Just as Mother Nature is saying "Out with the old, and in with the new," you should be too!
Open the windows, take a breath of fresh air, spring is here!
After yet another winter season has passed, it is quite easy for us to accumulate piles of junk and unnecessary items that we no longer have use for. Spring is a time of renewal not just for you, but for your belongings.
When you decide it is time to spring into action and clean your living space, consider sorting through and tossing some of these items that no longer serve a purpose. This will allow you to reorganize, simplify and renew your eclectic collection as the start of a new season approaches!
1. Non-matching or tangled, old jewelry. It is easy throughout the year to lose a stone in a necklace, an earring's twin or the charm to an Alex and Ani. Take a peek at what's in your jewelry box and make sure that all of your pieces have a match and are wearable.
2. Clothes that no longer fit. Let's face it, if you haven't worn it in a year, donate it. Whether or not it is too big or too small, it will be better any place besides the floor of your closest. Put it to good use!
3. Shoes that you have grown out of. If they give you blisters, you only have one shirt that matches them, or if they are scuffed and have seen better days, toss them.
4. Old nail polish or make up. Dried up, half empty nail polish? It is just taking up space. Believe it or not, make up actually expires. Replace items like eyeliner and mascara every three months. It is worth taking a look at what items you no longer use and being able to make room for this seasons shades.
5. Singular socks. I am pretty sure that no one exactly knows where all of our missing socks go, but if you have singles, give them a toss. You know you will never find its match.
6. Collection of holiday cards from people you don't really know. Everyone has the overwhelming collection of greeting cards, thank you notes and birthday cards from people we don't really know or talk to that often. They take up valuable space, and there will be more to come. Recycle them.
7. Ratty Towels. Sort out the towels that have holes, are fraying at the ends and are no longer soft. Purchase a few new ones; you won't regret it.
8. That old semi or prom dress lying around. If you look in your closest right now I guarantee there is at least one dress from a semi-formal or prom that no longer fits correctly and is simply outdated. The memories are in your heart, not the dress.
9. Broken electronics. Old or broken phone chargers, back up phones that don't work or that old MP3 laying around, get rid of them. Make room for the new!
10. Old and stained pillows. Even though they are covered the majority of the time, pillows get pretty dirty. Consider replacing it or giving it a thorough wash with some bleach!
11. Broken or old phone cases. We get it, you throw it the extra draw even though you know you won't put it back on your phone because it’s filthy and probably all scratched up. Toss it!
12. Books or schoolbooks you know you aren't reading again. More of us than not have some sort of extra book laying around collecting dust. Consider recycling or selling it!
13. Promotional freebies. Throughout the year the number of tumbler cups, lanyards, pens that don't work and company labeled mints and ChapSticks we acquire is astonishing. If you haven't used it already, chances are you won't in the future.
14. Tickets/ Receipts. Our wallets and purses fill up unknowingly with massive amounts of Dunkin Donuts receipts and movie tickets from weeks ago! Sort them out and make sure you no longer need them first, then toss what you don't need.
15. Junk Mail or paperwork. It is nothing we aren't used to: the piles of junk mail, take-out menus or brochures that are lying around. Figure out what you need and file it in an orderly fashion so you know what you have and where to find it!
Make the most out of your spring cleaning this year! Start the season off right: fresh, simplified and organized!
