Decluttering

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.