Simplify Summer: Quick Organizing Projects You Can Do in 30 Minutes or Less

It’s July!

Is your July chaotic like mine?

Kids are home. This is wonderful! We get to spend all this time with them and go on amazing adventures!
It also comes with chaos, unpredictable schedules, and constant requests. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When I am overwhelmed, I like to get rid of stuff. Seriously, try it! If I can clear out one shelf, one drawer, one cabinet, I feel so much better. It’s like therapy.

So, here are 5 organizing projects you can do in just 30 minutes.

Grab your favorite drink, turn on some music, and let’s do this!

1. Purse, Diaper Bag, or pool bag reset

It’s crazy how quickly these can get out of hand. Take 10 minutes here, that’s all you need. Toss the old receipts and trash. Use pouches to group like items together. Stock up on the esssentials.

2. Junk Drawer Clean Out

Listen just throw it all away. Okay maybe not, but it’s tempting right?
What you can do is take everything out, toss duplicates, random screws, old batteries, restaurant menus, expired coupons, gross old chapstick, and anything else that doesn’t belong there. Vacuum and wipe the drawer out and put the necessities back in. Preferably with drawer organizers.

3. Entryway Tidy

This may be the entryway at the front of your house, or by your garage door. Wherever you enter from, that’s where I want you to focus. Put away all the shoes. ALL OF THEM. Toss the old mail too. Stategize where your keys should actually go. Do you need a basket for returns? Order those things and delegate installation to your spouse. Done.

4. Pantry Floor Pick-Up

The pantry floor becomes another drop zone of grocery items. Bulk purchases that we never put away, jugs of oil or vinegar that we don’t know what to do with, cases of water, old bags. Don’t worry about the rest of the pantry right now. Just focus on the floor. Toss anything expired, you clearly aren’t using it, and anything old and gross. Take the remaining items out and vacuum, sweep, and mop. Go ahead and wipe those baseboards too. As you put things back in, group them like with like. If you have a million tote bags, take the biggest one and store all the other bags in it for a quick win.

5. Car Clean out

The dreaded car…grab a trash bag and let’s get to work.
Toss the obvious trash, take items in the house or garage that don’t belong in the car, give it a quick wipe down and order yourself a car trash can. Bonus if you can do this at a car wash with a vacuum.
Check out our blog on keeping your car organized here.

It doesn’t take much to give your brain a boost. Try it!

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!

15 MORE Items To Quickly Declutter

On a decluttering kick and want to keep going? Here are 15 MORE items that are easy to declutter!

Paper & plastic shopping bags

Even if you are great at remembering to bring your reusables to the store, somehow shopping bags keep creeping into the house. And while keeping a few bags handy is helpful, they can quickly spiral! As professionals, we recommend setting a designated container for them. When they start to outgrow it, it’s time to throw some away!

junk mail

The best time to deal with junk mail is the second it comes into the house. The second best time is NOW! Get rid of it!

“Gifts” you didn’t want

This is a tough one for many of us, but if a gift isn’t serving you, it’s ok to let it go. The point of the gift was in the giving, not the keeping

toys YOU hate

Do your kids have a toy you can’t stand? Maybe it plays an annoying song or frequently breaks just enough that you have to step in and put it back together? Do yourself a favor and make it disappear!

wire hangers

Beauty Products you don’t use

receipts

Obviously some receipts may need to be kept for returns, insurance, or tax purposes. A general rule I follow is to toss any that are past their return window, are for an item that cost less than $200, and aren’t needed for taxes. That’s a lot of paper that can head right in the trash!

ketchup packets

Is your junk drawer full of ketchup packets, soy sauce, and take-out plasticware? In less than 30 seconds, it doesn’t have to be!

Christmas & greeting cards

Do you have cards cluttering up you entryway or counter months after you received them? Most of them can probably be recycled. If there are a few that are truly sentimental, display them or pack them away safely so they don’t get damaged.

old sunscreen

Did you know sunscreen expires? If it’s more than 3 years old, it may not be working as effectively. Throw it out!

markers that no longer work

Throw away any dried markers or pens that no long write

your out of control shred pile

free samples

If you weren’t excited enough to try something out right away, you probably won’t ever use it. Let it go!

Old Bridesmaid dresses

old prescription glasses

These can be donated to Lions/Rotary clubs at several WalMart locations.

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Hi, I’m Meghan,

Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.

I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!

Jump Start Your Decluttering: 15 Items to Toss NOW!

Ready to declutter, but not sure where to start? As professional organizers, we’ve compiled a list of 15 easy to declutter items to get you moving! READY, SET, DONATE!

1. expired medicine

   This is an easy one. Open up that medicine cabinet and get to work! Make sure you make a note about any medicines you may need to replace.

2. outdated electronics

   Are you still holding on to your iPhone 6? The remote for a TV you no longer have? Your boombox from middle school? Get outdated or no longer needed technology out of your house. Staples will recycle most electronics for you!

3. socks without a mate

   Are there lonely socks sitting in your laundry room pining for their partner? If you’ve managed to catch up on all the laundry (first of all- GREAT JOB!) and still no match is found, it’s time to toss.

4. candles that are more than half-used

5. business cards & flyers

I feel like everyday a new flyer or business card somehow makes it’s way into my house. Most of the time, if we need a service or even the contact information for a business associate, we can just Google it. Toss these clutter sources as quickly as they come in! If you are absolutely sure you may need someone’s info in the future, add them to your contacts! Or you can take a picture and create a folder or drive specifically for business cards.

6. shoes that hurt your feet

7. cookbooks

Unless you LOVE cooking and actually read your cookbooks, scan your favorite recipe or two from each and free up some valuable shelf space.

8. take-out containers

9 clothes that are too small

Whether the kids have outgrown them and their sentimental or you are REALLY hoping to be your goal weight again, we know this can be hard! But do it! You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

10. half-used notebooks/ old school supplies

11. books

Only save the books you are sure you’ll re-read. Don’t hang on to them in case a friend might want to borrow one- just go ahead a give them to a friend you know will enjoy them!

12. worn-looking linens

13. puzzles & games that are missing pieces

14. reusable shopping bags/ free totes

Where do these keep coming from? TOSS! Or even better, use these to collect your other donations.

15. old calendars

How many of these can you declutter today?

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Hi, I’m Meghan,

Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.

I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!

Why Decluttering is Self-Care

When you think about self-care, you probably think of bubble baths, massages, a good book, or a great cup of coffee. While those are all wonderful and enjoyable ways to pamper yourself, I would argue that true self-care goes a bit deeper.

True self-care is creating a life for yourself that you don’t have to escape from. True self-care is about doing things that protect your well-being, reduce stress, and support a happier healthier you. True self-care is therapy, self-growth, working on your communication and your relationships, creating necessary boundaries, taking care of yourself physically, finacially, and….decluttering. Self-care isn’t pampering, and it isn’t easy. It’s work. Creating a life you love takes a lot of intentionality and reflection, and it is worth every second of work you put in.

The Link Between Clutter and Mental Health

Research shows that clutter leads to feelings of anxiety, overhwhelm, shame, and depression. It’s widely known that therapy and exercise is a great way to combat these feelings, but decluttering your house is rarely talked about as a possible solution.

Visual clutter overwhelms the brain and lead to a constant fight or flight response. Causing a reduction in working memory, lack of focus, and decreased productivity.

And if you think that having these feelings of anxiety and overwhelm isn’t affecting your sex life, think again.

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“Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.”

— theconversation.com

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The Link Between Clutter and Physical Health

Studies have shown that clutter is correlated to poor eating habits. Partipants in a cluttered spaces eat more junk food, and in more quantity, than those in a tidy space. Those with cluttered homes are also more likely to be overweight.

On the contrarty, those with tidy homes tend to exercise more.

My Challenge To You

My challenge to you is this: pay attention.
Pay attention to how your body and mind feel when your home is out of order vs when its in order. Pay attention to the moments that you feel particuarly close to your kids or husband - what is the state of the room you’re in?
When you’re feeling a lack of patience, bitterness, resentfulness - look around you. Just observe. Then talk about what you’ve observed to your partner and/or a therapist.

Make a Change

It’s time. Here are a few fun ways to get started!

• Call some girlfriends over, drink wine, declutter together. Next weekend, go to another friend’s house and repeat.

• Start small. You don’t have to tackle the garage you can’t walk into. You can start with a drawer, a shelf, a cabinet.

• Make it a game. Whoever fills their box first gets ice cream! Or try the miniamlism game.

• Make it entertaining. Turn on the Home Edit, Marie Kondo, or listen to a decluttering podcast while you work.

• Reward yourself. Celebrate your wins by doing something you enjoy!

Final Thoughts

Self-care is about showing up for yourself - not just in the fun and pampering ways, but in the practical ways that make your day to day life more enjoyable. Decluttering isn’t just about your home. It's about your mental health, your physical health, your time, your peace, and your relationships.

So next time you feel overwhelmed, try clearing off a surface instead of taking a bath. Chances are you’ll feel lighter and more energized. That is the magic of decluttering.

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!

Decluttering Tips from our Professional Organizing Team

The first, and often most important step to getting organized, is to declutter. As professional organizers, we know that this can be a big struggle for many people. So many decisions to make! How do you know what to keep? We asked our team for their favorite tricks. So here are some tips to be like Elsa and LET IT GO!

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General Decluttering Tips For Your Whole Home

If it’s not a “Hell Yes!”, it’s a no.

Marie Kondo would call this “Sparking Joy”. This is our more casual version of that advice. If you don’t love it- why keep it?! This is one of Naomi’s favorite saying. I even hear her voice when I shop, before the clutter even enters my home. Love it or let it go!

One-In, One-Out

This is an easy one. When something new enters your home, let it replace something old. This prevents you from mindlessly accumulating and ending up with 8 spatulas. This is also an easy one to teach to kids. “This is a great new unicorn hoodie! I wonder if there are any old ones that don’t fit anymore?”

Rule of 20/20

This is a favorite from The Minimalists. If you’re holding something in your hand, trying to make that decision and feeling stuck, this can be the deal breaker. If you can replace it in under 20 minutes for less than $20, let it go.

Rule OF 90/90

Another favorite from The Minimalists. Have you used this item in the past 90 days? If not, will you use it in the next 90 days? If your answer to both questions is no, it’s probably a safe bet that you can get rid of it. 

The EX-Test

This is MY favorite! If this item was left at an ex’s apartment, would you contact them to get it back? (LOL!!)

Is it broken?

If it has been broken for more than a month and you haven’t fixed it, you’re not going to get around to it. Let it go.

stop saying “Just in case'“

Don’t allow a “just in case” to take up space.

Would i buy this again?

If you were shopping right now, would you purchase this item again?

Decluttering Your Closet

is the item in good condition?

Is it ripped, stained, faded, broken buttons, etc? Don’t bother hanging on to clothes that look worn and sloppy.

The Hanger trick

This is a popular decluttering method on social media. Turn your hangers backwards. As you wear your clothing, turn the hangers the other way. At the end of year, any hangers facing backwards are a sign that you haven’t worn that piece of clothing for that year. It’s time to purge that item. A word of caution with this one: backwards hangers may decrease the day to day functionality of your closet. However, this is a great tip for visual learners.

listen to a stylist

Rachel Nachmias, a style consultant and author of The Curated Wardrobe, offers this advice: When buying an item ask yourself, “Is it practical? Is it flattering? Do I like it?” These questions work for both shopping and when decluttering.

does it fit?

There’s nothing wrong with keeping a few items of clothing if you are currently fluctuating sizes for whatever reason- we get it! A limited selection of clothing in a size up or down makes sense for many people, especially women in our “momming” years. But if half your closet is taken up with clothing that no longer fits, it may be time for some purging. Unless there’s a great reason to hang on to a piece of clothing, if it doesn’t fit, say goodbye.

Decluttering Sentimental Items and Gifts

recognizing the reason for the gift

The importance of the gift was the giving and receiving, not the physical object. We someone give you a present, they want you to enjoy it. If you no longer do, it’s ok to re-gift it or donate it.

Treasure or chore?

A box-full of sentimental items is a treasure, a garage-full, a chore. Whether you are hanging on to sentimental items for yourself or for your family, less is more. Too many sentimental items is overwhelming! Looking through these keepsakes should be a pleasant way to reminisce, but if you keep everything your memorabilia will be a source of stress instead of joy.

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Hi, I’m Meghan

Professional organizer, mom, former educator, wife, and auntie. I am dedicated to minimalism, greener living, and community service.

I believe organization can relieve stress and help all aspects of your life function more smoothly. I hope the information here can help you create a more peaceful home and lifestyle!