The wrapping paper is gone, the food coma has worn off, the relatives have evacuated, the New Year approaches and your closet/house/under your bed/spare room/every room is full of new things, presents, the old clutter and and it's overwhelming.
It's smothering.
It's asphyxiating.
HELP!
I was about to go bonkers with how full my bedroom/home office/living space was getting.
NO MORE!
Those blogs about minimalist living were calling to me in sweet, steady, simple whispers promising freedom from stuff and methods to dig out from the pile of unnecessary stuff.
This was one of my favorites with some great step-by-step ideas. I'm not a lock stock and barrel minimalist...but I'm borrowing some practices.
I chose to start at the Achilles heel of most women's accumulation.
The closet {Insert dramatic Phantom of Opera music}
My first step was to empty the whole contents of closet and shelves onto my bed and line up all of my shoes.
1} Get everything out where you can see it. EVERYTHING. no cheating.
2} Get rid of duplicates. I did this with tennis shoes {and a few other things}. I have two pairs...old nikes from college, and new-ish trail running shoes that I use now that I live in the boondocks again. I only use one pair. So the other goes bye-bye.
3} Hold the garment up and ask honestly. "Do I wear this?" Don't ask if it's a good brand, a quality piece. Do you wear it or do you reach past it consistently for something else? I have a perfect white cardigan, Eddie Bauer brand and everything. But I ALWAYS reach past it for a gray cardigan I found at a second hand store in Alaska. It has no tag and the buttons were broken so I took them off...but it's my favorite sweater...it goes with everything...and it doesn't need friends that never go out hanging next to it. Bye-bye unworn white cardigan.
4} Give question mark garments a trial period. I have a few really interesting pieces that I never wear but they would make the CUTEST outfit {so I imagine} but somehow those "cutest" outfits never happen. Like the red knit top pictured above...perfect details, so many possibilities...yet still unworn. I took photos of the question marks and gave myself one week to work them into an outfit. If they don't get worn in that week...off they go.
5} Bag up the rejects right away. Don't let the pile be visible or hang about. Put it in a trash bag by the door on its way to a second hand store or charity. You'll be surprised how you can't even remember what was gotten rid of. I can't recall right now and it's been only a few days.
6} Enjoy your extra space and decreased clutter!
PS TIP
Make a rule to help yourself not have to do this grueling and emotional process again...or at least not as soon.
Closet Rule: If something goes in, something comes out.
I'm surprised how well this has already worked. I received a new scarf and pitched and old one. Hopefully I can keep up with it and stay disciplined!