There are many large projects on my to-do list that I simply do not have the time* (or maybe just not the energy or motivation) to tackle. One of these projects is cleaning out my closet. I often delay doing things if I cannot do them perfectly. For my closet, I wish to remove, evaluate, sort, and put away
every. single. item. In my mind, doing it perfectly would mean that I would have 4 boxes: give-away, dry-cleaning, iron**, back in closet. I would then perfectly put everything back into my closet with matching hangers, clothes grouped by color and sleeve length, and all of the clothes facing the same way.
This has been on my to-do list for years, and it hasn't happened yet. Instead of beating myself up over this shortcoming, I've implemented a less-perfect plan to clear my closet of clutter one day at a time.
I purchased a canvas bin from
Bed Bath and Beyond and placed it on the floor of my closet. I used my label maker (lest I forget why the bin is on the floor?!) and labeled it "
Goodwill." As I stand in my closet dressing in the morning, I will inevitably see something that hasn't been worn in 4 years, doesn't fit, has a stain, is out of style, still has the tags on, is ruined... And I toss it in the bin. If I'm feeling lazy and unproductive - I walk into my closet and toss something into the bin.
I love the feeling of putting something in my Goodwill bin. I think the bin works because it is a temporary holding space. I empty the bin (take it to Goodwill) twice per month. Thus when I toss something into the bin, it isn't permanent, I could still hang it back up in my closet. And yet, that has never happened. For the past several months I've been happily hauling clothing to Goodwill and my closet is looking better and better each day. Not perfect, but definitely very good!
*I'm trying to be more honest with myself. Do I really not accomplish things because of lack of time - or is it my lack of time management, perseverance, or motivation?
**I put my clothes away un-ironed. As a result, I'm often ironing clothes in the morning when I'm already a few minutes late. I end up both late and quasi-wrinkly. Not good.
6 comments:
I think that's a great solution! Cleaning out bit by bit is a good idea. :)
What a great way to make things more manageable. I can never seem to get big projects done, but I could so that.
That is very smart. Who cares whether you do it in one chunk or gradually as long as you get the desired result?
And I hate ironing and do the same thing with ironing as I need clothing rather than all at once. Probably not smart, but it is my current reality.
Great idea! I have two garbage bags full of clothes to take to Goodwill sitting in my garage. Ahhh the joys of moving (three months ago)!
Baby steps! This is a great idea. Good for you and good for those less fortunate.
I love your Goodwill box idea.
Regarding time - I have the same problem. So last weekend I made my customary to-do list but I added time estimates. Once I realized how long things really take (my estimates weren't that far off!) and got to work doing them I found out that I really don't have enough time to do everything on my to do list, BUT if I actually use good time management, I can still get a lot more done than I have been. It seems kind of obvious, but it was an epiphany for me. :)
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