Spring cleaning sounds like a chore, but I really like it. I love to organize and let go of things I no longer need. It's one of those things where I seasonally like to shed a little bit, and I think it's nice to just get inspired by the weather and become a little bit more minimal.
Don't get me wrong, I'm someone who loves my stuff, but I also know that I can't keep ALL of the stuff. And there's something satisfying about going through your things and taking an inventory of what you regularly use and love. As for the rest? It's got to go. I'm really not someone who has to hang on to things. Especially because we're living in a small home, there isn't space for anything but what our family intentionally wants to have.
When I go to clean things out, I start with toys.I think kids should have toys they love, for sure. But having too many toys leaves them feeling overwhelmed. When they don't know what to play with, they don't have as much fun playing. We're lucky on this front because Jupiter isn't overly attached to her toys. She has a few special stuffies that we'll keep forever, but otherwise she's happy to pass her toys along to her little sister or someone else. She'll even help me go through them sometimes and point out what she doesn't play with anymore. If I think Emerson will get some play out of a toy, we'll keep it. Otherwise, we rehome or donate it.
Then it's off to my closet to go through clothes, bags, and shoes. This is getting easier for me. I really try to shop in a way that prioritizes timeless pieces, so I've been doing a lot less cleanout than I used to. But if I haven't worn something in years, that's a good sign that I don't need it. Do I keep some treasures to wear later or give to my girls? Of course—that's what the storage unit is for. But especially now that I'm a mom, my style has become a lot more streamlined. And when I do shop, it's one-for-one. If I'm bringing a new jacket in, I'm probably going to get rid of a jacket I don't really wear.
