Decluttering for the Summertime: Week 1
Typically, there are two times of the year when I really feel compelled to deep-clean: the start of the calendar year and the start of the school year. However, I am shaking things up and working on a pre-summer clean-up for the remainder of this month.
Why?
Because it seems like sometimes God and the universe are trying to tell you something. Gretchen Rubin, an author I greatly admire, wrote about being clutter-blind on her blog this past week, and it has me thinking a lot about the physical chaos that surrounds our family. Then, the following day, I read a post from Tsh Oxenreider — another blogger I love — about how she’s spending the next three weeks getting the house in order for the summer months.
I love Tsh’s approach because it seems a bit more laid back than some of the more intense clean-out-every-nook-and-cranny decluttering challenges I’ve seen. This is just three weeks to touch on some of the major messy areas of the house.
Up first is the kids’ clutter.
I’m not going to worry about the big kids. Their mess is their mess as far as I’m concerned. Instead, I’m focusing on the two little ones. I sorted through their clothes last month when I got them a new dresser so that leaves only books and toys to contend with.
Let’s take a look at the damage in these totally real-life (as in, I didn’t straighten or touch a thing) photos:
There are also some books and toys in the basement, but the 3 year-old is watching a movie down there right now and as all moms know, you NEVER bother a 3 year-old when she is preoccupied.
I’m giving myself a whole lot of grace to fail at this and keeping my expectations very low. I’m hoping to spend 15 minutes a day and maybe/hopefully/perhaps complete the following:
- Clear out the mess under the TV and move all the toys to the toy box in the bedroom.
- Weed through the books and toss all those in tatters.
- Discard all the random toy parts and puzzle pieces I find.
- Decide whether to allow the kids to store their stuffed animals under the table or find a new home for them.
- Straighten the closet.
See, so simple. And yet, I will be very impressed with myself if I get this all done by Saturday. Single parents, you know what I mean, right?
If all goes well (knock on wood), I’ll have after photos to share on Saturday or Monday.
Do you do any extra cleaning or decluttering before the kids are home for summer break?
Julie C
May 19, 2016Love this post. Thanks for linking to it on the art of simple.
Tennille - Two Kids And A Budget
June 11, 2016Every year I get the bug to declutter in the sprig. I take a look around and think Yikes how did we accumulate so much stuff over a short amount of time. My husband knows that he is going to be extra busy until the declutter bug works its way out of my system and out of our house!
This year it has been especially bad as we are due to have twins in September (excepting they will arrive in August) have two older boys ages 5 1/2 almost 6 and a 4 year old and live in a 1,025 sq ft house. Finding room for two more people, even little ones, in an already cramped house is hard.
I love that you have shared real life photos of your home through this cleaning/decluttering journey you are undergoing. It’s great to see real life being lived and in progress! I’m loving your blog and so glad I found it.
Maryalene LaPonsie
June 13, 2016Thanks so much for your nice comments Tennille!
It’s crazy how fast the clutter accumulates, isn’t it?! We’re in a bigger house now, but our old house was just under 1,200 square feet. We moved after my husband died, but for a while we had seven people crammed in there. I love the concept of living in less space, but practically speaking, it’s tough. We had the baby with us, three boys in one room and my oldest daughter had a room about the size of a walk-in closet. What killed me was the lack of closets so everything was always in view and within reach of little hands. All that is to say, you have my sympathies!
But still: twins! How exciting and congratulations!!
Maryalene