Summertime Decluttering: Week 2
Last week, I started following along with Tsh Oxenreider of The Art of Simple in some pre-summer decluttering. You can find my post with last week’s decluttering plans here.
Now, you may recall I said I was giving myself a lot of space to fail at this. But let’s not dwell on what I didn’t accomplish. Instead, let’s look at this closet:
First off, please note that this closet was in tiptop shape last Thursday. I should have taken the after photo then. The clothes were neat, the books were straight and the toys were organized. However, since then, my Mom has thrown random items on the shelves, and the kids have proven the ability to line up books still eludes them.
While we’re talking about this closet, can we discuss its very odd configuration? We bought this house from a sweet older couple who raised five children of their own here. The husband had done much of the work in the house, and I am guessing he made this closet.
It’s a neat idea – looks like a DIY modular closet – but in practice, I’m not sure what to do with it. The middle section is adjustable and maybe was made for shoes? The shelves on the sides look like they were meant to be adjustable too, but there really isn’t any other way to configure them. See that rod in the upper left corner? I don’t understand why there is a shelf right under it. What on earth could they possibly hang in that little space?
So here’s a chance for a little audience participation: What would you do with this closet space? I am so not design-savvy and am all ears when it comes to your suggestions!
But on to this week!
Over at The Art of Simple, Tsh cleaned out her clothes, toiletries (not my favorite word either) and books.
I have been steadily purging my clothes for the past 6 months so I don’t feel the need to work on those. That leaves toiletries and books. Let’s take a look at my current situation in all its messy glory.
This bathroom cabinet has been on my to-do list for about three years. A lot of what’s in here is old and expired – i.e. things my Mom brought from her old house to her apartment and then from her apartment to this house. There are also way too many mismatched bed sheets. (It’s a favorite thrift store find for my Mom). And of what’s left, I need to decide what I might actually use and what’s a fantasy.
As for the bookshelves, the top one houses my personal collection. At one time, I also had boxes of books on the floor next to it. I’ve actually gone through them three times since we’ve moved and given away enough for a small library. However, I still struggle with giving away books I haven’t read (they might be great!) and ones that were gifted to me.
I used to keep everything I read too but have hit the point where I’m ok letting those books go because I rarely re-read anything. The only exceptions are Tom’s Harry Potter books. Even if I didn’t think the kids would read them, I think I’ll keep those forever.
The bottom photo is a bookshelf in the basement. When we moved in, my goal was to keep all the books in the basement living area. However, my Mom (who, if you haven’t already figured it out, is my decluttering nemesis) lives by the motto that “more is better.” In the three years we’ve lived here, she’s added three bookshelves, two end tables and a couple chairs to the living room. Slowly, the books have migrated upstairs (and yet, miraculously, this bookshelf remains full).
So here’s my dilemma: I really want to consolidate the upstairs books to this downstairs shelf. However, getting rid of the upstairs bookshelf will leave a hole in the living room that I know my Mom will feel compelled to fill. My thought is it might be best to cry uncle and consolidate the books to upstairs instead.
Stay tuned for next week’s exciting post in which we will discover if Maryalene was able to:
- Declutter and purge the bathroom cabinet
- Purge her personal bookshelf so all the books actually fit
- Consolidate the two main living space bookshelves
I know you will all be holding your breath to find out! 😉
What about you? Any purging or decluttering going on in your house this week?