{"id":2131,"date":"2024-08-16T08:47:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T14:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/?p=2131"},"modified":"2024-08-16T09:07:37","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T15:07:37","slug":"got-vases-a-mini-decluttering-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/got-vases-a-mini-decluttering-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"A Mini Decluttering Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This mini decluttering challenge<\/strong> is the perfect way to jump-start your home organization goals. If you want to declutter but don’t know where to start, getting one space cleared and cleaned can be very satisfying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve been writing about simplifying life since 2010, and getting rid of clutter is an ongoing process for our family. When our house feels clean and organized, it makes a huge difference in our daily lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Calm house, calm life” is one of my favorite decluttering quotes<\/a>. A peaceful, comfortable, tidy home can feel like an oasis and a place of restoration in the midst of life’s many challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizing an entire house can seem like a daunting task, but tidying up one space at a time can be a catalyst that helps us experience the joy of uncluttered spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

13 Simple Decluttering Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ideas for decluttering fast<\/a> by tackling a single, manageable space. Some of these are 15 minute tasks<\/a>, and others may take a little longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Spice cabinet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Dishtowel drawer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. One bookshelf<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Kitchen counter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Games and Puzzles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Medicine cabinet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Coat closet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Underwear drawer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Tupperware or container collection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Junk drawer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. The cabinet under the kitchen sink<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Linen closet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Vase collection<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Clearing and Organizing a Cabinet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Let me share my own experience with #13 on the list, trying to rein in the chaos of a cabinet stuffed full of vases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I love fresh flowers, and often have a few posies in a vase or jar to brighten the kitchen where I work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Recently I tried to find a vase in the crowded laundry room cabinet. Everything was so jammed in I could hardly move the items, and I saw my overflowing collection with new, critical eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do we really need quite so many containers to hold flowers?<\/em> I wondered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    To face the question truthfully, I removed every vase from the depths of the cabinet and arranged them on the kitchen table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was somewhat astounded to discover 25 vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Vase<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Faced with the vases, I was also confronted with the two opposing sides of my domestic personality. The happy simple living side of me is, most of the time, truly content to whittle down possessions, enjoy orderly spaces, and keep just a few things that I really enjoy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the Martha Stewart side of me loves having many, many choices of domestic goods in every color, size and shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    25 vases? Maybe I’ll need them in case I want to get creative and make pretty arrangements: <\/p>\n\n\n\n