The Great Clean of 2013 (now 2014!): Update #2

You might remember my grand cleaning plans last summer. I was going to be a lean, mean, de-cluttering machine! I was going to get everything in order! Everything would be sparkling by the time I was done! “Throw it out” was going to be my mantra, something I’d chant to keep myself going during those rare times when I felt like quitting.

But most importantly, I wasn’t going to quit. No, no. Quitting would never even be an option. And I followed through with my plan. I didn’t quit.

Well, I suppose that’s not entirely true, considering I never really got started in the first place. The truth is, I had the best of intentions (don’t we all…), but the summer just seemed to get away from me far too quickly. Before I knew it, the fall leaves were falling and I was falling farther and farther behind in my Big Clean project.

But not this summer! I’ve re-energized and have been tackling it, pile by pile, every weekend all summer. What was once a huge eye sore in my living room is now a collection of manageable, somewhat-organized bins.

And my nightstand? ONE BIN!!! No more heaping pile of magazines! Can you believe that?!?!?

I never realized how weighted down I was until I started just throwing things away with abandon. I’ve been merciless, and it’s been quite freeing, actually. Getting rid of stuff, even something as simple as donating a box of old DVDs to the library, makes everything else in your life feel more relaxed and definitely less stressful. And who couldn’t use a little less stress in their life?

Are you doing any massive cleaning projects this summer, friends? How do you tame clutter before it gets out of control? Any helpful tips or tricks? Words of advice? Warnings? We’re all in this Fight Against Clutter together! Good luck out there… xoxo

10 spring cleaning Pinterest finds

 Bad news, friends: Do you remember last summer’s Great Clean of 2013? Yeah, I do too. Well, that summer project turned into a fall project, which turned into a winter project, which has now turned into a spring mission/desperation/hoping-above-all-hope-that-not-all-hope-is-lost sort of thing. BUT! There might still be some hope left, thanks to Pinterest. I’ve been getting lots of organization inspiration (try saying that ten times fast!), like the soothing plants, above…

Book shelves…

A closet with pull-out drawers…

A towering pantry…

Bright and colorful entryway…

Tidy home office…

Black-and-white bathroom…

A cozy living room…

Modern, minimalist kitchen…

And, look! A kids’ playroom! Because, really, who wouldn’t want a room like this? How fun is it?

Whew! I’m pumped, friends! Are you…? What projects are you tackling this spring? Have you started? How are things going? Let the work begin!! xoxo


P.S. More Pinterest finds, including Beatles love, Fourth of July fun, horoscopes, feel-good quotes and holiday festivities. And a deep thought. 🙂

Help! What’s your #1 decluttering tip?

Since we’ve been stuck in the house for practically an entire week now, I’ve been trying to get some cleaning done. I mean, my mother has been zooming around the house like the Energizer Bunny — cleaning out her bins, sorting mail and putting laundry away as if it were an Olympic sport — so I really couldn’t let a woman some 25 years older show me up. It was a pride thing, really. Well, that and the fact that I sort of let my Great Clean of 2013 fall by the wayside once the summer ended. You remember, friends, I started with such steam, with such gusto, and then…? Everything just seemed to fizzle out…to…nothing.

But no more! Over these last couple weeks, I’ve really been trying to get my head in the decluttering game. In fact, that’s what I’ll be doing for the rest of the day today, which is why I’d love your advice!

What are your best tips for decluttering? How do you stay on top of things so they don’t pile up? What has worked for you in the past? What hasn’t? And, what projects are currently on your to-do list, friends?

P.S. If I don’t come back, you’ll know I’ve drowned in all those piles, haha!! 🙂

[Photos via Pinterest and We Heart It]

The Great Clean of 2013: Update #1

So! I’m sure you all remember my summer project. When I first posted about The Great Clean of 2013 a few weeks ago, I had the highest of hopes — you know, those grand dreams that put stars in your eyes and send your heart fluttering with wild anticipation. I was determined to be one lean, mean, cleaning machine. I was pumped. I was ready. I was all set…

That is, well, until I wasn’t. I tried really hard at first. I did. And then, something weird happened. I realized it last night just as I was going to bed. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve not cleaned out a bin so much as I gained half a bin…

What? How is that even possible? But, I feel it’s important that I come clean today — no pun intended — and be honest. As I said in the original post, I promised to report on my progress (or lack thereof…) throughout the summer, and you all know that I’m a woman of my word. So, it’s back to the drawing board this week…or, should I say back to the bins? I’ll report back again soon. Wish me luck, friends! xoxo

Summer Project #2: The Great Clean of 2013

Here’s the deal, friends: I’ve been procrastinating. For quite some time, actually. It’s not something I’m proud of, to say the least. You know that feeling you get when you let things pile up, and eventually, you just get to a point where you’re like, “I just can’t anymore. I can’t look at this. I can’t even deal with it.“

So you don’t deal with it because it all seems, well, a bit too overwhelming. And things continue to pile up. And pile up. And — you guessed it — pile up. You know you need to take control, which is why I’ve deemed this summer The Great Clean of 2013. My everything-needs-to-be-organized mind just can’t take it anymore — and neither can my mother and sister — so I’ve made it my mission to go through everything. And I won’t lie to you, friends, it’s not going to be pretty or easy — we’re talking at least three bins filled with assorted papers, magazines (some from 2011) and books. I’ve even let piles take shape around the house…

But! No more! This is it. By the end of the summer, I will have everything squared away (consider the shots above the “before” photos…). I can do it, if I just keep at it, and that’s where you come in, friends. I was reading an article about clutter in Family Circle a couple weeks ago, and professional organizer and author Dorothy Breininger suggests getting a purging partner — a friend or family member — to “hold you accountable.” I love that idea, and it really rings true and makes so much sense.

And that’s when I got an idea: Will you be my partners, friends? Here’s what I’m thinking: Every week or so, I’ll post an update on the progress I made during the course of that week. And if I didn’t do anything? Well, I’ll have to be honest and report that, too. How does that sound, friends? AND, if you’re determined to tackle any projects this summer, post about them in the comments. We’re all in this together, right? xoxo

P.S. And with that, I’m powering down for the night…we’ve got a tornado watch in the area! Oh, no!