My Thoughts On: Decluttering

You know how in the movies when there is a group of people sitting in a circle of plastic chairs for a therapy session? I imagine how uncomfortable most everyone is and those very few that have gone so many times that they feel way to comfortable there. Each person takes their turn to introduce themselves and "admit that they have a problem," and everyone else drones out a bored sounding greeting back.

"Hello everyone. My name is Rachel and I'm a packrat."
"Hiiii Raaaacheeeel."

Too bad there is not a mainstream Hoarders Anonymous. It is obvious to me that I will never be someone who lives a minimalist lifestyle. Kudos to those who do as it seems so modern and less stressful. I personally love have knick knacks around the house, most with sentimental value or are used daily, as it seems more homey. I come from a family of packrats, so parking my car in a garage is an experience I have yet to have.

A couple months ago when I first started the plans for moving to the city where my husband works (and long before that), I noticed (again) how much clothes I have. I do wear most of it, but the sheer volume of clothes in my closet, in drawers, and in purposefully placed piles seemed like too much. My husband, who is definitely a minimalist, backed me up on that observation. The last time I purged my wardrobe I donated five or six full trash bags of clothing. The purge before that it was two or three bags of clothes.

It had never even crossed my mind to go through my makeup collection until I watched makeup declutter videos from beauty YouTubers, @thataylaa and @katrinberndt. It took way longer than I anticipated, but I gathered up a good chunk of products that I don't reach for or have never actually touched. @thataylaa had the awesome idea to donate her gently used makeup to an organization called Project Beauty Share, who provides women in need with cosmetics and feminine products to get them back on their feet and help them regain their dignity. Regardless, I plan on donating whatever makeup I can and giving away or tossing what I can't.

What I actually kept included primers, foundations that actually match my skin tone, face/setting powders, blushes, highlighters, a bronzer (that I'm still playing with), eyeshadow palettes and singles, several eyeliner pens, a gel eyeliner pot, several lip liners, several eyebrow pencils, an eyebrow powder, and a dip brow pomade. I'm obviously super indecisive on how to fill in my eyebrows at the moment. If I ever get down a real routine, I will likely donate the other products.

What really helped me be ruthless was the idea that everything has a home, even if it is not yours.

Now to purge the wardrobe again.