Everyone knows by now that we have moved into a smaller home. We’ve been at #71 for almost six months already!

I often get asked how difficult it was, physically and mentally, to get rid of belongings we didn’t want to take with us. We were there for twenty-four years with two kids; it was a big undertaking. 

Some assume I’m not sentimental and just purged everything, but that’s not the case. After all, many of my blogs focus on my memories. My childhood treasures are my most prized possessions! 

If one of your resolutions is to organize, create more space in your home, and live more calmly, here is a general overview of what I kept, what I donated, and what I threw away. 

–Making a timeline is a good first step. Don’t get overwhelmed. Take one bin, dresser, or shelf at a time. Don’t take a large space and try to tackle the whole thing on a Saturday afternoon. Honestly, it took me a year to go through my house. I have decor for each season, and I went through the boxes as we entered that month in which I was decorating.

With each section I organized, I had a keep, donate, and a trash pile. I bought several new clear plastic storage containers for the items I was saving, and clearly marked what was inside each box.

–I saved most of my childhood and my kids’ keepsakes. But not everything. I kept things that were most important to me, such as books, school papers, and tokens of endearment, like my baby blanket, and one box of vintage toys.

My kids each have a baby bin, a school paper bin, and other boxes marked with like items that they wanted to save. For example, they both had many school and sports trophies. We kept 2 or so out of 10 and purged the rest. If there was something I wanted to remember, but not necessarily save, I took a picture to have a visual keepsake.

We donated toys that held no sentimental value and threw away school papers that had minimal handwriting or pictures drawn on them.

-I donated most decor and kitchen items that I hadn’t used in years, most of which were bought at TJ Maxx or other like stores. That made room for pieces from my Mom and Dad. I now use and enjoy their old serving dishes, barware, and sentimental pieces instead of “saving” them. 

-I go through my closet and bathroom each year and donate pilled sweaters, tight or loose jeans, shoes that I don’t wear anymore, and purge socks that look worn. I throw out expired medication and makeup that I don’t like or use, even if there is a lot of product left. Don’t feel guilty about pitching it. You’re making room for things you actually use.

-My new rule is one thing in, one thing out. Before Christmas, I bought a pair of jeans, but not before I donated a pair of one too many skinny jeans I had. I recently purchased a Kindle, which means I won’t be buying any more physical books, and that’s definitely saving space.

Organizing and purging isn’t difficult if you value your physical space more than items you don’t use with no sentimental attachment. 

I would have been a good professional organizer. If you have any questions, I would be happy to help! 

Your home is a living space,

not a storage space.

-Francine Jay