First things first…make two piles: GIVE AWAY and THROW AWAY. There is no "maybe" pile.
We are going to start "big" and keep narrowing it down, until your entire home is cleaned out and you feel like a new person. You don't have to do this in 1 day…you can do 1 challenge per day until you finish…it's up to you!
My BIGGEST advice?…when you go to an item, "look" at it, don't "touch" it. While looking at it, decide whats going to happen to it, then pick it up and take it straight to the give away or throw away piles. If you touch the item, you will all of a sudden become re-attached to it and think of all of the reasons why you should keep it. Sounds crazy huh?!?!?! I'm being totally serious. Look, decide, pick up and take to designated pile. No touchy…huggy…definitely no kissy…if you do any of this, you will quickly put the item back where it was and keep it for two additional decades. AND once you have put an item in its designated pile, it stays there for good…no going back…DONE!
Ok NOW let's get started...
challenge 1. Everyone has things in their home that they never liked. They may have been a gift. An impulse buy. Whatever. Go get those things now. You know what they are. Don't feel bad. Go to each room, collecting those items. Now put them in GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY.
Challenge 1 Done.
challenge 2. Everyone has things in their home that they DID love at one time, but that was a while ago. Don't feel bad. Be happy that you enjoyed that item and move on. Remember the good times. Go to each room in your house, collecting those items. Now put them in GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY.
Challenge 2 Done.
challenge 3. Go through each room of the house and do a "sweep" of the visible items (not things put away and unseen in drawers and closets and cabinets). While looking (not touching) these visible items, ask yourself these questions:
-do I use this item everyday?
-do I consider this item to be beautiful and I enjoy looking at it?
-do I consider this item to be sentimental and I cherish it?
-do I consider this item to be seasonal, like a Christmas tree, and DO use it for that season or holiday?
-do I consider this item to be a specialty item, like a cake plate, and DO use it for that purpose?
***If you answered NO to all of the above, pick that item up and take it immediately to GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY. Move on to the next item and repeat this over and over until you have looked at and decided the fate of each item in that room. You should be looking at EVERYTHING…lamps, pillows, blankets, TVs, bedding, photos, frames, everything sitting on shelves, organizing pieces, boxes, decorations hanging on the walls, knick knacks on all surfaces, rugs, plants, books, dvds, artwork, gifts from people, racks, coffee tables, everything sitting on any surface, side tables, sets of drawers, chairs, couches, beds, headboards, hope chests, shelves, candles, basically anything and everything in the entire room that is not the four walls, ceiling and floor. This may take a while, but thats ok! Think of how long it took you to accumulate it all!
Challenge 3 Done.
After doing challenge 3, you may feel a little freaked out. Your rooms will look very different (especially if you did a GOOD clean out). They may be emptier, but do you feel lighter? Freer? Do you have more space? More room to breathe? Just tell yourself that you are going for quality, not quantity. You want everything that you own to be things that you truly enjoy and love. All of the clutter only takes away from the few truly beautiful things that you own. Think of how much better you will feel looking at your dresser and seeing that ONE beautiful photo frame next to your favorite lamp, WITHOUT all of the clutter that you had blocking your view before!!!!!!!
challenge 4. Your going back into every room for another round. This time, you will be cleaning out the drawers and cabinets (don't do the closets or any furniture with clothes yet). Open every single drawer and every single cabinet and TAKE EVERYTHING OUT. Yep. Take it out and throw it on the floor (or a bed or table top). You are going to go through the same process. While looking (not touching) these items, ask yourself these questions:
-do I use this item everyday?
-do I consider this item to be beautiful and I enjoy looking at it?
-do I consider this item to be sentimental and I cherish it?
-do I consider this item to be seasonal, like a Christmas tree, and DO use it for that season or holiday?
-do I consider this item to be a specialty item, like a cake plate, and DO use it for that purpose?
Honestly, MANY things that are put away in drawers and cabinets don't get used. Usually, those items are there because you forgot about them or because you don't use them and they needed a place to "live". You should really be getting rid of A LOT of stuff at this point.
***If you answered NO to all of the above, pick that item up and take it immediately to GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY. Move on to the next item and repeat this over and over until you have looked at and decided the fate of each item in that drawer or cabinet.
Challenge 4 Done.
challenge 5. Your clothes. This is usually the worst. You are going to have to try on a LOT of items and be VERY honest with yourself. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, bras, pants, shorts, skirts, all tops, dresses, belts, scarves, hats, pjs, bathrobes, swimsuits, coverups, all jewelry, gym clothes, EVERYTHING! Take it ALL out of of your closets, drawers, shelves, cabinets, boxes, storage bins, from under your bed, everywhere…EVERYTHING! Take it ALL out and throw it on your bed or floor.
Look at each item and ask yourself these questions:
-is the item stained?
-is the item stretched out?
-is the item an awful color on me?
-does this item make me feel ugly and/or fat?
-is this item old looking, picked, dingy, etc?
***If you answered yes to ANY of these, the item needs to go to GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY!
Now, everything that is left, should be good-looking items. Ask yourself these questions:
-have I worn this item in the last 12 months?
-is this a seasonal item, like a winter coat that I DO wear?
-is this a sentimental item, like my old wedding dress?
-is this item a special item, like a dress that I DO wear when invited to weddings and formal parties?
***If you answered "no" to all of the above, the item needs to go to GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY!
Now, EVERYTHING that is left, you are going to try on and look at yourself in the mirror. EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF CLOTHING. For each item that you put on, ask yourself:
-does this make me feel beautiful when I wear it?
-do I feel comfortable in this?…no cutting off circulation, no leaving deep red lines anywhere, no painful blisters...
-does this color look good with my skin tone and eye color?
-do I get compliments when I wear this?
-do I enjoy wearing this?
***If you answered "no" to any of these, the item needs to go to GIVE AWAY or THROW AWAY!
Challenge 5 Done.
If you have completed all 5 challenges, you deserve a……………….
trip to Goodwill :)
Challenge 6:
Seriously, you have GOT to get that stuff out of your house ASAP! If you leave it there, you will dream about it, think that you miss it, tear back into that bag and put that ugly item back where you had it. DON'T FALL INTO TEMPTATION!
1. Take all of those bags and boxes you labeled THROW AWAY and go to the city dump and trash them NOW.
2. Take all of those bags and boxes you labeled GIVE AWAY and go to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, mens and/or women's shelter, church (or where ever you choose) and leave them NOW!
PS: If something is stained, torn, broken, etc. please trash it. Only give away items that are still in good condition. Just because someone is poor doesn't mean they want your trash…
I'd seriously LOVE to hear your stories of how you cleaned out and turned your home around!!! Please send me an email at nickandemilystewart@me.com …also, if you live near me, I would LOVE to come and help you, but be warned…I am a SERIOUS cleaner outer (is that a word?)…don't invite me over unless you mean business!!!
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