Connections Declutter Challenge 2019 - Month Three

Creating a home that has breathing room

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS CONNECTIONS NEWS, MARCH 2019 ISSUE​

​https://issuu.com/ihconnections/docs/march-2019-connections-issaquah-hig/17

Spring is here! With this new season comes new growth and new life. It brings the opportunity to continue to get rid of the things that don’t bring you joy. And you can keep moving forward toward creating a home that has breathing room!

There can be some real emotional aspects to letting go. Sometimes life transitions can find you downsizing. Or maybe you just have a lot of sentimental items that are taking up space. Situations like this can leave you with feelings that make it difficult to say goodbye. But there are ways to make this easier. First of all, be gentle with, and kind to yourself. Our belongings can hold many memories, and getting rid of them might feel like you are being uncaring or disrespectful. But we have to remember, our memories are in our thoughts, stories and hearts, not within our things. When you are starting the process, begin by finding the items that just FILL your soul! I know I tend to say this a lot. But it really does make a difference. When you start on a positive note, and choose the items that you want to keep the most, those that are very important to you, you are allowing yourself to make these a priority. Don’t see it as coming from a place of “I HAVE to get rid of this!”. See it as “I am READY to release this from my life!”

And while you are Spring Cleaning, make decluttering a part of your plan. You will make double the progress, and end with a clean AND weightless home! As you move through the spaces, instead of just wiping things down and cleaning things up, start a donation box, and revisit the areas on your Master Plan from January’s article. I don’t want you to do everything, but taking baby steps and checking things off as you go, will give you such a sense of accomplishment. And you will be welcoming this warmer season with a weight lifted off of your shoulders. 

MARCH DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE: In January I asked you to write your plan of action. In February I asked you to clear out some of your linens and explore multi purpose storage solutions. For March I want you to take a visit to your closets. Start by removing every single item and putting them on your bed. Take them off of the hangers, and sort them by type. It is really helpful to have another person by your side. Have that person hold up each item, and make quick decisions. The first feeling you get, is what I want you to go with. 

Try to remove as many items from your closet as possible. Only keep the pieces of clothing that make you feel your best! And use matching hangers. This small change makes a HUGE difference. If you have pieces that you aren’t sure of, put the hangers backwards. If you find yourself reaching for it over the next few months, then turn the hanger around. If not, you are ready to let it go.

​Next, put a donation bin on your closet floor. Every time you come across something you aren’t in love with anymore, throw it in there! Once it’s full, drop it off at The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, or your local donation center.

With these new systems in place, you will start to see space between your hangers! I can’t tell you how wonderful that will feel!

Please tell me in the comments below how many items you purged from your closet. You will receive an extra entry in next week's birthday giveaways! And shhhhh! Only readers of my blog get this early info :) I will be dropping information on those here, before it hits my social media, so be on the lookout!   

~Johnna