don’t actually use but you simply can’t part with. Allow yourself one storage bucket’s worth of them. Carefully store them and label the bucket with what is in them. If it makes your heart feel better knowing that you still have those items… well you are worth it : ) My biggest reason seemed to be… my Mother used that when I was a kid… that was my Father’s favorite glass… well you get the picture. Don’t get too carried away with it because so many things you give to be donated will help so many people.
Check out the experts.
When you find you need a little more help getting organized, turn on the TV or read to get some expert advice. Marie Kondo’s Konmari method has wannabe tidiers looking to bring happiness in their lives by getting rid of the clutter and things that no longer spark joy in their lives. The popular Netflix series and book will help you learn how to organize all areas of your home and life. Just remember… learn from the advice and “adapt” it to your life style.
These tricks to tidy up your home will help you organize your home while still keeping your own personal style and home decor. What do you do to help keep your own home clean and tidy?
Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home Tricks To Tidy Up Your Home
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