Time for Spring Cleaning!

“Spring cleaning” means getting around to all of those organizational nightmares that have snuck up on you throughout the year. It’s time to start fresh. Get rid of those bothersome junk piles. Heavy winter clothes and coats need to be stored. Closets need to be cleaned and your old boxes of stored junk need to be gone through.

Sometimes we save things that we think we will need later. Whether it’s a project that we’re no longer interested in finishing or a stack of old bills, these things can start to clutter your home and eat away at the storage space that you have available. Go through any boxes or piles of mail that are lying around. If it’s an unfinished project, schedule a time to finish it. If you really don’t have time, consider giving it up. Busy Mom’s especially keep projects lying around half finished for years until their allure has vanished or the kids have outgrown the need for whatever it was. Donate half-finished projects to schools that can recycle them as craft supplies and get them out of your closets. Send old bills and statements to the shredder and get them off of your counters, tables and shelves.

Give whatever you can to charity. If you have trouble letting go of usable items, set a goal for yourself to get rid of 25% or even 50% of what you have stored. Use a garage or living room to separate items into three piles. One is for definite keepsakes like heirloom blankets, the outfits that your children wore home from the hospital when they were born, and photo albums. The second pile should be for things that you know are still good and want to keep, but you might could possibly give away or sell. The third pile should be a charity pile.

Sometimes it helps to bring in a third party. Teenagers are great at telling you like it is if you have too much stuff! A good friend is also nice to have if they can give you honest advice. Some things you may not want to just give away, but you may be more comfortable with selling online or in a yard sale. For example, that clarinet that you haven’t played since high school. It holds sentimental value and monetary value. You may feel the need to keep it, but in your heart you know you’ll never touch it again. Have someone take your picture with it and then concentrate on how it could be making a difference in another child’s life. Focus on not being selfish and feel good about items that you donate or sell.

Once your closets are not cluttered, you can update their look. Get them nice and clean, add a coat of paint and stock your closet with some nice wood hangers. You’ll enjoy the clean look and feel of your new found space.