I’ve been mentally preparing to do a huge declutter of my house for awhile. It’s a daunting task, but there are also parts that make me super excited. I decided to sit down and make a list (stick around for long and you’ll find that lists are what make up my brain) to pump myself up for what will be accomplished with the major declutter.

I also know that I needed to give myself a little leeway and remember that this doesn’t mean getting rid of my favorite things. This process isn’t all or nothing. So here are 10 things I’m really thrilled to dive into and purge and three things I’m going to allow myself to keep ‘collecting.’

It’s (Not) So Hard To Say Goodbye…

-DVDs:

You know what I don’t have currently hooked up to my television? That’s right. A DVD player. The last time I tried to watch a DVD, I hooked it up and realized that the remote didn’t work. I have dozens of DVDs that it’s time to just get rid of and never think of again. But if you think I’m getting rid of my Drop Dead Gorgeous or LOTR Extended Editions, you have another thing coming.

-Extra Clothes:

If you see me everyday (hi, coworkers!), you know I wear pretty much the same ten things, year-round. I don’t ‘get out my winter clothes’ or ‘store away my summer clothes.’ I have clothes. Of course, I absolutely have too many. This includes shoes. A few years ago, I decided my heel wearing days are over because I’m already plenty tall and I’m also very clumsy. Heels are just a bad idea all around, so naturally I still have many pairs. So many things that don’t fit, have stains, or will never be worn again lurk in my closet. I’m going to be ruthless.

-Kitchen Duplicates:

Before I moved into my first college apartment, I procured what Target promoted as a “Kitchen in a Box.” It was a box of plastic magic with everything from plates and bowls to colanders and a knife set. I still have far too many items from this kitchen in a box. I also have two pizza cutters. I love to cook and I’m going to love it even more when I don’t have to painstakingly stack one of my sets of measuring cups just to get the utensil drawer to close.

-Sheets:

You know how many sets of sheets you need? Like, two. I have something like seven…maybe more. Like I said, there’s lots lurking in my closet. They’re all going but my favorites. You have been warned, crappy sheets.

-Failed Crafts:

Once upon a time, I fancied myself someone who crocheted. This means I crocheted about half of three different scarves. I haven’t crocheted in well over ten years. That stuff’s gotta go. Also out of time is anything glitter-related, materials for collages (hi, it’s called Pinterest) and random scraps of faded construction paper.

-Papers:

Before I bought my house, I lived in the basement of the house I grew up in for two years. That’s a story for another time, but for those years, about 85% of my possessions were resting patiently in boxes at the other end of said basement. This means no desk, no folders, no file cabinet. My papers ended up in boxes and made their way into my house where they still reside in my home office (ok, fine, it’s a junk room). There are really so few papers you need to keep these days, so everything else has a date with the shredder.

-Lame Home Decor:

I love love love buying cute little things to decorate my house with. So I bought too many of them. And they’re all cute, but they’re not all meaningful. I started a habit a few years back where instead of buying cheesy souvenirs when I travel, I buy a few beautiful postcards and I also find a local shop and buy something that will always remind me of the trip. I’m ready to clear prime space for those so I can see them every day. That means bye bye generic vase from Pier One.

-Random Toiletries:

There is lotion under my sink in the bathroom that’s AT LEAST five years old. Gross. I have a pretty simple skincare routine. None of it includes five year old lotion. Or expired contact solution. Or three tubes of Neosporin. All the hair ties can stay.

-Spices:

Like I said before, I love to cook! And if I’m being honest, I’m also pretty darn good at it. I’m not as good at it when I’m creating avalanches of spice containers that fly out of my cabinet. I also have bought so much ground ginger it’s ridiculous. Time to get rid of the old (there’s a lot), reorganize, and get ready for every meal to taste better.

-Jewelry:

I wear like three necklaces. That’s it. I have probably 50. I don’t wear bracelets anymore but I probably have over 50 of those. They take up TWO hanging jewelry organizers. Does anyone need some silver bangles?

Oh I’m Keeping You…

-Nail Polish:

About three years ago, I stopped biting my nails for good. I had bitten them since I was about seven and even managed to gnaw on them when I had braces on (such a talented child). But I finally gave it up. Now on most Sundays, I have a little ritual in the evening where I paint them for the next week, and I like my little ritual. I read an article where a woman who was moving to a more minimal lifestyle cut it down to one color of polish. One. No thank you. They don’t take up much space and they make me happy.

-Comfy Pants:

Yes, I know I said I was going to get rid of tons of clothes. This does not include comfy pants. You can never have too many pairs and no one will ever convince me otherwise.

-Books:

If you are ever with me and we walk by a bookstore and you don’t want to spend at least an hour perusing the shelves with me, just physically prevent me from going through the door. I love buying books so much I should probably go to some sort of meeting. I often will read a book and then find a new home for it with a friend I think will also like it or I’ll take a big batch to work and let people go for it. But if I really love it, I keep it. And I keep adding to my collection. I have about *gulp* 200 books in my home that I have not read yet. Is that a lot? Yes! Am I going to stop? No! Books are one of the most beautiful escapes you can have and I want to have lots of escapes to choose from at all times.

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Now I’m all pumped up to get to decluttering! I probably won’t be able to start in earnest until this fall, but having these down will give me great places to start or if I have time to do a small project before I try to take on everything else. So tell me, what is your favorite thing to place to declutter and why?