Take on "The Big Flush!"

One of my wonderful readers asked if I had a strategy for applying the Neat: 10 Easy Steps to a big closet project and inspired me to create this blog. I hope it is a great encouragement to her and to all my NEAT champions out there who are ready to take on this summer project. Let's do it!

1) Prepare for "The Big Flush" - Get 3 bins ready for your awesome closet undertaking. Bin #1 will be for items you intend to keep. Bin #2 will be for items you intend to donate. Bin #3 will be for items you need to throw away (because they have been destroyed by moths or time, or they are no longer useful and can't be shared - like receipts and paperwork over 7 years old, etc.)

2) Do "The Big Flush"! This means taking everything (and I mean everything) out of the closet. I know this might seem like an insane undertaking - but I promise it will be worth it. It's the only way to see what is really in there and to know if you still want to keep it. Cleaning only part of the closet, or only taking out the clothes and not looking in the boxes, will leave many things stuck in place. We want the items in there to be active (meaning they serve you throughout the year) or free (meaning they are sent out into the world for someone else to use and enjoy). Creating this freedom around your closet will free up the energy in the rest of your life, as well.

3) Once everything is out - evaluate what you have. Put all the clothes together, put all the paperwork together, put all the decorations together, etc. Go through each pile separately. If you have not worn or used or referenced an item in the last year, consider if it still serves you. If it no longer fits, is past its prime, or you just don't like it anymore - set it free! Put it in Bin #2 and donate it. If it's broken, or worn out beyond repair, put it in Bin #3. Re-read Chapter 7 "Get Rid" and empower yourself to overcome any grief, fear or regret that may be causing you to hold onto items that no longer serve you. Look at your paperwork and see what can be scanned and saved digitally, so it is no longer filling up boxes. We had a bunch of receipts and tax paperwork that was over 7 years old in our main closet. We took those boxes to a shredding company and they shredded everything while we watched - so we didn't have to worry about throwing any of our sensitive information in the regular trash.

4) Re-evaluate your closet - Once you have everything that you want to keep identified, look at your empty closet. Give it a good wipe down and vacuum so it is ready to take back your treasures. Now, evaluate the space. Does it need more shelves, bins, hangars or any other kind of organizer that will help you gain access to the awesome stuff you decided to keep? If so, take a beat to purchase and install those. Just like we learned in Neat's Chapter 8 "Give it a Home", you want all the stuff in your closet to have the ideal container or hanger. It will make things so much easier to put away after you use or wear them. It will keep them in better condition (especially if they are covered and protected from dust and moths). It will also showcase them so you can easily find and enjoy them every time you open your closet.

5) Re-stock your closet - Now that you have all the right drawers, boxes, bins, hangers, etc., put away the things you decided to keep. Look at each item with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of appreciation, knowing that it is awesome! This thing really makes your life better. You look great wearing it, your guests love it, or it really fills your space with joy during the holidays. Then take all the items in Bin #2 to the donation center. You can feel so glad that these items are going to go off and bless someone else. You can also feel great that the sale of those items will help the charitable organization you donated them to. Additionally, you will feel grateful that you can write-off this donation on your taxes. Everyone wins! Finally, take all the items in Bin #3 to the trash or recycle bin. At this stage, I like to pick up each item and thank it for being in my life. If it's something that can be recycled, I acknowledge It for how great it was in one form and send it off on its journey to become something new. And if they can only be trash, I still thank it for doing a wonderful job at whatever it was made to do and send it on to its rest. Gratitude always makes this process healthy, renewing and amazing.

6) Enjoy your closet! You are going to feel like an absolute rock star every time you open your closet after this process! Seeing your closet filled with everything you love and need is going to put a huge smile on your face and also make your life so much easier. Seeing things organized in their new "home" will give you a deep sense of peace. You will no longer look at the closet door, imagine the mess inside and feel dread in the pit of your stomach. You will feel calm, efficient, proud of yourself and excited to open the closet the next time you need something. Wohooo!!!

Thank you all for making this NEAT journey one that is constantly evolving! I look forward to hearing more ways these 10 Easy Steps can improve our lives.