It’s not unusual for January to bring about a craving for simplification and order. That’s what motivated me to plan and implement a 31 day organization/clean out challenge in years’ past. This year, however, I kept hearing people talking about a new book, A Simplified Life, by Emily Ley. I was familiar with Emily, as I’ve used her planners, but the more I kept hearing about the book, the more I noticed people were not just talking about it, they were raving about it.
So, I bought it. After only reading a few pages, I felt she was talking to me, or probably to many of us moms that are craving simplicity, peace, routine, and order in our lives. I appreciated her distinction between minimalism and simplifying. Reading it had me inspired to start implementing the challenges she lays out and I decided to start with a big one- our master closet. Y’all…
Our master closet has been crying for help for some time now and it was time to tackle it.
Per Emily’s instructions and armed with a full cup of caffeine, I was ready to be ruthless, as Emily instructs. I pulled every single item out of the closet and into the bedroom. I couldn’t believe how much junk we had shoved in that space.
Having the closet completely empty was invigorating. I see why completely clearing a space out is necessary; it reveals so much possibility.
With everything out, it was time to start making decisions. With each piece of clothing I asked myself:
- Does it fit me right now?
- Is it high quality?
- Is it a favorite of mine and make me feel great when I wear it?
If the answer to all three wasn’t an enthusiastic YES, then it went in the donate/sell pile. Some pieces I struggled with (but I’ve only worn it once…) but I stuck to my guns and was ruthless. David got in on the action and hours (yes, it took hours) later, we felt like new people. Exhausted people, but also accomplished people with a greater sense of peace when we walked into our closet. First up, my side:
My heart still sings when I see this. I shared it on my Instastories and had a few people respond with “OMG What are you going to wear?!” which I got a good giggle at, but the truth is, these were the only pieces I was ever wearing anyway. Now I was just being more honest with myself. Knowing I can walk in and pick any item, knowing it will fit and make me feel good is so freeing.
I also feel it will help me be more intentional with adding things to my closet. I am dedicating myself to investing in fewer, but higher quality pieces, like my new Sorel boots that I absolutely love. Now it’s crystal clear what I do and don’t need. I’d like a sweater and I need another sports bra and maybe one or two workout tops, but other than that, I’m pretty set.
Now David’s side:
I think it’s hilarious that he has more clothes than I do, but then again, he has to play more roles than I do. For the most part I’m in casual wear or workout clothes, but David needs work clothes, casual clothes, gym gear, etc. We’ve been talking about how he needs some new clothes for sometime and I was about to buy him some more button downs. I’m glad I waited because he has plenty, but performance polos? He could use a couple more of those.
We donated four big black trash bags of clothes and I kept about 20 items to try and sell. The only word I can use to describe the experience is freeing. I truly was able to feel how our clutter ends up having a hold on us, and now I’m motivated to make my way through all the spaces in our house.
The funny thing is, I actually haven’t read more than the first couple of chapters of the book because I feel like I have to finish the tasks suggested before moving on, but I am really looking forward to using it as a guide to being more intentional with the set up of our home. Next up- more closets and the gulp, junk desk in the kitchen!
What space needs an overhaul the most in your house?
Are you on a cleaning/organizing mission this year too?
What space is at the top of your tackle list?
John J. says
Great job of simplifying! The visual said it all. I started last week, probably need to stay at it. A worthy goal. “Stuff”, physical and mental, sure can get in the way. See ya tomorrow!
Heidi says
Yay! This is the post I was looking forward to. Simplifying life excites me and I’m glad you’re on this journey now too. Please keep sharing your progress! I’m a few years into my very slow journey towards living more simply and I’m currently reading “Soulful Simplicity” by Courtney Carver. I’m about 1/4 of the way through it and it’s really resonating with me. Good luck! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh, I love a good simplifying book suggestion and will definitely check that out- thank you!
Kathy says
I love this!! Will you come clean my closet? LOL I must check out that book!! Thank you!!! Great job by the way!!
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, thank you!! It feels amazing! And I give professionals organizers a lot of credit- that is some tedious work 🙂
Alyssa says
I started doing this when we moved to our own condo out of a tiny NYC apartment. Before that I kept half my clothes at my parents’ house! BUT I was pregnant and didn’t do a great job of really culling it all down because I had no idea what would fit me afterwards. I am determined to do it this summer because I probably only wear 10-20% of what’s in my closet and drawers! Mostly the workout and casual stuff now that I’m a SAHM. Last time around, I only tried getting rid of stuff I thought I could sell on eBay or Thredup, but I found the latter gives you pennies, literally, for a lot of high quality items, so I’ll probably just donate it all!
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, I used to love ThredUp too but now I guess they have so many people sending stuff that they aren’t paying a dime (literally) for items anymore. I was so disappointed last time I sent clothes in and won’t do it again. I’d rather donate too!
Kara says
I was just going to ask if selling quality clothes was worth it? I usually donate but considering trying to sell some things. Have you ever used PoshMark?
Brittany Dixon says
I did and I thought it was good but got tired of having to go ship things. I might try it again though!
katie says
I live in a tiny studio so minimalism is important, but i also live in minnesota, where we have 4 seasons and need all the gear/layers. thankfully i can keep things at my parents, but I do pull my closet apart a couple times a year to ensure i’m not holding on to needless things.
Laura says
Sorel boots are the bomb! I’ve hiked literally hiked around the world in mine since 2008- lava fields in Iceland and snowfields in Russia, and they are still in perfect shape. I got them discounted but even if I had paid full price they’d still be worth every penny. I share a relatively small closet with my husband, so cleaning it out and donating is a yearly event. I read somewhere once that having extra storage space is a “fool’s paradise” which I know sounds a bit harsh, but for sure since we’ve lived in a smaller house with less storage we’ve had to be much more intentional about what we buy and what we keep. We had our metal kitchen cabinets painted awhile back which gave me the opportunity to go through everything. I had a ton of extra/ unused glassware to get rid of that freed up a lot of space.
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t think it sounds harsh at all! Super accurate in my opinion. We’ve talked a lot about downsizing in the future and I’d love to start now with getting rid of things we don’t use. It’s so freeing!
PS- and heck yes for Sorel boots… I love that you love yours too!
Chantal says
YES! I’ve done this and continue to do this. My husband isn’t as much on board so he has way more clothes lol
Maria says
This is totally my jam! Congrats on being ruthless as I know it probably wasn’t easy! I desperately need to do this, but I’m in one of those weird spots – 6 months postpartum – where some of my old clothes fit and some of them don’t. I wonder if they will ever fit again (I lost all the baby weight but it’s like my body has changed) I feel like I need to get rid of 90% of it and start over!
Where did you decide to sell your nicer things? I haven’t had luck with Thred Up in the past and I need a new resource, but…one that doesn’t take a lot of time.
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve dropped ThredUp after the totally did me wrong the last time I sold through them (they started off so great the first few times!), so I’m considering Poshmark or facebook marketplace, but right now I still have a pile sitting on my table which is driving me crazy. I said I’d give myself a month to sell them or I’ll change paths and donate. The extra clutter it creates is driving me crazy!
Nadia says
I love organizing and simplifying! I completed the Kon Mari method for decluttering last year. It worked great for certain areas of my home, and some areas are still “stuffed”. I’ll put “A Simplified Life” on my book list. Thanks!
Lauren says
First of all, now I SERIOUSLY want to read that book. And now I want to clean out my closet, too! You’re an inspiration, girl!
Jennifer says
I’ve been wanting to clean out my closet like this for awhile but am waiting since I am 2 months post baby with weight to lose. But I literally have like 50 t-shirts and a pair of jeans in ever size from 4 to 14! Hopefully by summer I can give it a whirl!
Brittany Dixon says
I do think it would be more challenging to do during the pregnancy/baby years. I feel like I’d have to get a storage bin and almost make a pregnancy capsule and a non pregnancy capsule? Shoot I don’t know but it definitely makes more sense to have more clothes while our bodies are changing 🙂
Katie says
I read her book and did the same! I also did my kitchen- which has made such a difference in my days!
Brittany Dixon says
Yes! I overhauled my kitchen and pantry a few months back and it feels less chaotic trying to cook now- love it!
montessoriishmom says
Your closet looks beautiful! I’m going to get this book with my next Audible credit, can’t wait to work through it!
Brittany Dixon says
Can’t wait to hear what you think- it’s inspiring!
Natalie says
Hi, first time I’m commenting. We overhauled our study this past month, it had become a storage room over the past two years ha ha! I’m still working on it, takes forever to go through paper work etc with two little ones to look after (my son is 3 and a half and my daughter is almost 21 months). It really is like a breath of fresh air to organize ones home. On another topic, when did you start teaching Hailey to read and write and how did you go about it? Did you introduce numbers first or letters? I’d love to see a post on this as I’m very impressed with her writing, reading and math abilities at 6 years old.
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Natalie and thanks for commenting! 🙂
Hailey was in preschool three days a week so they always worked on letters there, but she had a naturally strong interest towards reading so we worked on it at home too. We really focused on the sounds the letters make over the name of the letter, read a ton of books together, and used the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons which helped her learn to sound words out. We did numbers at the same time, just by practicing counting everything (stairs, steps, crackers, etc) and talking through everyday math things, like I see you have 5 crackers, can I have one? Oh, how many do you have left now? Etc. I will say though, we are working on her writing because while she loves to write and create stories, her handwriting needs some real attention 😉
Natalie says
Thanks for replying with such easy to use tips 🙂 It’s much appreciated. I’m keen to purchase the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, do you think 3 and a half years is too young for the book? I’m sure Hailey’s handwriting will improve with time 🙂 (she’s still so young) … I look back on some of my first letters that I wrote to my parents and laugh but my mom treasures them!
Heather says
Just ordered the book! We are looking to move out of our starter home and adding new things to our bigger how will definitely be bought with purpose. Have you checked out “Remodelista – The Organized Home”? It is all about simple organizing in your home with high quality plastic free ideas. I am trying to take my organization to the next level and eliminate more plastic from our lives. Better for my family and the environment!