10 things to declutter right now

And this is… 2020!

…I’m sure that’s not the first time someone threw that Barbara Walters joke your way, but hey, I’m more of a regular mom than a cool mom, so bear with me! hah!

Entering this new decade is a big pill to swallow.  As someone who continually tries to practice staying in the moment (key word: tries), my mind can’t help but think of what’s next.  If you are anything like me, you tend to think of what you “still need” to accomplish, rather than what you have already accomplished.  

But friends, it’s cool to be kind to yourselves.  Just like you would cheer on others, I give you permission to wave the victory flag for all you’ve done the past 10 years, and more importantly, all that you’ve learned.

For really what matters moving forward in this new decade, is what we do in the NOW.  What small, actionable steps can we take, that will lead us to great successes?

In the spirit of small steps, I’ve rounded up 10 things to declutter right now, that will take you little to no time to accomplish, but will have tremendous impact on your home and life.  

1- Manuals 

Have you ever really needed to look at a manual?  I know we like to save them, but when’s the last time you referred to one?  Most of us don’t have the time or patience to dig through a shoebox of papers when something goes wrong.  We much prefer to type “that thing” into Google’s primary color search box for the immediate answer.  In 2020, let the internet do the manual storing for you.

2- Old Magazines and Clippings

I agree it’s fun to see what new recipe or product is being recommended by my favorite health or fashion magazine.  But what actually happens with these ripped out clippings?  Do they make it into weekly dinner rotation or your daily beauty regimen, or do they quietly collect in every corner of your home?

The next time you’re tempted to rip out an article or recipe, be realistic with yourself.  If you’re not a weekly baker, chances are you won’t be getting to those 50 torn out cupcake recipes anytime soon.  Just like anything else, information gets old.  Coconut oil is hot one minute, and the next it’s being studied as having a negative impact on your cardiovascular health.  

If you can’t manage to toss the whole pile, try saving one current recipe or recommendation out of the stack, and take an immediate actionable step on it.  Turkey Chili to try this Tuesday?  It’s a date!

3- Worn out Socks

My mother laughed when I asked for new socks for Christmas this year.  But isn’t it such a pet peeve to put a pair on that are either outstretched or worn at the sole?  We often don’t pay mind to these little articles of clothing, but no one wants to be the guest that takes off their shoes with a big toe peeping out of the worn seams, am I right?!

4- Expired Spices

Yup, we are all guilty of holding onto a spice for longer then it’s use-by date, but we’re not doing our food any favors once something has lost its potency.  

This is especially true for baking supplies.  Trust me on this, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to the science of baking…  1 teaspoon of stale baking soda can turn a delicious recipe into an inedible mess.

5- Promotional Swag

Also known as the little nylon backpacks with the strings for the 5k you ran, or the charity benefit you attended.  Free stuff is fun, but rarely used, so next time you support a good cause, do just that, and leave the swag bag behind.

6- Vases

I would really love to be the household that displays fresh flowers at every turn, but it’s just not realistic with a 3 year old running around, or a husband allergic to half of central park.  Unless you display more than 1 bouquet at a time, pick your favorite vase and ditch the rest.  Clear vases from flower deliveries are thoughtful, but if they had feelings, they would be begging you to donate them so they could happily display flowers someplace else!

7- Dry Cleaning Hangers

Walk into a fancy boutique, and you’ll notice how everything is hung on beautifully sloped, thick hangers.  This isn’t just meant to be impressive, it’s meant to sustain garments over the long term.  We want our hangers to serve as little shoulder stand-ins, so nothing gets pulled or stretched.  Triangular shaped dry cleaning hangers made of paper and wire are merely a short term solution for getting your garments home.  *Pro tip: always opt for hangers that are the width of your shoulders (whether that be standard size or petite!)

8- Freezer Burned Food

There’s nothing worse than setting something out to defrost before work, to then come home to see it’s most likely been sitting in the freezer for 6+ months, as it’s completely freezer burned.  After a quick sweep of your freezer, take note of your stock.  The next time you replenish an item, take a sharpie to the outside of the food container with the date purchased + 3 months (so you know exactly when each item will “expire”) to avoid freezer burned frustration and waste. 

9- Your friends or family’s stuff

If you’re noticing your home is slowly becoming a storage vessel for your friends or family’s items, it’s time to pick up the phone (scratch that, it’s 2020…), shoot them an email, text, portal video chat (the options are literally endless!), for them to come reclaim what is theirs.  If you’ve borrowed a handbag, set of tools, bike, or anything that takes up space, kindly offer a date for you to drop the item off, and rid yourself of the extra stuff in accumulation.

10- Gifts

Despite what some decluttering methods may say, there’s nothing wrong with re-gifting an item to someone you know would love it or use it!  With that being said, simply ridding your clutter onto someone else is a completely different story, but discussion for another day...

If you regift, go through your items to make sure they are still in the original condition they were given to you.  Anything with a torn box or wear from storage should be donated.  It’s also important to note if anything is outdated.  This is especially important for kiddos or babies, as toys are recalled all the time due to updated safety guidelines each year.  

Moral of the story, if you receive a gift you don’t like, make a decision on it then and there!  Saving gifts to re-gift takes energy and space (to keep them looking pristine), so rid yourself of everything looking less than mint and current for 2020!

There ya have it! Would love to hear what small actionable steps you’re taking on in this new decade in the comments below :)