Since finding out that we are moving house, I have made a conscious effort to declutter my wardrobe…actually scratch that, my life! Whenever we move home I always have a good clear out and I wish it was something that I did more often.
Usually, I’m quite conservative when I have a clear out, but this time I went on a radical mission to get rid of our unwanted crap – bagging things up for charity, selling them or simply ditching them completely and binning them. There is always that sentimental pull of the heartstrings about the loss of memories when having a clear out, but my approach this time round was to be ruthless – if I hadn’t worn it in over a year it was being culled.
Having a massive life and wardrobe edit has surprisingly made me feel much better in so many ways. With the new house, I’m definitely adopting a minimalistic way of life, which I think will be fabulous for my health and wellbeing, by removing the stuff that I don’t need in our lives I can concentrate on the things that really matter and I’ve already noticed some amazing benefits:
House feels more spacious
Ditching all the unwanted crap hiding in our cupboards has made our little cottage feel so much bigger. They are no longer bursting at the seams and it’s far easier to put things away without having to have a fight or trying pushing the door shut before everything falls out. I really wished that I’d done such a dramatic clear out way before we decided to move.
Mind is less cluttered
I’m not sure what it is about having a massive wardrobe and life edit, but my mind always feels clearer. Like I’ve been to a therapy session and unloaded everything that was making me feel so heavy.
More Liberated & Happy
Clearing everything out automatically gave me an overwhelming sense of liberation and freedom. Amazingly, I also feel refocused because the insignificant stuff that obviously didn’t matter in my life has been removed and I can concentrate on what does. It’s also been a massive mood booster because I have less to think about I feel more efficient, productive and like I’m making the best use of my time, which always makes me very happy!
A Sense of Calm
Keeping hold of so much stuff can cause a sense of chaos and it can be quite stressful trying to search through it all and contain it. I’m such a neat freak so keeping everything nice and tidy is a must, but with lots of unwanted possessions (and baby toys everywhere!) this was getting more difficult. Now that there is more space in the cupboards, things are looking a little less chaotic and have brought a sense of peace to my life because I’m not having to clear up so much and there is less to worry about.
Back in control
Naturally, being a neat freak also means that I like to be super organised too. With fewer possessions, I do feel less overwhelmed and like I’ve found more clarity. It’s nice to know where everything is instantly located, rather than having to rummage through the cupboards searching high and low – it’s made me feel more in control and I love it!
Ditching the excess and living like an essentialist is definitely the way forward for me. I feel less bogged down and overwhelmed by all of our stuff and although the clear out isn’t quite over yet I’m really looking forward to a more decluttered way of life in our new home, which also extends to my wardrobe and beauty routine too. I’ve reinvested my eBay sales into purchasing items with more discretion to create a simple wardrobe that I will be posting on the blog soon, with emphasis on how to do this on a budget. Less most definitely feels like more because since minimising our possessions I feel awesome!
I haven’t done a proper clear out of my staff since last year. It is really important! You are right when you have less things around it looks all even better. I would like to approach that way of life too. I feel I’m due to another declutter soon. I have clothes that I’m not wearing for a while!! xx
A Moment with Franca recently posted…Google Analytics: The Stats You Need!
I think we all feel much better after a declutter…it’s like a therapy session! 🙂
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
I tend to do a big clear out one a year around Easter. It is liberating as in a way I feel like starting a ‘new life.’
Izabela recently posted…The AW15 Accessories Guide by Farfetch
I love that idea of starting a ‘new life’ Izabela! 🙂
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
I love the feeling too so I know what you mean. Clutter ain’t good.
Stella recently posted…5 Stylish Autumn/Winter Pieces For Your Man
It really isn’t I feel so liberated after my clear out.
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
I need to be doing this yesterday! I have way too much excess and its too chaotic!
Shannon Peterson recently posted…What I Wore // Mama Style ft Alterre Shoes
I don’t think your the only one Shannon. Having a good clearout is so theraputic!
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
This is something that I really need to do, as I am a little bit of a hoarder. We have a room that is just filled up with junk.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on The Benefits of the Workout Selfie by Laura ~ RYG
Ha! My cupboards were just like that Dannii.
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
I recently read a book called stuffocation which helped me sort my life out! I then moved house and am pretty pleased with how much less stuff I have than before. Last week I cleared out my sports wardrobe which was tough (I wear sportswear 99% of the time) as I feel like I need it all even though I don’t wear much of it! The plan is to tackle my storage cupboard next, has lots of my fitness gear in there that just got chucked in when I moved in!
Elle @ keep it simpeElle recently posted…Supporting #Target100,000
Sounds like a life changing book Elle! I also have workout gear that I don’t wear as much…I need to look at that.
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
This acts as a reminder for me that I should really declutter. I currently have too much junk that I should really get rid of. I believe this will really help to clear my mind so I need to do this really soon!
Petra / Be Healthy Now recently posted…Organic September: My organic grocery essentials
It’s such a great healer getting rid of your unwanted items. I feel much better for it.
Jemma recently posted…How Dumping The Crap Made Me Feel Awesome
I love a clear out every now and then. Clothes ones are easy- especially if you get a bag that can be left out for collection, but I really need to clear some of our plates and things that we don’t use.
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…Parkrun- dream vs reality
I’ve had SUCH a clear out with packing for my flat. It feels amazing and very cathartic. I hate clutter and I’m not sentimental so it’s been very easy to do.
Anna @AnnaTheApple recently posted…Rants and Raves #19
I spent all last weekend doing this and oMG so therapeutic – now I want to have a good clear out of my computer and declutter that and the files . I totally think outward clutter reflects on the inside 🙂
Kezia @ Super Naturally Healthy recently posted…5 ‘Healthy’ Foods That Could Be Doing You More Harm Than Good!!
That’s a great way to think about it Kezia! So true! My dad always said that I was giving the wrong impression to people because my room was such a mess at home, but I always went out pretty well presented.
After reading Marie Kondo’s tome on tidying we embarked on a clear out as a family. So empowering even for the little ones.
clementine buttercup recently posted…Beauty: Some Additions to my Bed-Time Routine