Sort, divide, and conquer.
Perhaps it’s the change of seasons (we’re coming into summer here in Australia), but I have been going crazy about clutter in my house lately. At a glance things look fine, but I know what lurks behind closed drawers and cupboards: STUFF.
And honestly, the stuff is starting to make me a bit loopy.
It feels like a constant battle to keep it tamed – a sure sign that it’s time to deal with it.
Give away, throw out, and re-organize.
And seriously, don’t you love the idea of heading into next year already feeling fresh instead of just determining to start fresh when the holiday dust settles and the calendar flips over?
Here’s my simple plan – one little project, one day at a time. Some of these will take five minutes (clean the toothbrush drawer) and some will take a bit longer. But they are all manageable to do in little bursts. (There might be days like today that I do more than one—gasp—and even get ahead.)
Feel free to join me if you’d like and cater my plan to your own household needs. This is based on my house and clutter, but you can use the list to trigger your own thought process and plan of attack.
If you’re methodical, go through the list in order, choosing room-by-room which you’d like to do next. If you’re like me, then I suggest you skip around a bit so you don’t get bored and lose interest!
And shhhhhh, here’s a secret: If you start immediately there’s room for a few skipped days while still getting it all done before Christmas.
Ok, big breaths—we can do this—here’s THE LIST:
Download this as a free printable: De-clutter your entire house by Christmas in just a few minutes a day.
Dear friends, what do you think? I want to finish my year well and be ready to ring in the new one feeling already ahead of the game. Wanna join me??
21 Comments
Jessica W
3 November 2012 at 12:27 amLove this Adriel. I’m printing it out and I’m starting now. I needed this motivation. Thanks friend!
Jessica W recently posted..31 Days Conclusion: The Fruit of a Flourishing Friendship
Adriel Booker
3 November 2012 at 7:53 amYou can do it!!! Baby steps, right? 😉
Adriel Booker recently posted..umi’s story and project baby bilum
Rachel @ A Cupcake for Moose
3 November 2012 at 1:35 amYes! I so needed this…thank you! I’m so glad I’m not the only one with clutter that makes me go bananas. Off to print and get a Plan of Action. Yippee!
Adriel Booker
3 November 2012 at 7:53 amlet me know how it goes! 🙂
Adriel Booker recently posted..how to make a (big) boy happy: turn a cardboard box into a diy lightning mcqueen costume
Jennie {Clover & Violet}
3 November 2012 at 3:50 amThis is such a great idea, I pinned it and am going to try to keep up! And, with a move coming up, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by clutter too!
Adriel Booker
3 November 2012 at 7:52 amYes! I find having a plan is the best way to combat that “overwhelmed” feeling. Great idea to do it in preparation for a move!
Adriel Booker recently posted..romney and obama: thou shalt be nice
rachel @ amotherfarfromhome
3 November 2012 at 6:16 amGreat idea! Nothing feels better than organizing, de-cluttering, simplifying and donating!
Adriel Booker
3 November 2012 at 7:54 amI can’t believe how fast it all builds up! I did something similar just over a year ago before I had Judah… and my house needs that kind of deep attention again! (Not waiting for preggo nesting urges this time though.) 😉
Adriel Booker recently posted..giving birth along the bamu river | stories from papua new guinea
Laura G
3 November 2012 at 10:05 amI’m so SO excited to do this with you! It’s the perfect way to channel my nesting urges with the amount of energy I have right now. I can definitely do 5-15 minutes a day cleaning. Any more than that and I start to burn out (not to mention Georgia wants attention). I’m printing out the sheet – will you do some posts to show some Before and Afters? I’d love any ideas for organizing in a small space.
Adriel Booker
4 November 2012 at 5:06 pmoh yay! not sure if i’ll do any before & after posts – but i’ll keep that in mind as i go and if there’s a space that might be relevant i’ll snap some pics. 😉
Adriel Booker recently posted..transform your old crib into a loft toddler bed
Audrey
3 November 2012 at 10:22 amThank you for this – I’m going to stop procrastinating right now!
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Adriel Booker
4 November 2012 at 5:06 pmoh yes – procrastinators unite!! lol
Adriel Booker recently posted..umi’s story and project baby bilum
Auntie Em
3 November 2012 at 11:58 pmI love a plan, and this is a fabulous one! The only hard part is actually DOING the baby steps lol! (Funny that my last post about the self-discipline challenge would pop us with this comment.. Think that’s a sign??)
Thanks!
Auntie Em recently posted..21 Days to Something Better
Adriel Booker
4 November 2012 at 5:07 pmyou can dooooooo it!!! 😉
Adriel Booker recently posted..giving birth along the bamu river | stories from papua new guinea
Megan
5 November 2012 at 3:24 pmYikes, I NEED to do this. So bad! We just found out we might be moving in January (EEP!!!) and I need to do a major purge. Good thing you’re here to help 😉
Megan recently posted..Introducing the Umi Sling!
Adriel Booker
5 November 2012 at 8:47 pmOi, perfect timing! 🙂
Adriel Booker recently posted..transform your old crib into a loft toddler bed
Branson
6 November 2012 at 12:51 pmIt amazes me how stuff piles up when we buy so very little these days! I have to giggle that you have a toothbrush drawer. Not sure why, just funny 😉
Adriel Booker
6 November 2012 at 9:07 pmI thought everyone had a toothbrush drawer! You know, with the toothbrushes, paste, floss, contact lenses & solution, etc. No?? Well, I’m glad I could give you a giggle. 😉
Adriel Booker recently posted..oh, my heart
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Dawn
29 December 2013 at 9:46 amDumb question time! What do you do with each item on the list? I get paralyzed knowing what to do with the clutter? Do I keep it? Do I throw it away? Move it somewhere else? Hide it? I really get overwhelmed trying to decide. Do you have any advice? Thanks!