Let's Get Organized: 6 Things You Do Not Need

Because I had a lot of free time this semester, my mom and I spent the first three months of this year (2018), slowly going room to room deep cleaning like we have never done before. We started in an attic, that has never been deep cleaned in my life. Some relatives came over one weekend to help clean out our storage room and garage. We sorted stuff, threw stuff out, donated, and created a garage sale pile for the neighborhood garage sale that was at the beginning of April. We are still going through stuff - just a few days ago, my mom and I went through piles and piles of music books (my grandma and great grandma taught piano lessons).
And if you haven't read a Simplified Life, it's a pretty good read. Once a year, they have a ruthless declutter week. And it is empowering in the sense that one knows they are not going through it alone. (Go follow Emily Ley and Simplified on Instagram).

Just remember, what you see in magazines is just that. They are picture perfect for the shoot - can you just imagine what behind the scenes must look like?

I have been in so many people's houses between babysitting jobs and being a Mary Kay consultant. And y'all, everyone has one of THOSE closets/counters/drawers/desks/tables/rooms.

So take a deep breath.

Don't look at the house as a whole. Break it up. Tackle one room at a time. Break it up even more. One closet. One drawer.

You've got this.

You might not have a week to power though. That does not matter. I told you, my mom and I spent MONTHS going through the house. (And technically we still have to tackle kitchen stuff... But that is besides the point).
















Here's a quick list of some places to start and things you don't need.


Half a Dozen Lip Glosses that are basically the same shade.
Expired makeup also falls under this area. Don't know the shelf life? Find out here.

A Basket of Hair Products that goes unused
except for your favorite dry shampoo sitting on top.

Those books sitting on your shelf collecting dust.
 Kind of like the clothes in your closet you hope to wear someday, be honest with yourself, are you really going to read them? No? Donate them. Want to, but just never enough time to sit and read? Donate them and listen to audiobooks while getting ready in the morning.

Duplicate Office Supplies.
Also duplicates of anything - you don't need three hair dryers, two coffee makers, and half a dozen cheese knives.

Broken Pieces or items that are missing parts.
Keep them only if you truly believe in the bottom of your heart, that someday you will find that missing puzzle piece (even though you have had your house deep cleaned who knows how many times, and it hasn't turned up).

Expired food.
When was the last time you emptied out your entire pantry, refrigerator or freezer? And I mean took EVERYTHING out? You might be surprised at the amount of half empty bags of chips that are stale or expired cans of soup or beans sitting in the back corner.

Hope this gets you going; there is nothing better than coming home to a clean house and being able to find and quickly grab your items when needed.

XOXO,
Suzanne Marie