As mothers, I'm not sure that we ever leave the nesting phase.
I remember being in my second or third trimester of pregnancy and getting the itch to nest. I wanted to clean, declutter, tidy all the forgotten areas, and make life at home so cozy. But I'll be honest, my son is now 14 months old and I don't think the "nesting phase" ever went away.
Since becoming a mom, I feel like every new stage requires new stuff. At first, you don't need anything for your baby except clothes, diapers, and some burp cloths! However, that quickly changes when you realize you need a baby swing, then a playpen, then a jolly jumper, then bibs and different toys and a highchair and..... the list goes on. (Oh and I know, the word "need" here is used lightly!)
If you're like me and constantly trying to keep up with your baby's new skills/development/interests, but want your home to grow along with your kid(s), then I need to share with you my simple and essential strategy for maintaining a tidy home.
The 'One In, One Out' Method
I'll be the first to admit that I love shopping. I love the thrill of purchasing new items for my family and for my home, and I definitely am always on the hunt for a good deal. I try thrifting most of my items to save money, but that doesn't help decluttering the home. That's why I created the 'One In, One Out' Method, meaning that every time I purchase a new item, I donate or sell an equivalent number of items (or more!) from my home. Here are some examples of what I'm talking about.
I received a pair of loafers for my birthday, so I donated another pair that I had.
I purchased two pairs of jeans from a thrift store, so I listed three pairs on Facebook Marketplace (if they don't sell within a couple week, I'll just donate them).
We bought a new-to-us rocker glider chair, and sold our rocking chair.
I bought a couple new toys for my son at the thrift store, and donated a bunch he grew out of.
I genuinely feel like maintaining a tidy home requires you to consistently purge what you aren't using. I've tried to train myself to be somewhat relentless when it comes to donating things. I try not to hold too much emotion to material items, so that I'm not feeling tied to them when I feel the need to declutter my home. You have to be honest with yourself and whether certain items are actually necessities (or even used at all).
So tell me! What's your strategy for decluttering? I certainly hope this method was as helpful for you as it has been for me. If you tried it, let me know by leaving a comment!
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