Let go of the little things

Spring cleaning is a phrase we’ve all heard a million times. But I know an even better one . . . summer decluttering. How do I get this phrase trending, so it becomes a common thing?

Summer decluttering doesn’t have to be a big project. Each day let go of little things that are taking up space and before you know it, you’ll see some big results.

The calendar tells me there are 62 days until September so let’s focus on one type of item each day to remove from our home and life. Whether you toss, recycle, donate, repurpose, or sell these items, you will have a more relaxing, clutter-free home by fall.

Your summer decluttering checklist

1. Glasses with an outdated prescription

2. Wire hangers from the dry cleaner

3. Manuals to items you no longer own

4. Grocery store receipts

5. Stained plastic food storage containers

6. Promotional magnets

7. Shoes that do not fit properly

8. Travel brochures

9. Recipes you will never make

10. Vases from the florist

11. Out-of-date spices

12. College textbooks you never open

13. VHS tapes of recorded TV shows/movies

14. Broken/chipped dishware

15. Dead batteries

16. Swimsuits with failed elastic

17. Expired food

18. Worn out sheets and blankets

19. Old markers, pens, and crayons

20. Childhood trophies

21. Cookbooks you do not use

22. Worn out luggage

23. Old phone books and catalogs

24. Candy from past holidays

25. Dead plants

26. Magazines more than 3 months old

27. Old hairbrushes and combs

28. Broken holiday decorations

29. Cooking utensils you have multiples of

30. Scarves and hats you never wear

31. Makeup that smells or is dried out

32. Toys your pet no longer plays with

33. Clothing that does not fit

34. Socks with holes

35. Cables for electronics you no longer use

36. Moldy shower curtains

37. Scraps of gift wrap

38. Purses no longer in style

39. Outdated baby equipment

40. Newspapers more than a week old

41. Tile and carpet samples

42. Dried-out art supplies

43. Gloves/mittens/socks without mates

44. Promotional cups and mugs

45. Broken electronics

46. Old greeting cards

47. Half-empty sample size toiletries

48. Worn-out pillows

49. Old phones and tablets

50. Rusty tools

51. Condiment packets

52. Expired coupons

53. Unidentifiable keys

54. Promotional t-shirts you never wear

55. Old coffee and tea

56. Cleaning products you don’t like

57. Out-of-style sunglasses

58. Expired medication

59. Novelty pins and key chains

60. Broken small appliances

61. Jewelry you never wear

62. Puzzles and games with missing pieces