Good Morning!! I have a busy busy day as I prep for a photoshoot tomorrow. If you follow me on SnapChat (Katie_Dudley) you know that I spent most of yesterday cleaning and reorganizing my closet. I had a pretty open schedule yesterday so I decided to tackle one of the projects on my Mater Task list in my Purposeful Planner (Don’t forget it is on SALE until Friday).
I have a confession to make…I am a hoarder. I have every card I have ever received, hats and purses from Limited Too (talk about a blast from the past) and every picture made for me by the kids I have babysat over the years. I seriously have it all.
It was time to do a MAJOR closet clean out. I totally avoided my closet when I painted my room because, well, I knew it was going to be a project. I downsized my space for clothes when I got rid of my dresser. I didn’t want a clunky piece of furniture ruining my carefully crafted aesthetic. This meant my closet was BUSTING at the seams. I couldn’t even open the doors there was so much junk…seriously, that is how the widest I could open the doors.
Step One: Organize Your Space
I started the process by stripping my bed. Why? I knew there was going to be dust, plus the ruffles and 15 pillows would have taken up valuable space on my bed aka where all my clothes were going. I knew I was going to have to map out a plan// walking path before hand. I strategically placed laundry baskets in spaces where I knew there was room to pile.
Step Two: Dive In.
For me, this is the worst part, getting started. It feels like taking your step off a ledge..there is no turning back. I started by removing my clothes by section. My closet was loosely organized buy type of clothing and color prior to starting the clean out so that was helpful. I removed each section and started pulling clothes I knew it was time to donate. I put each section in a different pile on my bed so that it was more organized when it came time to hang everything back up.
Step Three: The Junk
After removing all the clothes, I started to attack the bottom portion. Bags, bags and more bags…mostly the reusable ones from Lululemon…and about 15 purses. All my favorite childhood stuffed animals were also shoved in there along side a lamp, a DVD player and (surprise) more bags. This is the portion where you find your FAVORITE slinky from your birthday party in third grade. This is also the time where the excitement and fun starts to wear off and you become OVER IT.
Step Four: Curing the Burnout
You are an hour and a half in, your room looks like you are the star on the latest season of Hoarders Burried Alive ( the really outrageous one they save for the season finale ). How to you get back into the organization mode? A quick Dance Party break. Or make a cup of coffee. Or have an apple. But whatever you do, for the Love of God, do not I repeat DO NOT sit down. You will loose momentum and you room will stay a mess forever.
Step Five: Refocus
Finish the last of sorting the junk, or bags, in my case. In the wise words of Troy Bolton, get your head in the game. Go through all the ‘stuff’ one final time (we will go through the clothes again when it comes time to hang them back up). Decide what is straight up junk and what are things that can be donated. Start bagging it all up if you hadn’t already. Being the wacko that I am, I color code my trash bags. I have two going at once, one for donations, one for garbage.
Step Six: Clean
Now that your closet is totally empty, its time to clean the dust bunnies the size of Texas that have been collecting since the last time you cleaned out your space. Vacuum, wipe down the walls and floor. Make it shimmer and shine.
Step Seven: Putting it all Back Together
This is my FAVORITE part. Put it all back starting with the clothes. I started hanging each section up one at a time. This time I looked at each piece much more critically, be realistic and get rid of everything you wont wear. I made six different sections: Winter jackets//vests, sweatshirts (divided by hoodies, crew neck, quarter zip and zip up; then color coordinated in each section), Lululemon razor back tanks (yes, they get their very own section), shirts (in color order, then organized by sleeve length//fabric thickness), maxi and cocktail dress, and finally formal wear.
After ever last piece of clothing was hung with care, I put all the bags I kept inside my favorite pink Nike duffle…all the bags are now neatly contained. Finally I put my fire ladder (yes, I have we have a fire safety pan. Don’t you?) and all my canvases // pictures from college in the closet according to size.
AND THATS IT.
Yes it took me hours, but I feel soooooo much better now that it is done. I love love love the process of decluttering and organizing.
Oh and I totally forgot to mention… those clear boxes on the top of my closet are my shoes. Each pair gets its own box for easy, clear, uniform storage. I LOVE these shoe boxes from The Container Store. I even keep five of them in the back of my car (spin shoes, gym sneakers, casual wear sneakers, cheap flip flops, fancy flip flops). so I can adapt my outfit throughout the day.
I am off to get my lashes refilled and a manicure before a TPB photoshoot tomorrow! I can’t wait to introduce you to my favorite up-and-coming photographer…she is oh so talented and she just so happens to be my little brother’s girlfriend. I will vlog the entire process!
xoxo,
K
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