MISSION ORGANIZATION - Closet

First things first…yeah, it’s been 6 months. That’s how I roll! When I can blog, FABULOUS! I love it! When I can’t…I’ve got other priorities.

But, for now, I’m baaaack! And excited to share my organization kick with you! Every person has to have their own method of organization in order to STAY organized. I’m still trying to find mine. But the BEST advice I’ve read/heard that is starting to stick with me is:

IF EVERYTHING HAS A HOME…YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF STAYING ORGANIZED!

Most things in my home have a general vicinity of organization, but not a SPECIFIC home. So, I’m working on changing that. I started with one drawer in my kitchen. I know, I’m reachin’ high here! ;) But, it’s stuck, and it helps me from wanting to shout expletives when I go to find the can opener and have to shuffle through 5 other kitchen gadgets in the drawer before I find it. (I never really wanted to shout expletives, but you know what I’m sayin’!). So…that drawer has STAYED organized.

Then, I moved onto the bathroom in our master bedroom, which I will share in a separate post.

Thirdly, I attacked my closet. Eeek! The reason why, is similar to the drawer in the kitchen. I couldn’t even WALK into my closet and was getting so frustrated at trying to do gymnastics trying to reach something in my closet.  Here are a few more before pics to help you understand the chaos that WAS my closet. I took an afternoon to filter through the clothes to REALLY, TRULY keep what should be in my closet. The following was my rule of thumb:

WOULD I SPEND MONEY ON IT NOW IN THE STORE? YES? THEN KEEP IT! IF NOT, GIVE AWAY.

Note to self: Don’t attempt this task in one evening. With that said, I’m thrilled I did, because now I can breath when I step into my closet. However, before I show you the after shots, let me show you the “during the process” shots.Yeah, even my dog is mocking me. =)  Did I mention that one of the secrets to organization is learning what works for YOU? I had some attempts at organization previously. For example, I had all my shoes in plastic boxes. Yeah, I’ve learned, that’s not gonna work for me. I simply did not put them back.

The next step to this process was finding a home for all the other C-R-A-P that had found its way into my closet. Exhibit A: Did you hear me say a HOME? Not just move it to the laundry room, or a corner in another room. Ugh…that’d be so much easier though, huh?

Next, I found a good home for the clothes I chose not to keep. There wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with them, they just didn’t fit, or I wasn’t in love with it…and I clearly have PLENTY! So, I gave a laundry basket + a garbage bag full of clothes to a few friends to search through. Hopefully they find something to compliment their wardrobes!

Almost lastly…I sat back to admire my beautiful, able to step into closet. Ahhh!See that?! Empty space!! And the decorative basket above? I’m planning on selling on Craiglist, and there’s a cute picture of myself, my husband, and my son behind it that will bring me joy when I step into my closet. =) Glee!I honestly never woulda thunk I had a shoe thing..but apparently…   I do honestly wear nearly all of them. And now that I’ve cleared out my closet and can SEE them all. Hopefully I will wear all of them in rotation! Yay! I can WALK into my WALK-IN closet now! =) And all those plastic shoe boxes? No doubt I will use them to help organize other areas in the near future.

Duh, duh, duh duh!!! The before and after!

To recap:

Step #1: Give your clothes an HONEST look. Keep only what you love or would buy again.

Step #2: Get rid of the other C-R-A-P in your closet that doesn’t belong there.

Step #3: Donate!

Step #4: Revel in your organization

Step #5: Appreciate what you have…follow the post below to see what I mean.

Now…onto my next, same-day post. *GASP* Two posts in ONE day after a 6 month gap? They kind of go hand in hand, so I sort of have to…go check it out…

...or...go be inspired at Thrifty Decor Chick. I linked up there!