Those shoes are so last summer. You know you need to haul everything out of your closet, but where do you begin. And, the idea of ditching those old shirts and – gasp – that dress you wore just once to a wedding, seems unfathomable. Yet, it must be done. Just like plucking your brows, this needs to be done in a quick and decisive motion, or it’s going to hurt.
Set The Mood
You know how to move on with your life? Spring clean your life, that’s how. First things first. You must set the mood. If you’re not in the mood, it ain’t happening. Create an environment that’s stress-free. Open your curtains and blinds and let the light of truth reveal the results of being a packrat.
Make sure you’re dressed in comfy clothes – you’re going to get sweaty and feel dirty afterwards. It always happens. Also, grab something to drink, like mint tea or something else that’s refreshing. You want to stay calm and hydrated during the process.
Break Up Large Tasks Into Smaller Ones
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed, so here’s how to avoid that – divide and conquer. You want to break up large tasks into smaller ones. If you’ve got a bedroom, a closet, a living room, and a kitchen to tackle, start with just one room.
Get a piece of paper, whip out a white board, or fire up your favorite spreadsheet app on your computer. Write down all areas to be cleansed and sorted. Start with one room or area and go with it.
Sort
Sort everything into three piles: “yes,” “no,” and “maybe.” The “maybe” pile is the most dangerous of them all, because it seems like you’re not making a decision about it. You are, but you’re delaying it. The “yes” pile will be everything that you will keep. The “no” pile is what you will get rid of.
After you’re done with the “no” pile, it’s time to attack the “maybe” pile. Sort this pile into either “yes” or “no.” Yes, you have to ask yourself tough questions. Yes it’s going to be hard. But, here’s a general rule. If you haven’t used or worn something in over a year, odds are it belongs in the “no” pile, unless it’s clearly a piece of memorabilia or a family heirloom.
That ex’s old t-shirt? Yeah, that goes into the “no” pile. C’mon. You have to get rid of the past – it will not only cleanse your house, but it will cleanse your soul. The past is in the past, and it will never happen again.
If you’re cleaning out your makeup bag, get rid of brushes and pencils that are useless. You know the ones – the brush with half its bristles missing or the pencil that’s now just a stub of its former self.
Ditch any moisturizers that smell funny. If you’ve ever had an eye infection, ditch everything and start over.
Get Real(istic)
You can’t keep everything. Being realistic about what you will keep and use and what you won’t or can’t is a tough thing for some people to deal with. You have to be especially honest and focused to get through this project. You know yourself best. Trust your own judgment. Be firm, but fair, with yourself.
Organize What’s Left
Your “yes’ pile is probably going to be rather small if you’ve done a good job. Organize it and put everything away where it belongs.
Burn The Bridge
Time to take out the trash. Haul your old stuff down to Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Say goodbye to it forever.
Treat Yourself To Something New
Now that you’ve extracted the old from your life, it’s time to treat yourself to something new. Go out and spend some money on a new outfit. Congratulations. You made it.