Want to get a jump start on that spring cleaning while it is still winter? Feeling cabin fever and kind of claustrophobic by all the stuff in your house? No? Maybe it is just me that does.
I am an organizaholic. I am also not a spender. One of my favorite things to do is downsize, clean out, and utilize what I have. I know not everyone has the drive to clean out constantly (I am always weeding out the filing cabinet). I also know that most people don't really find it exciting to clean. So, what can I offer you in hopes that you will feel better despite the apprehension of tackling the basement?
Organizing is not just about rearranging your goods, it's also about figuring out how to utilize everything that you have and getting rid of unnecessary belongings. Here are a few tips and encouraging words that will have you downsizing and organizing in no time!
If you haven't used it in a couple years give it away, toss it, or best yet sell it online. Money in your pocket!
When the whole house overwhelms you, start in a small space, like the bathroom medicine cabinet. It's a small room and you are bound to find a few expired items to throw out.
For items that are seasonal or not used too often, purchase see through bins so that you can see what you have for later use.
Consider this when you still feel overwhelmed in that small room, the more you get rid of, the less you will have to clean up later.
When out shopping for decor, pick things that will also serve a purpose. Like candles, throws, bookends, frames, dishes, etc. There are a lot of funky items that serve dual purposes.
All of those manuals that you think you have to hold onto can be found on the internet in a PDF format. I use the online Nikon d610 manual on my phone all the time when something goes haywire with my camera.
Put like-items in a place that makes sense to you, so next time you know where it is and will be more likely to put it away.
You aren't alone when it comes to feeling burned out. I always just think about and tackle what's in front of me (ex. one drawer, box, or closet), instead of thinking about the piles looming around me.
Make your bed. For such a large surface, just doing that will help to cut down on the anxiety of tackling your drawers or closet space.
A lot of times when I am going through boxes in the basement, I find things that have been lost for a while. Also, going through everything you own and knowing where it is, helps to prevent purchases that are unnecessary.
So what is the point of all this? Why keep your house organized or filled with less? For me, it means spending my energy on other things even though I love to clean. We are also in a transition right now and know that at some point we have to move. Who wants to move a bunch of junk? Not me! Another reason for going through these moments of downsizing and such is that it makes me appreciate what I do have. Being content is a pretty awesome feeling!
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. - 1 Timothy 6:6-8
