Clutter around the condo immediately equals clutter in my mind, which means I can’t focus on anything but said clutter. Anyone else have that issue? At times I feel like all I need is a good purge, and a deep breath to feel better. I’ve found there’s really something to that whole “a clean, organized space = a happy mind” thing. With the new year rapidly approaching, here are four easy ways to get you started on decluttering (and where I find that most of my clutter builds):
| Clothes | This is always the first place I start when I’m in need of a clean slate. If it’s torn, has a gnarly stain on it, or for whatever reason just doesn’t fit you like it did in the dressing room – get rid of it. It’s only taking up precious space for something that you’ll actually wear. I get sick of clothes quickly – unfortunately for me and my bank account. Luckily, sites like Poshmark and eBay exist where you can sell your gently used clothes. Cha-Ching. You can use code “KAHLABRUBAKER” for a $5 Poshmark credit when you sign up. You can also follow me on Poshmark here.
| Makeup | They say that makeup should be thrown away every few months due to the germs and bacteria that can grow on it (super ew). Stop trying to convince yourself that the purple eyeliner will be perfect for Halloween 6 months from now, because it won’t. Going through and throwing out all of your old makeup is so refreshing. You’ll feel clean. Your makeup drawer will be clean. And you can finally buy that new mascara you’ve been wanting to try. Win/win/win. Speaking of, this is my favorite mascara to wear.
| Phone | Phones never seem to make it to these decluttering lists and that never makes any sense to me. There’s nothing more freeing than clearing out your phone whether it be your inbox, texts, or photos to make room for memories to come. If you’re anything like me, your inbox fills up quickly with emails you’ll never read and probably forgot you even signed up for. Swipe left, delete, and say goodbye to those annoying red icons on your apps. That “No Mail” screen, y’all – it. is. GOALS.
| Loose paper: ticket stubs, wrist bands, etc | For every concert, festival, or trip that Ben and I have been on there’s always that signed wristband or ticket stub that I just can’t bring myself to throw away and it ends up sitting in our kitchen drawer. Sure, to you it’s just a wrinkled up neon wristband drenched with sweat and spilt beer, but to me it’s the physical memory of Eric Church touching my hand at that one concert. If I throw it out, it’s like I’m throwing the memory out with it. Excuse my irrational emotional attachment to a piece of paper, but I know I can’t be the only one There is a solution and let me be the one to tell you that this is why shadowboxes and pin boards (IRL ones, not Pinterest) exist. Specifically for people like us. Fill them and pin them with all of your favorite paper memories – and don’t ever wash that Eric Church christened hand.
I hope these tips are helpful when it comes to decluttering! What are some of your favoring purging tips? Where do you like to start when you start the declutter process?
| Clothes | This is always the first place I start when I’m in need of a clean slate. If it’s torn, has a gnarly stain on it, or for whatever reason just doesn’t fit you like it did in the dressing room – get rid of it. It’s only taking up precious space for something that you’ll actually wear. I get sick of clothes quickly – unfortunately for me and my bank account. Luckily, sites like Poshmark and eBay exist where you can sell your gently used clothes. Cha-Ching. You can use code “KAHLABRUBAKER” for a $5 Poshmark credit when you sign up. You can also follow me on Poshmark here.
| Makeup | They say that makeup should be thrown away every few months due to the germs and bacteria that can grow on it (super ew). Stop trying to convince yourself that the purple eyeliner will be perfect for Halloween 6 months from now, because it won’t. Going through and throwing out all of your old makeup is so refreshing. You’ll feel clean. Your makeup drawer will be clean. And you can finally buy that new mascara you’ve been wanting to try. Win/win/win. Speaking of, this is my favorite mascara to wear.
| Phone | Phones never seem to make it to these decluttering lists and that never makes any sense to me. There’s nothing more freeing than clearing out your phone whether it be your inbox, texts, or photos to make room for memories to come. If you’re anything like me, your inbox fills up quickly with emails you’ll never read and probably forgot you even signed up for. Swipe left, delete, and say goodbye to those annoying red icons on your apps. That “No Mail” screen, y’all – it. is. GOALS.
| Loose paper: ticket stubs, wrist bands, etc | For every concert, festival, or trip that Ben and I have been on there’s always that signed wristband or ticket stub that I just can’t bring myself to throw away and it ends up sitting in our kitchen drawer. Sure, to you it’s just a wrinkled up neon wristband drenched with sweat and spilt beer, but to me it’s the physical memory of Eric Church touching my hand at that one concert. If I throw it out, it’s like I’m throwing the memory out with it. Excuse my irrational emotional attachment to a piece of paper, but I know I can’t be the only one There is a solution and let me be the one to tell you that this is why shadowboxes and pin boards (IRL ones, not Pinterest) exist. Specifically for people like us. Fill them and pin them with all of your favorite paper memories – and don’t ever wash that Eric Church christened hand.
I hope these tips are helpful when it comes to decluttering! What are some of your favoring purging tips? Where do you like to start when you start the declutter process?