I first posted this series a few years ago. When I decided to re-purpose our junk room, God taught me a lot more than I expected, touching both my heart and my spirit in the process. When Linda Stoll shared about some purging she did, I mentioned this series. She expressed interest in reading it, and I thought maybe others would enjoy this three-week series as well. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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I never knew a simple decision would lead to so much heart change.
A challenge to create more white space in my life, my home . . .
An author friend issued a challenge to create more white space in my home. Though I wanted to do this, the only room that came to mind was my project/clutter/things-to-sell/stuff-I don’t-know-what-to-do-with room.
And I had no idea of how to begin.
Until two ladies heard what I wanted to do and planted a vision of what this room could be. This vision took root in my heart—the hope of a space where I could breathe. We came up with a plan and a deadline. I work well with deadlines.
Let me put something out in the open right now. Guilt can be a difficult force to reckon with. There were items in this room that I had hardly touched. I felt bad for having spent money and then never used them. Every time my gaze caught on them, my thoughts condemned me. I really should use them before getting rid of them, right?
Only, that was partially why this room had become the disaster it was.
I had to come to terms with the fact that I hadn’t thought those purchases through. After time, I realized that it would be better to give these items to someone who would actually use them. I felt convicted about the money I had wasted. This is when I had to remember the vision I had for this room.
I set to work. I’m not gonna lie. It took me hours to sift through everything.
I worked thirty minutes a day for a number of weeks. I began in the closet—going through every shelf, every bin—and evaluated whether the items deserved the space they occupied. Did I really need over 100 gift bags (I might be hanging my head at that admission)? What about those travel toys the boys outgrew years ago?
I worked my way around the room, considering every item. I asked myself three questions:
Have I used it in the last year?
Did it bring me joy?
Did it instill within me a desire to use it again?
I filled bags with stuff to give away, sell, and throw away. With hubs’ blessing, we sold our computer desk and desktop computer because we rarely used them. Removing unneeded flat spaces also eliminated areas for stuff to land.
Some lessons I learned in creating my white space:
- Having an end vision/dream for this space was a huge motivator to get the work done. Setting a deadline for when people would come and help finish things up also gave me that push on days when I felt tired of dealing with it all.
- I had to be intentional about making the change in this room. I determined in my mind that doing the work was worth the investment of time it would take.
- Going through my stuff forced me to consider whether the things added or subtracted value in my life. Seeing all the “noise” in my project room overwhelmed and depleted me. I wanted it to be my creative space, but everything was speaking to—condemning and distracting—me from the purpose of that room. As I evaluated books, catalogs, crafting supplies, and other miscellaneous stuff, I realized I hadn’t used most of these in years. Why in the world was I allowing them to hog space in my small room?
- I set a time limit for each day. Thirty minutes was a good period to dig in, work hard, and then move into the rest of my day. Some people may only have ten minutes a day to invest. Or maybe, that shorter amount of time is all they can bear to be in the room. Decide on a time limit, set a timer, and then work hard for those minutes.
- Keep the end vision in mind. This fosters inspiration when the work feels tedious.
It’s worth it to spend the time to create white space in our homes, in our lives.
Can I just say—purging makes me giddy with happiness. I think it’s because I now have space to breathe, to open up my creativity. The more space I created in this room, the easier it became to get rid of the things that weighed me down.
I’m breathing more deeply. After investing the time to do the work, I now have a “creativity nook.” I feel empowered. I am beyond happy about this room. I can breathe at a soul-level.
And my spirit feels the peace of white space.
What about you? What’s the hardest part for you when it comes to purging? How do you decide what to keep and what get rid of?
Click to Tweet: Going through my stuff forced me to consider whether the things added or subtracted value in my life
I’m linking up with #TellHisStory and #RaRaLinkup
There’s so much in this post I can relate to.
It’s so hard for me to part with things that have sentimental value, as well as things I spent money on and then didn’t use. The latter makes me feel guilty that I just squandered money on these items.
Your post inspired me to stop procrastinating. I like the idea of setting a timer.
Thanks for your words, Sandra. I’m glad this post helped you! I find it’s so easy to bring things into our home, but so much harder to get rid of things for the reasons you shared. 🙂 Sometimes, we have to own that, yes, we did end up wasting money. I’m learning to think through the “after” of purchasing something. What will happen after I buy it? Will I use it? Will it fulfill the purpose for which I’m buying it? AM I buying it for a specific reason or just because? This is helping me to be more careful with how I spend money. I’m so glad the timer idea resonates with you. Happy decluttering!
Jeanne, I appreciate the idea to work on projects like this for 30 minutes a day. I need to take that approach to my basement storage room, where I still have stuff from my parents’ home to go through and need to take it in smaller doses. I love that you’re giving us an encore performance of your white space project … It will help inspire me as we are currently working on redoing some shelves in our master closet. Sounds simple, but the shelf unit in question has been used as our linen closet/medicine cabinet for nine years and is way overdue for a transformation! I’ve taken the same approach to going through everything … getting rid of old stuff and things I’ve kept for years but will never use! Looking forward to the next posts, my friend.
Lois, setting a timer is so helpful for me. And after working on a specific space for a few days, I can already see progress. That is motivation enough to keep working. 🙂 In the case of working through your parents’ things. Give yourself grace to take things slowly. I imagine there will be emotions and memories coupled with some of the things in your basement. I love your wording of transforming things!
Jeanne, this came at a good time for me. My husband is retiring some time this fall, and that means that at some point we will be leaving our home of 40 years. I don’t want my children to have to deal with the clutter (it was a nightmare when we cleaned out my father’s house), so I’m trying to get ahead of it now. My problem isn’t stuff I spent money on, but things with sentimental value. And photographs — I’m the caretaker of family photos going back to the 1920s. Hope to do some scanning this winter, when I can’t get out. At some point or other I also have to confront my husband about the VCR tapes, sigh. Thanks Jeanne…
Kathy, I’m so glad this post came at a good time. I’m with you. I don’t want our children to have to deal with clutter. I’ve seen too many of my friends have to face that after their parents passed away. I’m pretty good about purging most things . . . but the old family photos (I have some too!)? I just can’t bear to part with them yet. Things with sentimental value can be tricky. I found that really walking through those questions helped me, especially when I thought about the idea that some of my things could be a blessing for other people should I decide to part with them. I hope your move goes smoothly whenever it happens, my friend.
Oh! How apropos! I have just moved (sort of) after living in Florida for 5 1/2 years. How I detest moving! And rather than sorting through and eliminating the unnecessary baggage, I have the horrible habit of waiting until the last minute and carting the whole mess with me!
I am normally very organized and appreciate the beauty of knowing where things are, being able to put my hands on a particular item when I need it. Yet I have trouble making a decision about the “Keep/Donate/Toss.”
Thank you for reminding me to simp!ify. Clutter makes my mind feel cluttered!
After all, no matter how sentimental (which I learned in a big way after Hurricane Michael swept much away), it’s still just material and can continue to drag you down hauling things from Point A to B.
God bless you, Jeanne, and all of us on this journey together!
Carol, I moved 3 times in the first 2 1/2 years of marriage. I get the whole not enjoying moving thing. 😉 I believe we each have those tasks we DREAD. I wish I could offer to come and help you make determinations on what to keep/donate/toss. Maybe a friend can be your second set of eyes and help?
I know how draining it can be to drag things from one place to another. If you’re still unpacking, maybe you’ll be able to sort and get rid of things as you unpack. I so appreciate your comment, and I’m glad we’re on this journey together!
I was inspired by Linda’s post as I need to do some decluttering but I haven’t got round to doing much yet so this is a good reminder. And this is helpful advice! I especially like the idea of setting a timer and doing a little bit each day, as well as the importance of keeping the vision in mind.
Lesley, life has a way of keeping us busy, doesn’t it? I hope you’ll be able to carve out time each day to declutter. It feels so good to help our stuff find a new home. 😉
Ah, YES! I couldn’t agree more. Simplifying life makes more room for the important stuff (faith! family! fun!). I have been working on this for years but especially during all the home time with COVID. And over the weekend we cleared eight bags of toys/clothes, etc we didn’t need from my daughter’s room as we prepped for back to school, donating it all to Goodwill. Feels SO GOOD. Yay for you!!!!
Jessica, it seems like sometimes choosing to simplify one area encourages simplifying the other. When I decluttered and repurposed this room, I found God teaching me so many heart lessons in the process (the next couple of weeks will share those). I bet you all felt so good getting rid of the stuff from your daughter’s room! I wish my boys would let me “help” in their rooms. 😉
That room looks wonderful and I love the chair! I have things too, I have boughten and yet to use like a teleprompter for videos. And I think that would be the hardest for me–to let go of those ‘someday’ items! My office table is a dining room table and sometimes I think I’d like to downsize to a smaller type work table to create more space and get a comfy chair in this bedroom made to office space I spend majority of my time in. What overwhelms me is the question of who would come move and get my table? lol I’m addicted to HGTV Magazine that is full of great DIY ideas that ‘someday’ I will do. I may just need a challenge….
Thanks for your kind words, Lynn. I love my re-done room. I still have to guard against allowing papers and clutter to build on the few flat surfaces still in here. 🙂 I know what you mean about those “someday items.” For me it came down to realizing I didn’t know when “someday” would be. And I wanted to feel the freedom of white space. When you decide you’re ready to do the work, you’ll figure out the table part of the equation.
I’m throwing down that challenge: create white space in your favorite place in your home. And set a deadline. And let me know when you do it. 😉
By October 31st, and I will let you know! Thanks for the ‘kick’. 🙂
Good! I can’t wait to hear how it goes! And, you’re welcome. 😉
My husband and I recently moved to a new home. We downsized by donating and selling items. We were shocked at how much stuff we really didn’t use or need. Those items blessed other people. Now, the clutter is gone, for the most part. I still need to work on my office. 🙂
Melissa, as I read your comment I began thinking about the bags of the boys’ too-small clothes sitting in our basement. I think it’s time to just give them away. The clutter in my home is getting to the point of causing me to feel overwhelmed. Teenage boys don’t help with that, but I think it’s time to begin setting aside some time each day to go through my home again . . . thanks for the inspiration. Have fun working on your office!
Wonderful! We cleared out a lot of stuff when were blessed with money to fulfill my dream of a new kitchen! I praise Jesus every morning when I turn on the bright lights there. He is the Light!! Of course, then there is the upstairs bedrooms where all the ‘stuff’ was put. Too much of it remains where it was put. Oh well. Maybe next year? Not really. You are inspiring me to get on with the closet as a beginning space. . . with some help, it could even happen this year.
It feels so good to clear out old stuff, doesn’t it, Mom? A new kitchen sounds wonderful indeed. Sounds like it may be time to tackle those upper bedrooms . . . 😉 And, I got your hint. 😉
This is a timely post since I just reviewed Cheryl Smith’s book, Biblical Minimalism. I also know that I love the feeling of freedom that comes after decluttering. I moved three years ago and cleared out so many things. I’m at the point where I need to do it again. I must collect things faster than I realize.
Mary, that book sounds good. I’ve just started reading The Next Right Thing, by Emily Freeman. She’s also talking about minimalism. I think God may be speaking to my heart about this concept . . . I’m with you, I breathe so much better, and feel so much lighter when I get rid of stuff. I collect things faster than I realize too. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jeanne, I so appreciate you sharing this post. I’ve been thinking of beginning to get rid of some things and this just confirmed it for me! I love the three questions and will begin to ask them of myself as I fall clean!
Joanne, I need to go through our home again and decluttering. It’s been such a crazy year, but when clutter piles up, I begin to get overwhelmed…never a good thing. Have fun with your fall cleaning!
There’s a crankshaft in the dunny,
and pistons in the kitchen;
some might think this funny,
but we find it kinda bitchin’
that the house has been repurposed
from bottom to the top;
every free space and surface
now screams ‘Racing shop!”
Tires do need special care,
for rubber ages fast,
and thereore,they’re everywhere,
but they are going to last,
and their smell, for Barb and me
bests any bloody potpourri.
OK, sorry about line 4’s last word, but that was the only word that rhymes with kitchen and moved the message forward.
Andrew, this made me smile. I can picture your home and the dogs walking amid the racing equipment. 😉
I continue to pray for your and Barb, my friend.
Saying goodbye to stuff that overwhelms and depletes. Removing unneeded flat space that invites clutter. The peace of white space. A creativity nook to call your very own.
Yes, please! LOVE that you’re sharing this series with us, Jeanne!
Linda, it’s the big picture that spurs us to invest the time to make it happen, right? I’m happy to be sharing this series.
I love the idea of a ‘white room’. I’m not looking forward to it, but I do acknowledge the necessity of it being done 😂😂
Grinning! It definitely takes time to create white space, but oh, how wonderful it feels when the work is done! 😁