Lately I’ve been feeling the need to de-clutter my life. My goal this week is to start with our bathroom. I’m going to get rid of (and possibly donate to a woman’s shelter) unopened products, things I’ll never use etc. I just have so much STUFF…hair products, lotions (I don’t even USE lotion) etc. I just need it gone!
Since I’ve been in house-mode lately, I’ve been thinking about all of the little things we need to do in the next 6 months or so before it goes on the market. Little repairs and improvements. I told my H that maybe I’ll spend my weekends home-improving instead of shopping…we’ll see how that goes 🙂
Here’s what I wore to work today:
Cardigan- Charlotte Russe
Top- Costa Blanca
Skirt- Target
Shoes- Michael Kors
Bag- Kate Spade
Belt- J.Crew
Necklace- Forever 21
I’m still going to work on setting up my camera tripod, I promise! I also really really want to make a video for you ladies of my closet and makeup/storage. I just have to de-clutter and organize everything to how it’s supposed to be, and then I’ll record those (and uh, learn how to edit videos too…this could take awhile!)
Do you ever feel the urge to just de-clutter your life? Do you ever wonder where all of that STUFF came from? I’m no hoarder (I’m actually more of an eliminator) but I tend to eliminate things less often, but in huge amounts. I actually read an article today from the LA TIMES titled “Are you addicted to cosmetics?” I don’t fall into the category they described, but I think we can ALL learn a lesson from the article.
I know there are a lot of makeup gurus out there on YouTube and in the blogging world who seem to buy several items from every MAC collection and are always trying out new foundations, bronzers, hair products, etc…
I always wonder how they use so much makeup, but the truth is, they can’t. The difference between those gurus (and myself) is that they review and do makeup tutorials for a living, so having access to all of those products is beneficial and enhances their blog or channel. But for a girl like me who basically wears the same makeup everyday, it’s just kind of wasteful.
For example, I have an entire drawer in my makeup storage case just full of pink lip glosses. I don’t even really wear lip gloss. I sometimes use a lip conditioner or dab on some very subtle pink lipstick…yet for some reason, I’m always “sucked in” by pink glosses. Why do I buy them? They just sit there for weeks, months…dare I say it, years? (I’ve had to throw many away throughout the years.)
I’ve made a conscious effort lately to avoid buying products that are either too “in my comfort zone”- in the sense that I already have something almost exactly like it and too “out of my comfort zone” – something I’ll use once but never return to. At the end of the day, it just adds clutter. Now this doesn’t mean I won’t try new things, I just don’t plan on trying things if it’s something I basically already have. Like PINK LIP GLOSS!!!
My blog sale was a very cleansing experience for me. It just made me feel good that the clothes were going to good homes while I also benefited by getting more room in my closet and less clutter!
So, tell me ladies, do you ever feel overwhelmed at all of the STUFF you have? Whether it’s cosmetics, hair products or clothes? Let’s all post what we need to purge in the comments and then take steps towards doing it!
Got makeup that’s so old it’s crusting? Toss it!
Got 3 bottles of unopened shampoo that you swore you’d use forever and never do? Donate to a women’s shelter!
Got tons of clothes that don’t fit, don’t look good, too short, too long etc? Sell it on eBay, swap with friends or donate it!
Got old styling tools that still work but are gathering dust? Donate them or give them to a friend who might need a curling iron!
Let’s de-clutter ladies!
xoxo,
Veronika.
I am really trying to hard to use what I have and only buy something new (makeup wise) when it's something I've run out of or it's something that I don't own. I haven't bought a new mascara in over two months! That's huge for me, I used to buy a new one almost every week! I had to do a big 'stuff' cleanse when I moved home from University. I just didn't have the space to put it anywhere. I think I'll do another one soon as my room is still too full!
I almost always wear black, and rarely wear any fun colors. However, I really like how you added a bright pop of pink with your purse! How fun!
I am doing the same thing right now- clearing out lots of old stuff that is being replaced with new lovely wedding gifts 🙂 And I cleaned out my cosmetics over the weekend- I really was shocked how much unused stuff piles up!! I love your blog- I've now bookmarked you on mine-thank you for sharing your lovely life with us!
<3, Lauren
http://www.oliveandbleu.com
thanks Lauren 🙂
i agree- it's just crazy to think about how much stuff piles up! I hate it!
AMEN VERONIKA!! AMEN!!! I am going to tackle my THREE closets this week (Yes – I have unconsciously taken over the master closet, and 2 Guest rooms with my clothes – eeeeeekkk)
Chad is going to thank you greatly!
Great post! I struggle with this a lot and lately I've been giving away makeup to friends and family. I've been fortunate to be getting company's sending me stuff but then that adds to my already large collection (I am a collector as well as 'user' of makeup). I need to let go of more stuff, not just makeup, though.
Michelle
This post was just what I needed to read! I have more clothes than I know what to do with. Seriously. They cant fit in my closet. I have boxes in the basement with clothes I never unpacked from previous moves. And even some trash bags in my trunk. I know one of these days I just need to go through it and get rid of what I don't wear! I can see how a lot of girls may fall into that category of buying too much makeup. Luckily I don't! But I can see the temptation.
@maja- I love cleansing! I promise you will feel amazing- think about getting rid of all the things you never wear and having room for new pieces you can love 🙂
I find as I'm getting older I'm focusing more and more on getting a lot of "key" pieces that are a little pricier and then trendy pieces that are inexpensive so I don't feel bad when I no longer wear them (but I still want them OUT of my closet!)
Michelle- I can't even imagine getting products from companies…honestly I don't even know if I could do it! I just would hoard it all in bins like the lady in the article! If only NARS would contact me- I'd make an exception for their products LOL!
Kinsey- unpack, donate and cleanse! I like to BLAST my fave music when I clean and organize, it's like a workout!
This has been an ongoing project for me to use up some of my makeup and beauty products. I have a huge bag loaded into my car ready to go to Goodwill. I made a goal to do minimal shopping this year to get my situation under control!
I am in the same mode right now! I am moving at the end of the week, and there is nothing like a move to make you declutter! I never realized how many pairs of purple heels I have! I took several bags to goodwill and I am going to sell several pairs of never worn shoes on ebay.
carolina- I understand. I feel like having my blog sale made it "OK" to buy things again because I was eliminating.
olivea- that's a great idea…purple heels!? random huh? it's amazing what you can find in your closet!
I am going through this as well! I actually love to cleanse and just get rid of the junk. I just cleaned out my makeup case and it is so nice, and makes it easier to find what I need. I've gotten to where I organize my closet, etc. but I'm waiting to have more closet space so I feel very cluttered and can't do much about the closets so I cleanse whatever I can! Great post and love the pink bag!
My hubby is practically OCD when it comes to the house, cleaning and all of that, so I've learned to be so much better about de-cluttering. 5 years ago, though, totally different story. =) Can't wait to see your videos!
I'm very proud of myself in that I have been seriously contemplating my purchases lately. I passed up on a handful of items this weekend (clothes, makeup, shoes, and just random things) because I always ask myself: How versatile is this piece of clothing/pair of shoes that I know that I will wear it atleast 5 times over the next 2 or 3 months? Do I have anything even remotely similar already? Do I really NEED another shade of eyeshadow when I've got an entire 50-something shade palette that I haven't experimented with even half of the colors? And then I guilt trip myself out of it if it's not necessary. I used to blow entire paychecks in less than a week just buying things that I didn't need, and I have donated so many items of clothing that sat in my closet for years and were NEVER worn (some even had the tags on them). Yesterday, I reorganized my closet and discarded 3 pairs of shoes that I bought, two of which were an entire whole size smaller than what I wear just because they were an impulse buy and the other was purchased in 2008 and were never worn. I really regret these impulse buys because I think back on how much money I really could have saved just by being as practical as I am now about what I purchase. With all of that money spent on unnecessary things since 2005, I probably could have payed for my $7k breast enhancement – atleast twice (and had money left over from it to pay for my new wardrobe!) Aye.
I feel you! I went through the same phase just a couple of weeks ago! Haha, thats why my house looks so clean! I love the feeling after decluttering, so rejuvenating!
I do this exact same thing with makeup! I'm constantly buying PINK LIPGLOSSES and using them once… then they just sit in my purse, makeup case, etc. I always like the look of lipgloss but I hardly ever wear it. I feel like it's too messy so I tend to stick to my regular chapstick. I don't even want to think about how much money I've wasted on the stuff…
I recently discovered this blog and am obsessed with it: https://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/. This girl has inspired me to declutter and organize my pantry, garage freezer, master bath vanity, and chest of drawers. The buffet in the dining room and my home office are next on the list. Maybe y'all can find some good ideas there.
amy- what a great blog, thanks for sharing 🙂
Love this post! I am not a hoarder either, and inevitably if I'm feeling stress or anxiety in my life I will turn to de-cluttering and organization as a way to make myself feel more in control of things. I just cleaned out my closet 2 weekends ago and it made me feel so HAPPY!! lol I am a dork 🙂
I cleared out a tonne of stuff for our transatlantic upheaval – it was great but I still brought across 6 suitcases!! I haven't bought much makeup in ages and am trying to use up old foundations and eyeshadows which is working great. As for products and old perfume, I actually sold them on ebay – weird huh but people bought them at dirt cheap prices!
xjcx
I am such a fanatic about de-cluttering. I go through our closets at least once every 2 months and go through drawers and cabinets every month. Luckily for me, we have 2 charities in our area who come to collect donations twice a month so I get rid of at least one trash bag of "Stuff" twice a month. It is so cleansing and helps so much to know exactly what you have and what you need or don't need. I think being organized at home leads to feeling more in control and less overwhelmed by other things in life too.
Ahhh, i guess we are all in the same boat. lots of things mostly unused that lurk in our closets or vanities! make up-wise i try not to succumb to the temptation but avoiding sephora or mac all together. i find myself using the same favorite products everyday while all the irrational purchases are collecting dust and bacteria 🙂 i've decluttering and organizing for the past 2 weeks and it's an ongoing mission especially with less space! oh well. even my thoughts feel scattered when my stuff is all over the place!
hubby and i are planing some minor reno and decoration just to get the place in shape for when we r ready to move. i'd love to see ur inspirations and decor ideas. i still cant decide on a neutral paint for the living room or the bed room.
I find it funny that I woke up to find your blog about cleansing because I actually had a dream (or nightmare) last night that we were getting evicted cause things were way too cluttered in my house and the landlord was upset. Needless to say I am counting down the hours until I get off so I can declutter and clean a bunch. It's just good to know I'm not the only one with the clutter problem – or the urge to declutter right now.
Also, you don't use lotion or lip gloss either? I always thought I was weird because it seemed like everyone I know uses lotion all the time and I either never do or forget to (unless I really need it). And, like you, I keep buying lip glosses as if I am going to use them more often but I don't. I'll add those to my de-clutter pile. 🙂
Good luck with your de-cluttering!!
I cleaned out and donated a ton of clothes to the Lupus foundation. They sell them and use the proceeds for research. I am thrilled that it went to something I feel passionate about. I am about to do a major purge again with clothes and hair products.
Great post V!
Last January we moved and I donated our unwanted clothes and books, and cleaned out my cosmetics. This spring my husband went back through his stuff and got rid of even more.
Now I feel like I am at a point where I know what I need and after seeing all of the money that we donated over the last few months I am alot better about not buying impulse items (especially stuff that is on sale, I used to buy sales items simply because they were on sale and not because I needed them).
I also keep just one of each cosmetic item in my makeup bag at a time and only buy more when I am out (I had a bad addiction to eyeshadow!).
Good luck with de-cluttering!
amber- de-cluttering has definitely made me think about how I spend each time I do it. I always try to think about the items I really value and try to buy more items like that instead of ones that seem more disposable. I learned a good lesson about buying too-short dresses when I had my blog sale earlier this month 🙂 It's liberating!
I've been planning to do this with bathroom products too, I just can't seem to let go, lol. I used to work at Bath and Body works and besides for both my bathroom cabinets full I have a huge box that I haven't unpacked yet (and I've lived in my house for a year), just full of lotions and stuff. I keep saying I'll just toss the whole box, but then I peek in and see good stuff and chicken out.
Maybe this weekend I'll just buckle down. It all expires eventually.
*A*- do not throw it out! donate it to a women's shelter 🙂
You have no idea how badly I need to purge, cleanse, organize whatever you want to call it. My tiny little house is OVERWHELMED in every department – I have too many of this and way too many of that from child's toys (does my 4 year old son really play with that baby toy anymore?) to old (dare I admit, crusty) makeup that I just can't toss because it cost me xx amount…to cheapy, trendy clothes I just can't bring myself to throw out either. I tell you, if I got rid of all the clothes I didn't wear my closet would look like those on the pages of magazines!
GREATTT Post and to the reader who posted the organizer's blog – thanks!!!
Did you, by chance, happen to donate your hairbrush? Because it looks like a family of rats lives in your hair.
Dear anon, using Sprint Pcs IP address 173.132.215.203, thanks for your comment. I like my hair.
I see you post on a message board called "mean mommies" well, looks like you've found a great place for you 🙂
Great idea to donate those products to a woman's shelter Veronika! As a social worker, I know that personal care products are often VERY difficult to obtain for clients.
I am in the process of de-cluttering as we prepare to move. Just tonight I found a stack of cards and photos from my 29th birthday (sigh, I'll be 32 in a few weeks;). I kept that stuff though and put it in my memory/keepsake box.
p.s. LMAO at the "mean mommy" chick! I would LOVE to see a pic of her hair;)
haha, love that you're trying to smile in the pics now!! I think decluttering is a great idea. I try to edit my closet every season. Im about to do one for fall stuff in about one month. I always look forward to it, too!