As I clean, I cleanse, I discard, I toss- I get rid of it. I find a way to achieve a clean home.
I can’t tell you how many times I have looked into my bathroom closet and wondered how did all of those useless items get in there again?
At that exact moment, I decide to get rid of more unused beauty products. Because let’s face it – the eye brightening cream failed once again!
Table of Contents
Differences Between Tossing and Buying
Now let’s not be confused with throwing things out and my love of buying new products and items.
I love to shop.
I’m always putting in orders at Target and telling them I am on my way.
I order on Amazon constantly. I love hearing the sound of the package as it hits my front porch. Oh, how I enjoy getting all of my cleaning supplies from my subscription list at the end of the month.
Three Words: Macy’s Shoe Sale. Because let’s be honest – shoes always fit and that in and of itself is amazing!
I love new bedding and new throw pillows and fluffy towels.
I am guilty of purchasing that oh so empowering cheesy coffee mug and new fuzzy slippers.
One last shopping comment…Kohl’s coupons and Kohl’s cash. It is a vicious cycle, but I am sucked into every time.
When to Apply the Secret
I love all of that stuff, but when I purchase something, I get rid of something else.
So for example, if I order a bunch of new towels that were on sale, I immediately go to my towel closet and discard any unwanted towels or I find a new home for them.
I do have to admit it was much easier to pawn off my unwanted items on my younger sister ten years ago. Now that she is a real-world businesswoman and not a broke college student, her taste has changed.
Current Example of Applying the Secret
For instance, the holidays are coming up. I know that I’m going to end up buying toys for my daughters.
So in the next few weeks, I will go through all of their bins in the playroom and in their bedroom. Then, I will decide what toys they actually still use and what toys could be donated.
After that process, I now have more space for new items they will receive this holiday season. Well that is if they realize that Santa is really watching!
Finally Seeing that the Secret is Being Appropriately Applied
When you look around your house and realize that you have less to dust. Then you realize, you have less to clean, which means that yes, you have fewer items to wipe down.
The realization will be eye-opening and life-changing! Yes, you did it!
When you are working with less stuff, your home will take less time to clean and you be less stressed.
Road to Success and Sustainability
Start today before you start holiday shopping or spending. You will feel at ease knowing that you are already putting these practices into place.
A Few Road Blocks
Clothing Staples
If you’re going to order a new t-shirt along with your Target order, throw out a few of your grungy tees that really should never be seen in public or from even a mile away for that matter.
You are NEVER going to wear them because let’s face it, you do like shopping. Of course, this means that you’re never going to complain about having to buy a new fresh t-shirt.
“I Might Be Able to Use It”
You think – oh I don’t want to let that item go. What if I actually need that item?
Golden Rule: (created by my mother) You will never regret what you bought as much as what you didn’t buy!
Apply the Golden Rule when tossing. Toss out the item because you can always buy another item that looks better and that you will actually wear.
One More Example Before You Start
For my wedding shower, I received many different types of glasses.
Martini glasses, champagne flutes, margarita glasses, wine glasses, white wine glasses, and red wine glasses.
It took me until year 5 of marriage to realize that I am never getting that much company. It set in that I don’t have that many friends to invite over for a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. I will never use 16 margarita glasses. It just won’t happen.
Let me tell you what I do now know is that I no longer spend time dusting all of that glassware!
Of course, I did keep some of it.
I kept four glasses in each category because I do hope one day that I’ll have my friends over for a Taco Tuesday.
My Biggest Regret in the Discard Process
Yes, there will be a few regrets.
However, the one regret is never going to outweigh the 100 things you needed to throw out.
Now my most regretted item that I ever threw out was a wrap-around dress from The Limited. It was a navy blue and neon green, 70s inspired dress, that I wish I still had.
However, during that particular cleansing session, I am so glad that I decided to throw out all of the disgusting sweats and sweatshirts that I accumulated from college.
After eliminating all of those other items, I realize that I can live without that 70s dress.
Now It Is Your Turn
Try applying this secret when a new package arrives.
For some shoppers, this may happen more often than not because let’s be honest everyone has a new package land on their front porch at some point.
It might be every other day or week or maybe once a month if you really have self-control.
As for me, I will be decluttering my shoe collection as I just ordered two new pairs from the recent Target shoe sale.
Enjoy the process – just think of it as making room for the new!
& Remember
Start with the Bed,
Juliet
