The Art of Decluttering

Change is definitely a good thing. Sometimes I find myself craving it actually. Small changes that is! I have a habit of cleaning and getting rid of the junk I've accumulated every six months to a year. I am a fairly organized person, but I do seem to collect random stuff and can never find a place for it. I think we all have those one or two places where we just shove the random stuff we can't find a place for. For me this place seems to be the desk in my room. It just seems to be the catch all for the items that I neglect to put away or have no idea what to do with them.  I come home and don't have enough time to put my belongings away..they end up on my desk. I can't decide what to wear, so I raid my closet and try on outfit after outfit without putting away the clothes I choose not to wear.. they end up on my desk.  The random mail that I don't feel like sorting and filing gets shoved in a folder on my desk. I think you're probably getting the point by now. Anyways, after a certain amount of time I just get tired of looking at all the clutter that has collected.  

Once I muster up the time and energy, I begin to de-clutter.  I begin by sorting the items that are just randomly placed in piles (bobby pins, hair ties, etc. belong in the bathroom, clothes belong in the closet, etc.) I sort the items until the loose items are gone. The next step is to put these random items back to where they belong. Sometimes this even means purging a few items. The next step I like to take is to re-organize.  I focus on one area at a time. Within each area I remove everything sort through it disposing of items that I no longer need nor use. If I haven't used it in the past year, then there's no point keeping it. I make two piles- one for trash and the other for things I plan to donate. I then take what is left and organize it in a way that minimizes clutter and maximizes organization. 

Before... 

After...

Desk organization that works for me

Filing Important Papers

I like to use pretty filing folders to store important papers. I currently have four folders. One for all of Brody's vet records, a folder for all of my teaching credentials, a folder for bills, and another folder for miscellaneous important papers like contracts. I like to use cute filing folders because they double as a practical item and a bit of decor. 

Organizing the random stuff

We all have that small collection of random items that we use regularly, but just can't seem to find a neat way to store them.  I use a small wicker basket for these.  The basket makes everything appear as organized even though it's actually not. In my basket I keep koozies, my dollar jar, lemon wipes, sunglasses, etc. You can find some great baskets and bins at the dollar spot at Target or even the dollar store.  You'll be amazed at how quickly using a few storage bins changes the look of a room. 

Books

I love to read, and I also love the collect "coffee table" books. I clearly don't have a need for a coffee table yet since I live at home with my parents and my only personal space is my bedroom. However, I still insist on collecting these pretty books filled with fun pictures and information.  I use them as a decor item in the cubby of my desk. Storing them horizontally rather than vertically makes them look more organized and intentional rather than a pile of books that are just randomly collecting. 

Writing Utensils

I have always loved colorful pens, pencils, and markers. I've shared my love for new office supplies many times on here.  Well, it's no surprise that I have lots of writing utensils.  I keep them organized in a storage bin that I found at The Container Store.  The bin was a little pricy, but it helps to keep e everything organized. Some other ways to store pens and pencils would be to put them in a cute mug or cup, in a small container, or in a pencil case.

When it's all said and done, decluttering feels a lot like hitting the reset button. It makes me feel refreshed and inspired. 

XOXO