One of the things I am more determined to improve on is keeping my belongings under control. While I have always been a clean and reasonably neat person, I do have a habit of overbuying and stocking up “just in case”. I am self-aware enough to acknowledge this comes from my childhood and teens years. I grew up in Housing Commission and while we never went hungry, we also never had any life luxuries. Then I left home at 16 and had even less money to spend on anything that was not essential.
As I became an adult and had more money available to me, I started making more purchases and having extras. I developed a habit of having “backups”, meaning I would always have at least one but usually more in a stockpile. This habit really exploded when I had our daughter. I was always worried about running out or not having time to go to the shops.
Fast forward 10 years and I am getting better at keeping minimal stock levels. However, BOOM insert a global pandemic and the great toilet paper panic buy of 2020 and I have noticed I am slipping back into old habits.
I am a big believer in a cluttered home means a cluttered mind. So here I am once again, needing to curb my purchasing and maintain a normal amount of “inventory” in my home.
So my project this week is to clean, organise, and declutter my makeup and beauty items.
I have already completed this a few months ago, however, decluttering is never really done and is an ongoing process in your home. I need to take stock of what items I have, what I need, and what I don’t use anymore and I know my draws certainly need a clean. Insert photo of my eyebrow pencil shavings I have been doing directly into my acrylic holder instead of the bin. #lazymummode
Quick disclaimer: I am NOT a massive makeup user namely because I have no idea how to apply contour, do a smokey eye, or even use a lip liner. So to some this will not seem like a large number of items to go thru. However, an important lesson in life is that what is an issue for one person might not be the same for another.
Always remember that wonderful saying of “to each their own”……..
Here is an example of my day to day makeup and face care. You can see it is pretty minimal and very basic. I never buy “fad” colours or products and stick with pretty much the same brands since I was a teenager. Every now and then I do try a new product or brand and usually experience regret. I am never happy with the change and it ends up being a big waste of money.
Today’s project was just decluttering and organizing my two draws and mirror cupboard shelves.
I allowed 30 mins to do this as I knew it was not a major job. Sometimes setting smaller goals is much less overwhelming than saying “I’m going to clean and organise the WHOLE bathroom”.
Little steps make massive changes. It can save you feeling like a failure when you usually run out of time trying to finish the big projects.
So this is how I did it……..
Note: Make sure you have a garbage bag ready to go for items you want to throw out and another bag for items you want to donate or give to friends. I also use two laundry baskets; one for items that should not be there and need to go elsewhere in the house or items that I am unsure of what to do with, and the second basket I put the things I am keeping so the surface is clear for cleaning.
Step 1.
Rather than handle items twice, I am more of touch once and make a decision kind of gal. So instead of pulling everything out at once and making a massive messy pile all over the floor and feeling totally overwhelmed, I simply take out one item and make the decision then and there if I am going to keep, donate or throw. If you do come across an item you are unsure of, I put it in one of the baskets until the end where I re-assess again.
Step 2.
Once I have gone thru everything, I have another look at my “keep” basket and really think about what I need and use. Remember items are generally easily replaced if you make the wrong decision, so it is not like its the end of the world if you throw out that mascara you have not used in a year. You can always buy another one for a minimal amount of money. However, getting rid of those hardly used items can make a massive difference to your daily routine. You will find yourself getting ready quicker with fewer choices and decisions to make. You will find you can maintain organised draws as you have less “inventory” in them. You can easily see when you are running low on a product and get a replacement before it runs out. This step also highlights the overbuying you are doing (refer photo).
Step 3.
I then clean the area by first vacuuming (hair is usually everywhere 🤢) and then wipe everything down with a damp microfibre cloth and natural cleaner.
Step 4.
Once the area is clean, it is time to put things back in their place. I use containers, dividers, or even shoe boxes as this always makes keeping the area tidy so much easier. You can buy fancy containers but in order to reduce my consumption and save money, I usually just grab something I already have and make do. It won’t always be Pinterest worthy, but life is not always a perfectly filtered image.
Step 5.
Stand back and admire your hard work and you will find the next morning will be a smoother, less stressful experience but simply having less clutter and choices to make.
So there you go…a quick easy 30 min task that can make a massive difference to your morning routine. Remove that feeling of too much choice and being overwhelmed and start your day on the right note.
Why not give it a go yourself and tag me in any social media photos to show me how you went. Good Luck!
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