I hope the last blog, part 1 of this series, began to inspire you to start the decluttering/spring cleaning of your home.

I promise, once you start the process it’s like a snowball pushing you further and further toward your goal. You’ve just got to start and then you won’t want to stop!

One tip I shared last time was to go to each room and write down what you could do to that room to make it better: should that room be free of clutter; more organized; more decorated or just cleaner? We rush through life so fast (especially you moms) that we need to take the time to just look at our home and see if there is something that should be changed.

I’m embarrassed by what I just realized as I looked at my home! I have lived in this home for almost 23 years and realized that my bathroom drawers are still holding large hair bows that I used years ago! Why haven’t I cleared them out so that I could use the space for items I do use? So, on my to-do list is to “buy small, clear bins” where I will put all the items I don’t use anymore and store them on a closet shelf or give them away. I’m also going to go through all the other drawers and all my makeup (why do we have SO much?!) and get rid of all this clutter!!!

The result will be a bathroom that will be clutter-free, clean, and organized, and where I will be able to see what I have.

Action Plan

So, let’s concentrate on getting rid of clutter so your home is light, airy, and only has the items you really love and use. Get rid of:

1. Expired cereal/crackers/spices/can goods from your pantry. Switch large boxes of food to airtight labeled containers. Make sure your kitchen pantry/cabinets are clean and organized.
2. All storage containers that you don’t use or are missing a lid, etc. All plastic items, such as forks/spoons are no longer used.
3. All items in the refrigerator/freezer are outdated. Make a label of what you do have in the freezer, so you won’t forget what’s there.
4. Old sponges, cleaning supplies, and laundry room items that you don’t use anymore. Free these spaces up! And give the kitchen a deep clean.
5. All old closet items. broken hangers, dry cleaner bags, shoe boxes and old shoes/belts/socks/underwear/clothes you won’t ever wear again. Go through all your kids’ closets and get rid of outgrown clothes. Put these in bins for safekeeping if you can pass them on. Check socks and underwear twice a year for replacement.
6. Go through all the bathrooms in your home and clear out anything old/outdated as well as do a deep clean.
7. Look through all your toys, craft supplies and games no longer used.
8. Dirty air filters – change these at least twice a year. Have a reminder on your phone or calendar.
9. Get rid of old toothbrushes, which should be changed 2 to 4 times a year. (I use my twice-a-year dental cleaning as a reminder to change the toothbrush head on my electric toothbrush as well as replace my standard one).
10. Any books or cookbooks that you don’t want anymore. Also, any paperwork, newspapers, and old menus from restaurants. Keep papers you do want in labeled files.
11. All electronic items such as cables, wires, and remotes. Either get rid of them or place like items together in bins.
12. Old paint and batteries. Make sure you deposit them in proper disposal bins.
13. Dead plants, tired silk flowers and arrangements and any decoration that is dated or you don’t like anymore.
14. Old or expired makeup and beauty samples.
15. Any item for your pets that are not used anymore, especially dog blankets and toys that need to be cleaned or thrown away.

I know this is a long list. So please don’t be overwhelmed! The goal is to do everything you can to get rid of anything that is old, broken, not used anymore, or doesn’t give you joy. Each room in your home should be a beautiful reflection of who you are and give you peace and contentment.

Manna from Heaven

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18