“Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You’ll find what you need to furnish it — memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey.”
April has always been my favorite because it is my birthday month. Who doesn't like a little celebration in their lives? But with a positive, you can always find a negative or two. For instance, April equals taxes, rain and oftentimes snow, mud season and wait for it ... spring cleaning.
I am a big procrastinator when it comes to cleaning. Don't get me wrong, I am a pro when it comes to organization. It was also wishful thinking to think that a camper trailer doesn't need to go through spring cleaning. How hard can it be to go through 140-square-feet of space?
Last weekend, Greg and I headed to his mom's house to revisit the items we didn't take with us seven months ago when we moved into the camper trailer. Then we headed to our own abode to assess all our items.
Downsizing Tips
Having a tough time getting started? Yeah ... I feel your pain. But remember, "pain is gain!"
Sections are easier to manage at a time than rooms or large spaces. For example, start with your closet, the area around your bed or the kitchen.
Make two piles:
"Things You Use"
"Things You Lose" (otherwise known as "things you aren't using")
- Organize the first pile ("Things You Use") into a hierarchy. The things you use the most often should be near the top or near the front.
- Take a good, hard look at the second pile ("Things You Lose"). You haven't been using it so far. Look at each item and ask, 'Why haven't I used you yet?' If the answer is due to the weather or the seasons, then you may want to move it over to the other pile. If you know deep down, you don't use it fairly often, then it is so much better to part ways. Chances are you won't remember getting rid of it.
- Repeat after me, 'Every item is replaceable!' Okay good! Now get rid of it!
Still need help? Read my longer post about downsizing. We tend to hold onto things we don't use for their sentimental value. But you might be able to give something you do use that same love if you were to let go of your old stuff.
If you still need a kick in the right direction, you can hear from Molly of Simplify Your Stuff at Tiny House Jamboree August 7-9 in Colorado Springs. The event is free, but you have to RSVP.
In my next post, I'm going to get after some of the products I use to make cleaning a little more natural and fun.