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Family Life, the Universe and Everything with a Latte on the Side

Decluttering

Thursday, 4 May 2017

Makeup on a dressing table

After I decided to go cruelty-free, I went through my stash.  Partly to see if there was any non-cruelty things I could get rid of and partly because there was too much.  Which made me feel guilty because I wasn't using it and frustrated because I couldn't find things quickly.  So I decluttered and passed unwanted items on.  (Or binned them). This method works for pretty much any collection - clothes, shoes, toys - you want to downsize:

  • Prepare.  Get into the right frame of mind so you'll do a good job.  Allow enough time or just do sections.  
  • Get everything where you can see it.  This enables you to see how much there is and sort through it.
  • The icky.  Get rid of anything broken, tatty, that doesn't suit or is past it's use by date.  
  • If you haven't used it for x time, then get rid of it.  If you're not using it or you don't love it, it's taking up space.  Let someone else enjoy it.
  • Only keep what sparks joy.  Or is useful.  When you hold something, you know if it sparks joy or is useful.  The lipsticks spark joy and are useful.  The eyeshadow that I dropped on the floor and never got round to sticking back together, not so much.  
  • Clean.  Clean things before putting them back or passing them on.  Decluttering is really grubby work.
  • Store.  There are two schools of thought on this one.  Either look at what's left and buy new storage if it won't fit in what you already have.  Or assume it's a sign you still have too much so keep going! I tend to do the latter.  We've always lived in small houses where space is precious. Rev T's job means we move regularly so we declutter so we don't take unwanted items with us.  But objects make a borrowed house a home so we want to keep the good stuff.  
  • Repeat.  Decluttering is an ongoing process and needs repeating every so often. I always feel lighter and happier afterwards.  And our space looks so much better.  Regular declutters seem quicker and easier.  Maybe because decluttering often makes you want less.  Unless it's the Tubblet's room.  There is no easy way to tackle that!  But in case of my makeup stash, I'm doing something different.  Project Pan.  Using stuff up and only replacing it as and when. No more new makeup for me until the Summer holiday.  

The other thing to keep in the back of your mind is "Why do I have this?"  

There always be things that don't quite answer the other questions. Wedding souvenirs, letters from loved ones, old photos, that weird ornament that reminds you of your gran ... There's always space for these things.  If you love something, or it brings back happy memories, keep it.  De-cluttering is getting rid of things that don't fit or aren't used, not treasured possessions.  I don't use my mum's old powder compact, but I'll never get rid of it.  Holding it reminds me of her as it's something she used everyday. 

Got any other decluttering tips?  Let me know in the comments.  I'd love to hear them. Seriously, I have a house to tidy!  Room by room, drawer by drawer ... A little bit at a time. I'll share what else we've done in other posts as we get there.
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Living Beauty, Simple
Posted by Tubbs

42 comments

  1. Unknown4 May 2017 at 10:50

    I try to have a declutter every so often but I am guilty of keeping so much of my children's 'memories' such as drawings they've done, letters written, things they've made and birthday cards! Good tips x
    #SharingTheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:03

      My kitchen cupboard doors are covered with the Tubblet's drawings. And I have lots of birthday cards too. It's hard to get rid of these these things

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  2. Talya4 May 2017 at 12:38

    We just had a huge declutter which was spurred on by the fact we had a massive moth infestation but there is a silver lining to everything because it felt so good to sort it all out! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely x

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:04

      It does feel good to sort things out, but moths! Ewwww! Hope you've got rid of them all and they don't come back

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  3. Jodie's Touch of Style4 May 2017 at 14:01

    I love getting rid of things and decluttering!!
    But there are times it's harder to get rid of things--like lipstick---I need every color imaginable, right?
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:05

      I used to think that, but now I've found I don't. Took me a while though!

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  4. Musings of a tired mummy...zzz...4 May 2017 at 18:39

    It feels great to clear away every so often, like a fresh start :) #sharingthebloglove

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:07

      It does. I love a good clear out. And you do find the most unexpected things!

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  5. Kim Carberry5 May 2017 at 14:13

    Fantastic tips. I am so rubbish at decluttering. I like to keep things for just in case situations. lol I need to take more notice of blog posts like this! #PoCoLo

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:07

      I'm a terrible just in caser as well. You never know when something will come in useful!

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  6. UKYankee5 May 2017 at 16:42

    Great tips! Especially the one about dusting things before you put them back! I classify myself as minimalist and am totally on board with what you say about the Storage question. Generally, if it doesn't fit, I don't need it! #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:09

      It's amazing how grubby and dirty you get cleaning. Glad it's not just me about the storage :)

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  7. chickenruby5 May 2017 at 17:14

    I'm always decluttering, but what i do is put things I'm not using in a box in the garage and if i don't think about it or go to use it for a month i throw it away/donate to charity

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:11

      That's a really good idea and I'd do that if we had more space. We tend to get rid of things quickly

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  8. Lexie @ mommyhomemanager.com5 May 2017 at 17:17

    I like the question "why do I have this?" I also try "when is the last time I used this?"
    I need to do some major decluttering in my home right now!
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:12

      That's a really good question! Pinching that one for the next declutter. Thank you

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  9. Su6 May 2017 at 18:43

    These are such good steps forward. I am also a hoarder of things. I just don't have time to de-clutter. Honestly - that is the only reasons - as much as I love to de-clutter - I just can't fin time. Really - I'm not trying to make any excuses. ;) Thank you again for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost xx

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:13

      I must admit, it takes me ages to work my way through the house. I do a load and then nothing for ages. It is difficult finding time. Thank you for hosting each week :)

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  10. Unknown6 May 2017 at 21:47

    I've been doing lots of decluttering recently. my top tip is that 'everything has a home' We now have two clutter free rooms in the house!! Thanks for linking up with us at #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:13

      So true! Sometimes the trick is finding the home. Thank you for hosting each week

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  11. The Queen of Collage6 May 2017 at 22:16

    With two little ones I'm finding that doing a bit at a time really helps. I try to do a room a day but end up dealing with the kids room and living room constantly! A tip that I'd like to pass on is use see through storage where you can. #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:14

      See through storage is brilliant - it's great being able to see what's where. Thank you

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  12. Awaybies6 May 2017 at 23:56

    I always need to declutter, thanks for reminding me and the tips! #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:14

      My pleasure! Glad it's helped

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  13. Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons7 May 2017 at 20:08

    I'm terrible for hanging onto things so I need to declutter on a pretty regular basis! But I completely agree - I always feel so much better afterwards (even if there are things that I'm reluctant to throw out at the time!) My worst problem is hanging onto clothes that don't fit anymore / are in bad condition, because of the memories that they hold. I just don't have the space to do that! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs7 May 2017 at 20:15

      I do the same! I have a few things that I'll never fit into again, but I keep them because when I was wearing them. Glad it's not just me

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  14. thisiswhereitisat7 May 2017 at 20:42

    Do love a good clear out now and again, I find it really helps the soul X

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    1. Tubbs10 May 2017 at 09:34

      It does. It's weird, but I always feel so much better after a good declutter

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  15. Unknown8 May 2017 at 14:27

    I am terrible and as much as i hate clutter I'm rubbish at clearing out. I'm definitely going to follow your tips. I'm in need to do it asap. Thank you for sharing with #StayClassyMama

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    1. Tubbs10 May 2017 at 09:34

      Hope they work for you and thank you for hosting each week

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  16. Laura - Dear Bear and Beany9 May 2017 at 21:25

    We moved house at Christmas and this forced me to have a good clear out and I promised myself that I would keep on top of it. But it's so hard to do! Clothes is my worst thing. My husband will throw clothes out before he buys new. I just keep everything and buy new!! Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs10 May 2017 at 09:36

      When we moved from our last place, we got rid of so much the charity shop people would say hello to us when they saw us out and about ... Which shows just how often they saw us in those last few weeks! That reminds me, I really need to go through my clothes again ...

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  17. Rhi10 May 2017 at 04:01

    I need a really good declutter but I'm terrible at thinking "I might need that" and holding onto stuff. One day I will master this, I'll try your tips to do it.

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    1. Tubbs10 May 2017 at 09:36

      Good luck! I also worry sometimes that I'll toss something and need it the next week. So hard!

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  18. Unknown10 May 2017 at 14:02

    I think it's key to see everything at once and to keep doing it, otherwise it'll all be back again beore we know it! Quite therapeutic though once it's done, thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

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    1. Tubbs11 May 2017 at 09:18

      Blooming stuff breeds as soon as my back is turned! Thank you for hosting each week :)

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  19. Mrs Mummy Harris10 May 2017 at 18:53

    i am such a hoarder but every now and then I go and clear out every now and again! and then go hoard some more hahaha! #stayclassymama

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    1. Tubbs11 May 2017 at 09:20

      I'm the same! Trying to be better by buying less stuff in the first place, but ...!

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  20. Mummy in a Tutu10 May 2017 at 20:29

    we're moving in 2 weeks and I am having to declutter which is killing me!!
    Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime Don't forget to join us again next week!

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    1. Tubbs11 May 2017 at 09:21

      Better that way than packing it all up, taking it with you and then unpacking it all the other end! Good luck with the move. Hope it all goes well :)

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  21. Peachy and Clementine10 May 2017 at 22:56

    It's amazing how stuff just acculumates. Where does it all come from? #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs11 May 2017 at 09:22

      It breeds. I'm convinced of it ... Hope your weather is better now and you're both able to get out and about

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