Tips on Tidying Up Your Home and Shopping Less

Out with the Old, In with the New: Quick Tips on Tidying Up Your Home and Shopping Less

Lately, I have felt overwhelmed by too much stuff around the house. It started to feel crowded and messy which was impeding on being able to have a clear mind to focus on work or even just relax at home. What has made matters even worse is that my tastes have been changing in both fashion and decor. I feel the grown-up version of me gravitating towards neutral and more sophisticated graphics while the old me is still trying to hang on to lots of colors and bols patterns.  So I have created a few rules for myself that help me keep clutter to a minimum while my tastes go through this “growing-up” transition…

Buy One, Give Two

Every time I add something new to my home, I have to give away two of a similar item.  It has helped me clear out a lot of my closet and collection of home decor items.  I used to have a difficult time giving items away, but when I really think about it, why have one more pair of shoes on the shelf when someone else could enjoy them?  Classic pieces are my go-to now anyway while others just take up space in my closet. Most items I’ve been donating to the GoodWill, Salvation Army or local Women’s Shelters and others I’ve been posting to my Poshmark account.  I must say, it feels so good to clear out items from my house.

If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Buy It

Another rule I have is that if I do not absolutely love something, I won’t buy it. It has to make my heart “pitter-patter” as I say. I also always ask myself “do I have something like this?” If the answer is yes than it’s not coming home with me. This helps me keep my shopping to a minimum and from owning multiple of a similar item. Except for hats, there seem to be hundreds of different kinds of hats!

Does it Bring You Joy?

I jumped on the Marie Kondo organizing method bandwagon a few months ago and adjusted it to my own liking.  Following her method to a T goes something like this: take everything out of your closet and go through each item one by one….yeah, that’s just not happening. I wouldn’t be able to sleep on my bed for days if I tried that. There is just too much stuff in my closet and I would likely get distracted half way through and never finish the task. So I am taking a more simplified approach…. when I see an item in my closet I ask myself the same thing she asks her clients “does this item bring me joy?” If the answer is no, away it goes. A lot of items just exist – no feelings of any kind towards them. I want everything that surrounds me to bring me some sense of happiness.

Understanding the Quick High Shopping Brings

Why do we feel the need to have so much stuff? I ask myself this question all the time. Buying something new gives us a quick high. I’ll speak for myself when I say that I love the thrill of shopping. Buying something shiny and new to bring home and add to my collection of other beautiful objects is a real thing.

But another thing that keeps my shopping excitement in check is remembering how much stuff I already have at home and how much those items already bring me joy. As much as I love to feature new items here on the blog and Instagram, I am going to make a much stronger effort to re-wear items you have already seen here on the blog. And often times where I am considering a purchase, I think of something else I would rather have more than that one item. Lately, it’s been a particular pair of shoes and a trip to Argentina with my polo team.

So the next time you’re torn on a purchase ask yourself these questions before spending your hard-earned money:

1. Am I willing to give two items away to add this to my collection?
2. Do I absolutely love it?
3. Does it bring me joy and will it continue to do so?
4. Would I rather purchase something else?

As always, thank you for stopping by! And if you would like to see more photos from my closet reveal click here!

Do you have any home organization tips?  Share in a comment below!

xoxo,
Laura

Photos by Taylor Lynn Photo