I’m purging my closet again today. Thank you all for the kick in the pants!
4 Likes
That is one of my issues. I unfortunately am still a bit cyclical with my weight. And still have some aspirational clothes from really thin days, but getting rid of those.
Our closet space is very limited so most things are in dressers and I have to cycle the winter clothes in and out.
I had kept a few aspirational pieces of clothing for like a decade. They fit now! Some though I would never leave the house in so need to let them go ;).
I’m going to be brutal this time and if I haven’t worn it in the last year, it’s going to be donated.
I only have two exceptions - a tartan and sweater I bought on my honeymoon (I will never, ever wear them unless it’s halloween, but yes, they fit!) and an outfit I wore when I was on Oprah years ago. Wouldn’t have left the house in it at the time either but it’s a fun reminder of a great experience.
3 Likes
This post reminds me of the show on HGTV called Hot Mess House. Has anyone seen it?
The organizer categorizes the home owners into one of four clutterbugs, based on if they are simple or detailed sorters and whether they prefer hidden or visual storage.
There’s a quiz on her website….
1 Like
I saw something that resonated with me today. We have all heard of a capsule wardrobe - pairing your wardrobe down to key pieces that can mix and max- like a dozen pieces that essentially could create DOZENS of outfits.
The post I saw said to consider other “capsules”. If you had small children Capsule Toy Selection - so pairing down to avoid a lot of repeats. Capsule small appliances - multiuse appliances - for instance do you need a toaster AND a toaster oven?
By reducing amount you do help your organization. Not so much stuff to store, not so much confusion in storing, etc.
What could you “capsule”? - turn into a small collection of useful items as oppose to an overwhelming collection of often NOT used items.
6 Likes
I’m a Cricket ; ).
1 Like
I’m a cricket too, but I also took the quiz as if I were my husband, and he’s a butterfly. In other words, no place for anything and nothing in its place. Because he “might need it again soon.” 
4 Likes
So, I reorganized the freezer yesterday. H is out of town next week for work. It should stay this way for a bit ; )
4 Likes
I’m a Ladybug. I think this description is pretty accurate.
You’re A Ladybug!
Love visual simplicity and organizational simplicity. You prefer to have all your items hidden out-of-sight. You also need fast and easy solutions, like bins and baskets without lids.
2 Likes
Ladybug here. But, as usual, I feel like I overthink my answers, which is why I don’t do well on standardized tests. 
1 Like
I’m a Ladybug, too.
Unfortunately, all my closets and drawers for hidden storage are full, so I’m really just a mess.
Hoping for some inspiration from this thread to make time to sort and get rid of stuff!
I am like you. I find it really helps to start small (as in- really small). If you take everything out of your medicine cabinet (or cosmetics shelf, or the place you keep your sweatpants), clean it out, then get rid of what you didn’t even remember owning and put the rest back, the satisfaction of “one clean, organized spot” will give you momentum for something a little harder.
I’m sentimental- how can I get rid of the dress I wore at a cousin’s wedding 30 years ago when there is such a nice picture of me and my grandparents where I’m wearing the dress? And they died shortly after that? Oh my. Can’t get rid of that even though it was 40 lbs. ago,
I get you!
2 Likes
Yes, my lid rack is in the cabinet with the pots and pans.
1 Like
I read an article that talked about storing for easy storage vs storing for easy retrieval. Sounds like it was similar to what @Jolynne_Smyth referred to.
The first might be tossing all the time shirts in a drawer. Not folded. But they aren’t on the floor or bed. The latter might be Marie Kondo folding. This was kind of an epiphany for me! Two very different goals!
I like the latter because I want to see what I have and I want retrieval to be quick and simple. And okay, there’s a certain joy in order! But this means a little more work at the outset. Spices need to stay alphabetized. Bowls need to be nested. Shirts need to be folded a bit compulsively.
For pretty much everyone else in the house, my method makes putting things away a huge burden. So they simply don’t do it. But even having two laundry hampers, one for dirty clothes and one for clean ones that needed folding made a world of difference. It still leaves me with more work but it gets the tidying job at least partially done by others.
1 Like
Small plant pots are great for storing pens and pencils.
The one we use is stylized after the “Guardians of the Galaxy” character Groot – the pot is basically Groot’s head. Groot!
1 Like
Agree with this! Hello Ikea inexpensive small plant pots! Alternatively, MUGS.
1 Like
I was not as much an organized person when I was younger, but then I worked with a woman named Beth. I was very impressed at how she organized the file room at work (corporate finance, back in the days of everything being on paper) and she told me her “secret”.
She said she was lazy. I laughed and she explained that it was much easier and a lot less work to be organized than to be disorganized. It made sense to me (and I am also lazy) so I started to change my habits.
Things get cleaned up/straitened up daily
Put things back where they belong
A place for everything
Go through clothes 2x/year and donate
Look through the closet/pantry etc BEFORE you shop
Fold the laundry as you pull it out of the dryer (fewer wrinkles, too!)
If you are going upstairs/downstairs glance around and see if anything needs to go with you
There are a few more things I do, just can’t remember right now because they are ingrained habits. But it’s made things a lot easier for me. My house is organized. And remember - I am lazy.
11 Likes
Gretchen Rubin talks about the 1-minute rule. Think about how many things you put off taking care of that would literally take 1 minute or less to do. So sorting a few pieces of mail…carrying an item up the stairs…putting something in the RIGHT spot as opposed to the convenient spot.
Notice how many things you set where ever instead of just taking the max 1-minute to take care of it.
4 Likes
I am also a Cricket. Pretty accurate description. I do overthink finding the perfect solution/system so struggle to get going to set something up in the first place.
Lazy person here too. I agree with your fairly simple suggestions for modifying one’s behavior. Once it becomes a habit, it’s effortless…though I admit I’m not good when it comes to my closet.
Something I’ve found helpful is adopting the habit of making lists. I didn’t use lists much in the past, preferring to make mental lists. (lazy!) However I find actually writing them down is beneficial in many ways. There’s less of a chance I forget something, which in turn makes tasks less stressful…and who wouldn’t benefit from less stress. Also as my very organized daughter would say, there is a sense of accomplishment as you check things off your list.
2 Likes