How to make the most of purging and sorting energy

I recently polled my readers and IG followers as to what they were planning to do the first weekend after
New Year's.  90% responded with "declutter and organize."  Research has shown that there are 3 times of year
when we naturally hum with purging and sorting energy.  Those times are at the beginning of a new calendar year, when spring arrives, and when school starts.  Even if we are not students or teachers, we buzz off the
energy of those who are and we naturally want to purge and sort in August or September.

While I know most of us have the "want to" to declutter, the question then becomes "but how?" -
how do we transfer that energy and desire into action?
​

Ideally, we would take EVERYTHING out of a closet or dresser or bookshelf, but in reality, that is not always practical!  We may not have the SPACE to sort said items.  Do what works for you and your space.

I prefer clear bins that I will often pre-label (because I have done this so many times).  You may want to start with unlabeled clear bins so you have the flexibility to name them as you see categories of items arise.

Free cloth bags that we get from conferences or stores make excellent donation bags.  Most donation centers will take items in Amazon boxes, trash bags, they really don't care!  I keep a bag or box for Goodwill going year-round and make monthly or sometimes weekly trips.  I save my receipts for tax purposes.

I have started taking my colored bins to Goodwill now that I am slowly replacing my storage room bins with clear totes.  I also use them for our recycling which is picked up curbside every week.  Never "waste" a good bin even if it doesn't look pretty!

I have a few other tips for harnessing your purging and sorting energy:

1. ​Listen to a book or upbeat music while declutter.  This will help you maintain your momentum.
2. Open the blinds, curtains, and let some natural light pour into the space to further boost your endorphins.
3. Fight the urge to clean until you have a section empty or "done."  That may slow your purging progress.
4. While I usually get my BEST decluttering done when I am suddenly gifted with a couple of hours of free time, I also plan times to declutter.  Whatever works best for you, just do it!
5. Take the items to Goodwill (or donation center of choice) immediately after purging them.  Kids can't see that toy or stuffed animal and keep you into keeping it.  You can't see that pair of jeans and reimagine them fitting next week.  😜
6. Have snacks, water, drink of choice at hand.  Being hungry and stressed is never good for the process.  I usually have dinner in the crockpot or have a planned takeout night so that I do not have to stop my progress to cook.
7. Don't overanalyze.  There are so many organizing gurus you may follow.  I love them all and glean ideas from each of them.  One of the best tricks I use for my own brain is:  I love whoever gave this to me.  I'm still going to love them after this item is gone.  I can love them even MORE and spend more time with them once I have less stuff to manage in my home.  AND for items I purchased, I tell myself that whatever money that cost was gone a long time and keeping the item does not raise my current bank account balance, so LET IT GO!  Those 2 tricks alone have been lifesavers for me!
8. Never declutter with kids or husband around.  Do I really need to elaborate?  Lock them out of the room if necessary.  Be a purging ninja and sneak that stuff to the trunk honey!
9. I have never been good with switching the hanger backwards in the closet until NOW and let me tell you- it works!  I'm sold!  This has already decreased my closet clutter in just a matter of 1-2 months!  I can actually see what clothes I own.  In case you don't know, you simply switch the hanger backwards after you've worn and washed an item and that lets you know what you wear regularly and what you don't touch!
10. I have to declutter alone.  If I have someone to "help" me, it just slows me down.  This may not work for you, but I have faith that you can do this solo and that you will learn to trust your instincts!  Refer to my tip #7 again and again and again!

​I hope this motivates you to start purging at least one corner of your home.
One closet.  One drawer.  One pile.
It feels SO GOOD to have less "stuff" to manage and maintain.
The older I get, the less I want to corral!

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