DECLUTTERING our rental house. In preparation for our BIG MOVE into Arrow Hill Cottage in 2019, our family is working on minimizing our belongings. Because… well, nobody wants to haul a bunch of things they won’t use to a new house.
We see our move as a clean slate of sorts, and it is our desire to live more simply and intentionally. If you are wanting the same for your family, consider subscribing to the Arrow Hill Cottage YouTube channel – where she is documenting our process. Perhaps you will be inspired.
SINGING our hearts out. The kids had so many programs in the month of December. We started right after Thanksgiving by singing at the fort with their school. They caroled around the community, and both {D} and {I} performed for the Jingle Bells Telethon.
Of course, there were plenty of school and Sunday School performances in the mix as well. Whew! It’s such a blessing to see them sharing their gifts with others.
CELEBRATING Christmas with extended family. Our group decided this year to go with a ‘no gifts’ event, and instead rent a house together – where we could hang out and play games, etc. This was absolutely the best decision ever. We all were so much more relaxed and enjoyed our time together immensely.
The weather was warm enough that we were able to spend time out on the frozen lake. Sled pulling, snow angel making, and attempted ice skating.
A very interesting thing happened. Not one of the 10 kids even ASKED about presents. We were all too busy having fun enjoying each other’s company. I’m loving this new tradition!
SHOVELING! A huge winter storm went through our area right after Christmas. It dumped over a foot of snow in our town, causing quite a mess! Poor Craig spent hours snowblowing the driveway, only to have it drift in by the morning.
The good news is that he was able to direct the snow toward the play fort, and the kids are creating their own sledding hill. If the weather ever warms up, they will use it.
The white snow sure does look beautiful though. Maybe a great reminder going into the New Year. Clean slates. New beginnings. We are so excited for 2019!
This is just a glimpse at what our family has been up to. If you’d like a closer look, be sure to check out our weekly ‘mini vlogs’ on our YouTube channel ARROW HILL FAMILY. Be well everyone!
A new year means a new perspective and goals for the future. Today I am outlining five minimalist resolutions that I am setting to start 2019 out on the right foot!
I have just finished up a four week series of declutter challenges. The process was hard work, but I have to admit that the house is looking pretty amazing. It’s impressive to see what even just one month of focused intention can do! I want to keep the momentum going into the new year, and have come up with a series of minimalist resolutions to help me reach my goal.
FIND INSPIRATION
Since we are just at the very beginning of our minimalism journey, it can be daunting at times to think about how far we have to go. Reading about others who have gone before us and seen success is going to be key. Finding inspiration is the first of my minimalist resolutions for the new year.
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases*
BOOKS
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I have been wanting to read this book for a while, as it has received many great reviews. The author, Marie Kondo, was the one who developed the KonMari decluttering method. I used that method for one of my declutter challenges and found it quite effective.
Marie’s philosophy on decluttering has to do with keeping only the items that bring you joy. She has partnered with Netflix to create an eight episode mini series, where she teaches others to use her techniques. The series starts on January first, and you can be sure I will be watching!
Minimalism for Families. Because we are a large family, I am particularly interested in techniques to help our brood along on this journey. This book got good reviews not only because of the practical tips that are offered, but also because it helps the reader understand the ‘why’ behind reducing clutter.
BLOGS
The Minimal Mom: The writer of the blog, Dawn, is a fellow Minnesotan. She and her husband are raising 4 kids, and I feel like she is super relate-able. They have gone through an extreme decluttering process that has resulted in a new and more simple way of life for their family. Dawn also has a great YouTube channel with many videos that further explain the techniques they use. I definitely recommend you check out their laundry system video – a unique approach that works for them!
YOU TUBE
Break the Twitch: Of course, there is a ton of videos about minimalism on YouTube, and it will surely serve as a source of inspiration in the new year. One channel that I have recently subscribed to and am loving is Break the Twitch. Anthony uses humor to teach about why mimimalism is effective. He shows his audience that mimimalism is more than just eliminating physical clutter. It also has to do with a mindset shift in order to live intentionally.
NO SPEND MONTH
My second resolution is in collaboration with another amazing YouTuber. Shannon Torrens and her family have been walking down the path toward minimalism for the past year or so. It is really impressive to see all that they have accomplished in such a short time! Follow along with their journey by visiting her channel.
Shannon and I both recognize that a challenge can be a great motivator to reach a goal. Because of this, we decided to make January a ‘no spend month’. We will attempt to buy only consumable products such as food and toiletries for the entire month of January.
Doing this for the first month of the new year will be a great way to reset our spending habits. It is also likely to be quite eye opening. I will be recording how many ‘want items’ went un-purchased as well as the amount of money that was saved.
I am personally calling this our ‘Happy (NO) New Year Challenge’. Feel free to join us!
I’m excited to have Shannon as my accountability partner this month. Be sure to view her personal New Years resolution video and blog post, and check back here at the end of January to see how we both did!
FINISH DECLUTTERING
Of all of my minimalist resolutions, this is likely to be the most challenging. We have lived in our rental farmhouse for over four years now. There are still boxes that remain unopened from our move, sitting in a storage closet. And, of course, we have accumulated more items during the time we have lived here. Because Arrow Hill Cottage is smaller than the rental house, we need to be very diligent about which items we decide to keep.
I would like to have the declutter process finished by the time we break ground on the new house. This adds a bit of urgency to this resolution. We should be breaking ground in the spring – April or May. That gives me only 3 or 4 months to get the job done.
Thankfully, the December challenges gave me a great jump start. I definitely plan to use some of the techniques I used to tackle the rest of the rooms in the rental house.
GARAGE SALE
My husband really hates garage sales. He doesn’t feel that they are with the effort. However, with all the decluttering that is about to happen, we will have plenty to sell!
I finally got him to accept the idea by mentioning that the proceeds from the sale could be used toward items for the new house. And so, the fourth of my minimalist resolutions is to have one big garage sale near the end of the summer.
It is likely that we will be preparing to move near the end of the summer, or early Fall. That just happens to be prime garage sale time in our area. We are currently storing all the items for the sale in a large upstairs closet we have lovingly named ‘the sell room.’ Everything will be moved out to the garage for the sale. Items that don’t sell will be immediately donated.
Not having to pack everything into boxes and move, then sort again at the new house, is considered a win-win in my book!
ONE IN ONE OUT
After the whole house declutter and massive garage sale, we need to move forward by keeping things clutter free. It would be the biggest disappointment to put in all the hard work only to fill up the new house.
And so, my final minimalist resolution for 2019 is to practice the one in / one out rule. Essentially this means that before bringing any new item into our home, I will think about which item it will be replacing. The replaced item will then be donated, so that we do not continue to accumulate over time.
Items should be of like value or type. For example, purchasing a brand new power tool and eliminating a small hair accessory would be bending the rules. My year round capsule wardrobe will be easy to keep in check, since I want to keep it at the same number of items.
It would be really extreme to catalog and number every single item in our entire home. Instead, I plan to always be mindful of the things we do own, so that we don’t end up with duplicate items that serve the same purpose.
Of course, there will be a period of time while we are setting up the new house with bedding, curtains, and some new furniture. This will be the exception to the rule however, and for the most part this process should be complete within a few months of moving in.
I’m excited to see how the one in / one out mentality helps me to think critically about which items are brought into our home.
THOUGHTS ON MY MINIMALIST RESOLUTIONS
We are filled with hope and anticipation going into 2019. Our family has been dreaming about building our forever house for years and years. Knowing that it is finally going to become a reality is beyond exciting.
Not only will the house be a special tailor-made place for our family to live, it will also be a clean slate for us. A chance to start over in some respects, and to create the family life we have been craving. A slower paced, intentional outlook on life – where we have deeper connections with one another. As our kids grow, these connections are going to be even more important.
I am hopeful that this year’s minimalism resolutions will be a jump start into even more positive changes in the coming years.
OTHER NEW YEARS GOALS
I have heard before that a goal is just a wish unless you write it down. And so as an effort to keep these things at the forefront of my mind, I am leaving them here to look back on when I need motivation.
Saying ‘no’ to events and commitments that add unnecessary stress
Waking up each day with a positive attitude and clear mind
Cooking healthy meals for my family
FOR MY FAMILY
Spending more quality time together
Craig had an awesome idea, which we will be implementing on January 1st. We are calling it ‘Screen Free Saturday’. On the first Saturday of each month we will shut off all of our devices and connect as a family. We envision cooking all of our meals together, playing board games, and just getting to know each other better. Everyone in the family is really looking forward to this!
Reading books together
Leading up to Christmas, I read an advent story book aloud to the family. The kids all enjoyed it so much that they were constantly asking for me to read extra each night. I think it would be fun to start a book series that all of our children, ages 5 to 12, could understand and be interested in. One option I have thought of is the Little House on the Prairie Series. If you have any recommendations for captivating books in this age range, please let me know!
Celebrating the value that each member brings to the family
As a large family, it is sometimes difficult for each member to find their place. Even though it isn’t intended, some members definitely receive more attention than others. I would love to do some family exercises that could help us each recognize that even though we are all different, we bring something unique that helps our family as a whole.
FOR THE BLOG
I am hopeful that the things I have learned in 2018 will help me to grow the blog even more in the coming year. More specifically, I am going to be working on putting out great content that will be helpful to my readers. This minimalism journey that our family is on will be a big source of topics for the blog, but I will also be writing about healthy meals, organizing tips, and of course home design ideas.
Are you making New Years Resolutions? If so, I would love to hear about them and encourage you throughout the year! Here’s to a wonderful 2019!
Clothes have a way of sticking around and cluttering closets and drawers. This week I attempted to build my very first capsule wardrobe, as the fourth challenge in the December Declutter!
Welcome back to the fourth and final week of the December Declutter Challenge! This month I have already completed a Konmari declutter of our Christmas Decor, a speed declutter, and a deep cleaning of one room, top to bottom. Today I am sharing how I decluttered my clothing in an attempt to create my first capsule wardrobe.
CAPSULE WARDROBE PRINCIPLES
The main idea behind the capsule wardrobe is to fill your closet with clothing items you like and that you like on your body. Though the term was coined in the 1970’s by Susie Faux, the concept has become even more popular in recent years. With people busier than ever, overwhelmed by their lives and jobs, minimalism has gained recognition as a way to slow down and simplify. Capsule wardrobes are in line with minimalism techniques.
A typical capsule wardrobe includes between 25 and 50 pieces. Some include enough pieces for year round wear, while others offer a seasonal selection only. The great thing about a capsule wardrobe is that it is personalized to fit each individual. As such, the rules can vary from person to person.
MY CAPSULE WARDROBE RULES
Because we live in the Midwest, we experience dramatic temperature changes with each season. My wardrobe has to incorporate shorts as well as sweaters. For this reason, I opted to allow my capsule to include the maximum number of fifty pieces.
This will be a full year capsule wardrobe. I chose not include jewlery/scarves, pjs, or outerwear (coats, snow boots, etc.) Even so, I attempted to minimize the number of items in these categories to a combined twenty. Undergarments were not included in any item totals.
My long term goal for this challenge is to actually use the clothing I have. To create different outfit combinations with a minimal amount of items. I want to get to the point that I love everything in my closet.
CLOTHING CLUTTER (BEFORE)
My husband and I share a teeny tiny closet that is built into the eaves at our rental farmhouse. It was pretty well stuffed to the brim on the hanging bar.
We also had some bins on the closet floor that held bulkier items such as pants and sweatshirts. And I had one dresser drawer plump full of workout and lounging clothes.
SORT THROUGH THE CLOTHING
I used a method outlined on the website The Penny Hoarder when sorting through my clothing. The first step involved gathering all clothing items and footwear in one area, similar to what is done in the KonMari method.
Taking every item out of the closet, drawer and bins and laying them all on the bed was a huge eye opener to me. It was a massive pile of clothing. Considering that I can only wear one outfit at a time, I would say it’s obvious that I had far too many clothes.
The next step in the process is to sort all of the clothing items into three separate piles. One pile for items that you love, your favorites. Another pile for items that you like, and a final pile of items that you are certain you no longer need. Clothing that doesn’t fit properly or has stains/tears should go into the third pile.
Even if at one time the pieces were your favorites, if they don’t fit or are damaged do you really want to include them in your minimal wardrobe?
After my sorting was complete I was left with quite a few items that were destined to be sold or donated. I went ahead and bagged them up straight away. In this way, I wasn’t tempted to go back through those items searching for something to keep.
FINE TUNE THE SELECTIONS
The two remaining piles including clothing pieces that I love, and those that I like. At this point I needed to do some more critical thinking. I thought about which items could be used in multiple ways to form various outfits. I thought about how many seasons each piece would be useful in. Further sorting through these two piles back and forth, I was able to narrow down my capsule wardrobe to the pre-set 50 pieces.
HANG UP FAVORITES
My favorites were then hung back into the closet. I tend to arrange my clothing in color categories and by sleeve length.
Because this is my first capsule wardrobe, I decided to keep a ‘back up’ of 16 items that were from my maybe pile. These clothing pieces were placed into a bin and are stored in the back of my closet for the moment. If, after 365 days none have been needed, they will be moved into the donation bags.
While I am learning the ins and outs of my particular capsule wardrobe, I am giving myself lots of flexibility and the freedom to make fine tuning decisions. For example, I may find that I need fewer long sleeve/ winter items but more short sleeve options.
Each time a new item is added, either from my back up pile or purchased new from a store, one of the items in my capsule must be set aside. This will allow me to keep the item count consistent throughout the year.
I am hopeful that after a full year using these fifty items that I will have a good handle on what I need and use most often.
WATCH ME CREATE A CAPSULE WARDROBE
Take a virtual tour of my clothing before, and watch me declutter my clothing to create my very first capsule wardrobe!
MY CAPSULE WARDROBE SELECTIONS
I will admit that this was probably the most difficult of all the challenges I was faced with this month. Perhaps it has something to do with the intimate nature of clothing, which causes a person to become attached more easily.
Even still, it was an exciting exercise. I personally am really looking forward to knowing that everything in my closet fits and is useful. My final capsule wardrobe includes the following 50 items:
FOOTWEAR
7 pairs total: 2 flats, 2 boots, 1 casual canvas, 1 nicer pair of sneakers, 1 pair of running shoes.
Probably my favorite part of the entire challenge was coming up with different outfit ideas with the smaller number of pieces. These are just a few of the options that I am excited to wear!
I love how most of the items can be either dressed up or down depending on how they are paired and with different accessories. For example, a basic t-shirt can be worn with a pair of shorts or yoga pants for a comfortable casual look. The same shirt can also be dressed up with a scarf and nicer shoes.
I plan to print off index card sized pictures of outfit options. These cards can then be placed on a binder ring and stored in my dresser. That way, if at any time I feel that I have ‘nothing to wear’, I will have visual outfit inspiration!
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS CHALLENGE
This challenge was eye opening for sure. If you had asked me before how many total clothing items I had, I doubt I would have thought I owned even fifty total. The truth is that I had nearly two hundred. Essentially, this exercise cut my wardrobe in less than half.
While having a final item count might seem restrictive to some people, I actually found it useful. Knowing that I couldn’t go over my predetermined number caused me to really think about which pieces I wanted to hang onto.
I also found it surprising that the items I chose to keep in my capsule wardrobe shared a lot of similarities. Apparently, I enjoy wearing comfortable pieces that are generally plain or have small patterns/prints. There are also quite a few striped items that made the cut. Color wise, there is a definite palette of favorites – something I never realized before!
My side of the closet is in order and looking awesome. Perhaps for this reason, my husband has given me the green light to tackle his wardrobe next. I call that a declutter win!
PIN THESE IDEAS FOR LATER
Are you ready to tackle a clothing declutter and create a capsule wardrobe of your own?
Join me for the third installation of the December Declutter series. This week I attempted a One Room Challenge, deep cleaning one room in our home. Read on to see how I did!
Welcome to Week #3 of the December Declutter challenge. During this month, I am tackling various challenges to help us sort through our household belongings. Our end goal is to bring only those with great value and purpose to our new home, Arrow Hill Cottage.
I have previously taken on a KonMari declutter of our family’s Christmas decorations, and performed a speed declutter – finding 60 items in 60 minutes to either donate or sell. While both of these techniques were effective and freeing, neither provided a radical visual improvement to any one space. The One Room Challenge is different.
ONE ROOM CHALLENGE PRINCIPLES
The basic idea behind the One Room Challenge is to, obviously, focus on one room only. Decluttering and cleaning efforts should be concentrated in that space to create an environment that is functional and pleasing to look at. Because the entire room will be sorted through, decluttered and organized, it is also a great time to do a deep cleaning.
OUR ROOM CHOICE
Of all the rooms in our rental farmhouse, the mudroom is by far the one that becomes cluttered most often. In actuality, it is a multi purpose space. It is the entrance point into our home, as well as a laundry room. And, because our only bathroom on the main floor is very small and located on the other side of the house, we also use the space to get ready in the morning.
It is a hard working room, to say the least. So it isn’t a huge surprise that it gets cluttered easily.
THE CLUTTER PROBLEM (BEFORE)
Keep in mind that we are renting this farmhouse. It was built in the 1920’s and later remodeled in the 1960’s. The style of finishes isn’t what we would have chosen, nor is the layout of the rooms. As renters, we have no ability to change these features. However, we don’t have a great excuse as to why the clutter has gotten so bad, except that we haven’t kept on top of it.
You can see a video tour of what the space looked like before the cleaning, later in this post. First though, I will share a couple of the more difficult aspects I was facing when starting the One Room Challenge.
LOW THRESHOLD
The floor in the front entry has been built up over the years with layer upon layer of linoleum, meaning that there is very little threshold. Because of this, there is no way that a welcome mat can be placed in front of the door. This becomes a problem in the winter months when the Midwestern skies open up in all of their snowy glory.
We have, at times, resorted to throwing a few bath towels down so that we don’t immediately slip when walking through the door. Tacky, yes. Functional, kind of. We are looking for a more permanent and eye pleasing solution.
LAUNDRY SHELF
Flat spaces seem to be a magnet for clutter. As you can see, our laundry shelf is no exception. While I had Craig add this soon after we moved in, as a place to temporarily set folded clothes, it has become a catchall. It seems that any random knickknack that didn’t have a place anywhere else found a home here.
Worse yet, our family’s toothbrushes were also stored here because it is the most convenient and accessible space to brush our teeth.
WATCH ME DEEP CLEAN AND DECLUTTER
The room needed a lot of work, and an entire afternoon of focused concentration. Take a look at what it looked like before, and watch me whip it into shape!
THE RESULTS (AFTER)
I am absolutely thrilled with the way the room looks now. More importantly, our entire family is happy with the way the space now functions.
The entryway rug, pulled away from the door a bit, is a place where we can step while we take off our shoes. It is simple, yet pretty. Goodbye old towels!
The drawers were thoroughly decluttered, and then organized with our everyday essentials. An inexpensive cutlery tray was the perfect fit for the top drawer, which now is a clean and safe spot for our toothbrushes. Each family member, besides the girls who do all of their brushing upstairs with help, has their own divided space. The perfect size for a toothbrush, flosser, and personal chap-stick.
The second drawer was emptied of the many reusable and disposable plastic bags that it housed. Smaller bins were placed in the drawer, and organized with personal care products.
Perhaps the greatest visual improvement is the open shelf. With all of the clutter gone, the vintage clothes wringer and steam iron take center stage. Two houseplants serve to soften the space, as well as camouflage oddly placed outlets. And my antique window adds a bit of charm.
The room is bright and clutter free, and I think it seems larger than before!
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS CHALLENGE
I have to say that it feels great to have this one room cleaned top to bottom. Even though the rest of the house has a lot of decluttering left to do, this room is like a breath of fresh air. Because it is the first space we enter in our home, the impact is even greater. It now brings a smile to my face rather than anxiety. That’s a great ‘welcome home’ feeling.
I do have a few words of advice if you would like to take on the One Room Challenge for yourself.
Depending on the size of the room you take on, this may be an all day or multiple day exercise. In order to achieve a true deep clean, you want to allocate enough time.
Also, know that when items are removed from one room they may make their way into another. In our case, most items that I didn’t want to keep in the space were put into the garbage or a donation bin. But there were a few things that we have yet to decide the fate on. They were moved into another room, for now.
I definitely appreciated the finality of this challenge. I could see using the same technique on other rooms in the future, until each has been gone through. The Spruce has some great tips on how to tackle each type of room. Until then, we are going to focus on keeping this one room clutter free and organized, because it feels great!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
If you are thinking about taking on your own One Room Challenge, but aren’t quite ready to dive in quite yet, pin this image as a reminder!
It’s Week TWO of my December Declutter Challenge! Follow along as I attempt to speed declutter my house using the 60 in 60 technique!
Last week, I decluttered our entire Christmas decoration collection, using the KonMari method. That was an effective technique, and we were left with only our favorites, which made decorating a breeze! This week I am trying a brand new method of decluttering, one that involves quick decisions. It is called the 60 in 60 challenge.
60 IN 60 BASIC PRINCIPLE
Essentially, this is a speed declutter challenge. The idea is to set a timer for 60 minutes, then use that time to find 60 (or more) items to donate or sell. While doing this challenge, do not look for items that could be thrown. That would be too easy! Instead, find items that you are no longer using, but might have value to somebody else.
WHAT YOU NEED
There are only two things you will need to complete this speed declutter challenge. A timer, or a clock, and a basket or box to put your found items in. I personally chose an egg timer to count down my minutes. This allowed me to pause the task if I was interrupted, which I was. Several times.
SPEED DECLUTTER TECHNIQUE
While the KonMari method suggests that you pull similar items out of their storage spots before you begin sorting, this challenge is almost the opposite. Drawers are to be opened, closets rummaged through. Honestly, it feels like a bit of a scavenger hunt! Decisions are to be made quickly and on the spot.
My speed declutter challenge found me digging through bins in our storage closet, drawers in my kitchen, and our shoe rack, among other spots.
WATCH ME SPEED DECLUTTER
It’s amazing how quickly a person can make decluttering decisions when a time limit is involved! Check out all the items that made it into my basket!
ITEMS THAT WILL BE DONATED
The basket filled up pretty quickly. As a result, I eventually needed to start setting items on my bed. Though I didn’t count as I went through the process, I was surprised to find that I had set aside exactly 60 items! That could not have been planned any better if I tried! Here are a few of the items that will be sold or donated.
This high quality Pottery Barn bedding has been taking up space in our linen closet since we moved into the rental farmhouse. Because we do not currently have a guest bedroom, and do not have plans for one at Arrow Hill Cottage, it is time this bedding becomes useful for someone else.
We are a large family of seven, and this smaller crock pot just doesn’t get much use. To make meals for our crew, we need the jumbo sized version, which we already own.
As our youngest child grows, I am steadily going through the clothing that no longer fits her. These shoes, for example, still have a lot of life in them. For another little girl.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS CHALLENGE
I will admit that I was a bit nervous starting this challenge. We have been decluttering our home over the past few months. We even have an entire storage closet dedicated to items for our upcoming summer garage sale. Because of this, I was worried that it would be difficult to find 60 items that we could easily part with.
I was wrong! Once I started to open cabinet doors and drawers, I was finding items that I didn’t even remember existed. If they had been hiding for months, or in some cases even years, it was obvious that they were not necessary to keep. Into the basket they went!
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to this challenge was that I couldn’t finish what I started. Because this is a speed declutter, there was not time for me to thoroughly sort through each space I looked. In some ways, that aspect was hard on my brain. For example, it is a bit of mental burden knowing that my kitchen is still filled with many items that we don’t need.
Certainly though, this feeling will help me remember to go back and finish, which is a good thing!
In conclusion, I feel that this speed declutter challenge was a quick win toward my overall simplifying goals. I would definitely recommend that you give it a try!
Join me next week, when I take on a new challenge for the December Declutter!
Join me as I begin a four week decluttering challenge for the month of December. My first challenge is a KonMari declutter of our Christmas decorations.
It’s no secret that this time of year gets busy. Extra busy. In years past, we have been right in on the action. Buying all the gifts. Attending all the parties. Hanging all the twinkle lights. This year though, we are attempting to slow down and be truly mindful of the special nature of this season.
Our family is on a journey toward simplicity in all aspects of life. Because of this, we are also attempting to be more mindful of the things that surround us. We want to be faced with less stuff, so that we can enjoy more life.
For the month of December, I will be attempting one declutter challenge each week. It is my hope that by the end of the month, and the start of the new year, we will have cleared our spaces and our minds a bit.
I am starting in week number one with a pretty obvious first step, the Christmas decorations.
DECORATING IN YEARS PAST
Each year, our typical first step to decorating for Christmas is pulling all of the items out of storage. Multiple bins are hauled into the room where the tree will be set up. Then, we proceed to dig through each one, in an effort to determine which items will brighten up the room and the tree.
Ironically, but maybe not so coincidentally, we almost always go for the same things. Year after year, our favorites make it out of the bins. The rest is put back into storage.
NEW TECHNIQUE TO TRY
This year, I decided to go through all of the items BEFORE the decorating session begins. Once again, I pulled the items out of storage, but did so while the kids were at school. Without all of their little hands rummaging through the bins, I was able to slow down the pace a bit. This allowed me to hold each and every piece and give it consideration.
I used the Konmari declutter method. This organizing technique was developed by Marie Kondo and is quite popular among minimalists.
Ms. Kondo recommends that all items of a similar type be grouped together and laid out on a flat surface. This allows you to see the large amount of items that all serve essentially the same purpose. In my case, with the Christmas decorations, it was a pretty obvious visual that we had accumulated far more than was necessary for the job of decorating for the season.
Most organizing methods have you asking yourself which items can be thrown/ given away. A KonMari declutter is different in that you are supposed to focus instead on which items to keep. The end goal is that you will choose the items that bring you the most joy.
OUR JOYFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
With everything laid out in front of me, my focus was immediately drawn to my favorites. These items bring me the most joy or have the strongest memories.
I knew for sure that our Willow Tree Nativity Set would be kept. It is usually the first of the decorations to be put up each year. We love the simple details of each piece. And, it is the perfect visual reminder for our family of the true meaning of Christmas.
Another favorite item that I found is this antique angel Christmas tree topper, which was my absolute favorite as a little girl. I have plans to remove her wiring, and turn her into an ‘Advent Angel’ – the Christian alternative to Elf on the Shelf – as a new family tradition.
SORTING THROUGH THE ORNAMENTS
We had an entire box full of ornaments, most of which haven’t made it up on the tree for many years. Using the KonMari declutter method, I picked up each and every ornament. A quick decision was then made whether it would find it’s place in the keep pile, or the donation box.
While sorting, I found many precious ornaments that hadn’t been used for years because they were hidden. For example, this collection of fire department related ornaments.
My husband was on the fire department in our city for ten years. The department gifted him a special ornament each Christmas. We have always said that we would like to have a small tree to display the collection. Unfortunately, we have never actually done it. They will be saved, to be used at our new house.
WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT’S LEFT
After the KonMari declutter was complete, two large boxes of decorations were ready to be donated. In turn, we were left with only a handful of Christmas decor items, and a small bin of ornaments.
I decided to keep two vintage suitcases, one of which was my grandparent’s, to store the decorations in. Because they are hard-cased suitcases, I was able to discard most of the protective packaging for the breakable items. I opted instead to wrap them in light-weight bubble wrap. All of our decorations, minus one large basket and the Christmas tree, fit in these two suitcases.
They will be easy to store, and bring out each year when we are ready to decorate. Another benefit to having fewer items is that we will not be digging through multiple bins anymore.
DECORATING WITH LESS
A very interesting thing happened when the kids got home from school and were ready to decorate. Though the items that remained were far less, they were not at all upset. Instead, rather than rushing through the task in an effort to be the one who put the most ornaments on the tree, they slowed down. They took the time to observe each individual piece before finding it’s perfect place.
This alone made the KonMari declutter worth it to me. They truly seemed to enjoy the decorating even more than in years past. In turn, I did too.
WATCH ME KONMARI DECLUTTER
I documented myself sorting through all the Christmas decorations, to share the process with all of you. I’m still pretty amazed at all I was able to get rid of, without regret!
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS CHALLENGE
This was my first time using the KonMari declutter method. I have to say that although laying everything out was a bit more work upfront, it was beneficial. Seeing all those like-items together made it easier for me to spot our favorites.
I could see this method being used for all types of items – from clothing to kitchen gadgets. It is likely I will try to declutter this way in the future.
Above all, I learned from this challenge that the intentions behind your actions mean more than the action itself. Decorating with 200 items doesn’t mean that you enjoy or love Christmas more than someone who decorates with 20 items. And so, with that in mind, going forward, I plan to focus on the right number of decorations for OUR family. Because we know our intentions at Christmastime, and they may not always match up with what society says.
Join me next week, when I take on a new challenge for the December Declutter!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
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Worse yet, our family’s toothbrushes were also stored here because it is the most convenient and accessible space to brush our teeth.
The drawers were thoroughly decluttered, and then organized with our everyday essentials. An inexpensive cutlery tray was the perfect fit for the top drawer, which now is a clean and safe spot for our toothbrushes. Each family member, besides the girls who do all of their brushing upstairs with help, has their own divided space. The perfect size for a toothbrush, flosser, and personal chap-stick.
Perhaps the greatest visual improvement is the open shelf. With all of the clutter gone, the vintage clothes wringer and steam iron take center stage. Two houseplants serve to soften the space, as well as camouflage oddly placed outlets. And my antique window adds a bit of charm.
The room is bright and clutter free, and I think it seems larger than before!
