A couple weeks ago I realized that I’m surrounded by too much stuff, and I’ve committed to tackling that problem. One small space at a time. A lot of the beginning stuff will be easy – going through the things I can see. Just wait until we start getting into drawers and boxes. Then I’ll turn into those ladies on What Not To Wear who cry because they can’t throw away the fuzzy leopard print vest they got when they were 9 that still fits on days they’re not bloated. But about papers and trinkets and things.
Last week I tackled my dresser corner. This week I went for the top of my desk and the floor surrounding it. This gives you an idea of what we were working with:
My desk wasn’t TOO bad and the floor wasn’t TOO messy but there was still a lot of STUFF. This is where I’m sitting today:
Maybe I’m not the best desk stylist and it’s not super instagram-worthy, but it’s functional and I like it. I went through my pens and made a huge stack of pens to take to work, because for some reason I have NO black/blue pens there. I traded the big white IKEA planter for a smaller bucket that Katie sent me in a care package. I also cleaned the area next to my bed; that pink tub turned into a collection of stuff to take to work for various reasons. It’s in another room so that I don’t give in to the temptation to use it as storage to hide things.
And good news… my dresser corner is still looking good.
My next project.
I’m going to give myself two weeks for this one because I want to be thorough and well-thought out.
The other side of my bed AKA the first thing you see when you enter my room…
Super good thing I have a roll of toilet paper on my night stand, right? It’s a lot of stuff. Just random things. Books I’m not reading, lotions I’m not using, a candle I’m not currently burning… time to take control of all that STUFF.
I WANT YOUR HELP!
Do you have any posts about decluttering/organizing/etc? Or any tips? I’d love to hear from you… for my own benefit AND to share on my blog! Drop me a comment.
Also… anybody else yet pick an area of their life to go through with a fine tooth comb and get rid of anything that isn’t helpful/useful/joy-bringing? You should post about it on your blog so I can read about it 🙂 Strength in numbers, people. Strength in numbers!
Other posts on Unstuffing:
Looking so good! Making me want to start unstuffing! 🙂 Love the happy print on your desk!
you should!!! + thanks! it was actually a postcard i got in my birch box awhile ago and i loved it so much <3
I love all the pink and cuteness! You did an awesome job! I just did a bunch of cleaning up last night! Granted, a lot of it was random empty cardboard boxes that needed to be broken down and taken to recycling, or this MASSIVE box that had a bunch of clean bedding just sitting in it (which was hiding some of the mates to socks of mine–score!), and throwing away random stuff I’ll never use again…but I got to put all the wedding decor that was taking over our apartment in that giant box! So now there’s only ONE area where wedding stuff is taking over. Which is a win in my book.
ahhhh thanks!! but it’s still unstuffing even if it’s random empty stuff, right? it’s clutter. i think that’s the problem is CLUTTER! little victories. little victories <3
I seriously need to do this too!
you should!!! challenge yourself and do it… baby steps 🙂
you have so much cute stuff! i feel like everything in there is super pinteresty 🙂 this summer i went through our storage area upstairs and organized all our seasonal decorations/camping gear/etc. because before that….it was wiiiiild. the next step is clearing out the basement and getting some shelving up so we can free up the upstairs area! 🙂
ahhhhh thanks!!!! super pinteresty… probably the nicest comment i’ve received in awhile!!
you should do before/afters of the basement! i’m a weirdo and i’m obsessed with that kind of stuff all of a sudden. it’s like i’m weirdly nesting because all of my friends are pregnant hahaha.
Hahahaha nesting bc of pregnant friends–I love it. I was around my SUPER pregnant cousin in Washington (as opposed to my only mildly pregnant state) and all of a sudden her “cravings” we’re contagious.
probably because you were like “OMG NO THAT DOES SOUND SO GOOD” bahahahaha
I am currently reading this book and psyching myself up to de-clutter. Like really de-clutter, and not just moving things around like she mentions in the book. Its a great read. A friend and I even sat by a lake after our hike and read part of it together.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering/dp/1607747308
I even joined a Buy Nothing group so I could get rid of a lot of stuff and have it go to people who would use/like it. I am a collector, but closely bordering a hoarder. Got to get that in check!
mei-ling was telling me about that book! i’ll have to get my hands on a copy of it… i don’t want to buy it because i have SO MANY BOOKS (part of the problem!!!). i really feel like it would be beneficial to get a CRAP TON of people on board and have a giant garage sale to just GET RID OF STUFF. it’s easier when other people are doing it, you know? then it’s harder to justify little purchases that just add to the problem.
that whole moving things around statement… that’s totally what i tend to do, instead of actually looking at something and asking if i need/want it or whatever. isn’t that one of the questions? does it bring you joy or something?
wait. or were YOU telling me about the book?
suddenly i don’t know. haha.
Yes! That is one of the questions. And if it no longer brings you joy then you thank it and put it in a bag to donate it or in a garbage bag. She also tells you to do the purge in a certain order, starting with items of least sentimental value to hone your decision making skills. She even mentions getting rid of the book when you are done with it.
So if you would like, when I am done with it I will pass it along to you!
I’ve been eyeing my clothes and I think after I am done reading I will be ready to start with them. I have so many, but wear so few. I also have quite a lot of books.
I would love to have a garage sale with a bunch of people! I don’t have a space to do it myself, because I live in an apt. Raising a little money as well and purging items that I do not need and do not bring me joy sounds great.
oh man. i really can’t wait to read that book – i read a little bit of it when i was at camp but it sounds really great. could i have it from you when you’re done??
the CLOTHES!!! oh man. i was thinking that i might do a thing where i literally attempt to wear EVERY ARTICLE OF CLOTHING i own (seasonally appropriate of course) and if i wear it and feel uncomfortable during the day or see myself in the mirror and hate it… then i get rid of it. seems intense but sometimes you gotta be drastic, right???
i feel like the one downfall of a garage sale is that i don’t have big ticket items, you know? just little things. i should probably find someone who has a few bigger things to sell or something. how long does garage sale season last? haha
Did I ever reply to this? Yes, you can have it! I’m actually finishing it up now (I know, I know. I put it on the back burner and didn’t have time until now to finish it up)
You’re killing it with the decluttering, awesome job!
thanks girl! i’m working hard!!! 🙂 the drawers are going to be THE WORST.
You’re doing so great!! I love watching your progress 🙂
thank you thank you <3 <3 <3