Collection vs Clutter Part 2

Hello again and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Thank you for checking back in with us for Part II of the “Collection versus Clutter” blog! There is a popular trend going around on how to trash 40 BAGS (of STUFF) in 40 DAYS, have you heard about it? Well, I have, and personally, I LOVE IT. But, I’m a goals and deadlines kind of gal, so this sort of thing totally works for me! Now, let me be CLEAR, this topic is always hard for me to write about because we have NEVER EVER bought a home. That certainly does not mean we haven’t had one or that we have never felt “at home”. Quite the opposite, actually. If you are like us, and many in the Military, OUR STUFF IS OUR HOME. So with that in mind, let me walk and talk you through my personal plan to help you achieve balance and organization in your HOME in 2017. We already know that we are moving back to the States in six months. So I am on a mission to purge our house of the unnecessary!

​“Have nothing in your home that you do not know it to be useful or believe to be beautiful”~~ William Morris. 

​HOW TO COMBAT CLUTTER:
Five Things to Consider: 

1. This is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It takes time. And like running, it’s also helpful to have friends who will encourage you! ( do you have a friend or neighbor to enlist in this effort? It is so much more fun when you can do it with someone else on the same mission!) 
2. Start room by room. Advance to item by item. Steady girl...
3. Break down your belongings into zones. ( I’ve provided my own list to help you from becoming overwhelmed.)
4. Ask yourself: 

• Have I used this item in the last 12 months? ( If no, TOSS IT. You don’t need it or won’t use it in the next 12. UNLESS it’s rare or sentimental, which I will discuss in another blog soon. ( that’s a freebie, keep it until we talk about it later!)
• Is it in good condition? If it’s unusable, TOSS IT. If you want to keep it but it requires repair, GREAT. Now set a REASONABLE deadline to repair it or TOSS IT.
• Do I love this? Really, really THINK about this. (The rare and sentimental, again, do not fall into this category, so take a deep breath my friend!) If you do not LOVE IT. TOSS IT. Otherwise, you are wasting time, energy, and SPACE (that’s code for HHG ALLOWANCE). 
• Do I already have this? I get it. “Multiples” mean that you are never “without”. But it also means EXTRA WEIGHT. You will survive with ONE of whatever it is and if you’re like me, you always have that wonderful neighbor friend who will loan you the item until you can replace your ONE.

​​​5.  Do I need this in my life? Say whaaaatttt? We can talk ourselves into a LOT of things. If it doesn’t work, doesn’t fit or doesn’t align with your personal plan of organization and decluttering, TOSS IT.

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    1.      Storage room 
    2.      Cubbies, catch-alls
    3.      Master bedroom
    4.      Master closet
    5.      Master bathroom
    6.      Nightstands
    7.      Master dresser
    8.      Kid’s closets
    9.      Husband’s closet
    10.    Any other bedroom closets
    11.    Kids’ dressers
    12.    Any other dressers/ clothing storage
    13.    Garage
    14.    Entry closet by front door
    15.    Closets anywhere in the house
    16.    Laundry room
    17.    Kitchen cabinets
    18.    Kitchen drawers
    19.    Pantry
    20.    Refrigerator

    21.    Refrigerator Freezer
    22.    Additional refrigerator/freezer
    23.    Office
    24.    Craft supplies
    25.    Books
    26.    Master linen closet
    27.    Vehicles
    28.    Junk drawers throughout the house
    29.    Wet bar cabinets
    30.    Attic 
    31.    Sunroom
    32.    Playroom
    33.    Papers to shred/organize/file
    34     E-mail
    35.    Guest bedroom
    36.    Guest bedroom closet
    37.    Purses/ Backpacks
    38.    Videos, DVDs
    39.    CDs
    40.    WHAT’S LEFT?

I began my personal mission this past week and can’t believe how just a little bit of work each day has made such a big and immediate difference in my home. One thing for certain is that instead of looking around and seeing the chaos (all indicative of an active and busy life!), I am seeing a home that we live in and enjoy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but I guarantee you, the effort is worth it! I haven’t taken the outcast bags anywhere yet (I have plans for sell, donate, and trash) but it is so rewarding to see them stacked alongside the garage wall! It’s all the motivation I need to continue my mission! And the most amazing part about all of this is replacing the chaos with peace. WHO doesn’t want a little bit more of that?

Thank you for continuing to follow our Moving With The Military journey! We are committed to helping you make your home and lifestyle much more enjoyable while assisting you with home decor, solutions, tips and advice along the way! 

Until next time,
Jill