For me, half the battle of cleaning up, decluttering and organizing is getting started. Here are a few unique ways to begin to tackle your crafty clutter and create a craft space you love:
Be aware of what you realistically can do with your time. Don't feel like you have to do everything RIGHT NOW
- Time travel. When you are considering whether or not to keep something, think about what you are going to use it for. Now think about WHEN you are going to use it. Next week? Next month? During the next YEAR?
Will you use that digger fabric before your little boy is past wanting a digger shirt? Does the thought of trying to fit in the project you’re imagining make your stomach sink? Then maybe it’s time to let go and make space for creating right now. - Have a drink.Sometimes we get so freaked out about organizing. We need to just relax. (Really that’s what I’m saying here, find some way to get yourself into a relaxed frame of mind.)I’m not advocating getting sloshed to get things done, I’m just saying sometimes it’s WAY easier to let go of things and relax about it with a beer in hand.
If you don’t drink, well…maybe a delicious hot cocoa will have a mellowing effect (chocolate, you know.) If you don’t drink and don’t eat chocolate…I’m at a loss… - Do the easy stuff first: Don’t punish yourself by telling yourself you have to deal with the horrible stack of office paperwork first. Give yourself a feeling of satisfaction and confidence by cleaning up an easy mess first.
- Stuff it under the couch...or in a basket or anywhere out of sight. really. No, it’s not a permanent solution, but sometimes you can’t even think until you clear off a space. Clear one area so you have room to sort and organize. (Careful with this one though- don’t stuff away so much that you’ll never get back to it to clean up!)
- Clean the floor first- If your floor is a mess you can’t walk around your space easily you can’t put anything away. Also it gives you a quick feeling of satisfaction to see a large swath of clean.
- Stop working on it. Most of us have too many craft supplies, or at least an array of supplies we will never use again. They are taking up valuable space and need to go.
If you are decluttering craft supplies and you find yourself in a clingy mood, trying to keep every little fabric scrap and broken crayon piece, it might be time to stop for the day. Maybe choose a different project and come back to decluttering when you when you are feeling more ruthless.
Click the above image to follow Creative With Kids Craft Organizing Board on Pinterest.
You’re doing great making space for the creativity you want in your life! Thanks for joining me in this journey of being a creative mom!
