Decluttering Girlie Madness

My youngest is a pack-rat.  She wants to keep everything, from toys to shoes she no longer fits because they were a gift.  Plus, she is NOT a tidy child.  She is the one that I send to her room to clean, and she gets distracted by a book.  Since that was also me as a child, I understand. Understanding doesn't mean I have to let the matter be forgotten.  And, I was determined to find the carpeting that I know was there in the past.

Once the contagious energy of decluttering begins, it isn't easily held at bay. While I wanted to get more accomplished today than I did, I am just going to smile that I conquered my clutter-bug's room.  

I still want to eliminate even more, but I decided to go easy... For now.  My girl was not exactly happy with the process.  Books were sorted ruthlessly. I told her to pick four dolls out of like ten (but those four were after her two Madame Alexander dolls were set aside).   

I tried to make it fun.  We went to the dollar store first and picked out some little tubs and baskets to hold different toys.  She picked pink, turquoise, and purple.  She now has her play doctor supplies in one basket, little Legos in a tiny bucket, megalegos in a bigger bucket, play dishes in a play bucket, and her loom and materials in another one. 

The most difficult thing for me was the toy box.  The lid went missing years ago.  This is a Little Tykes heavy duty toy box that my oldest received at like one years of age. It has gone through all five of my daughters!  I bought a cheap, smaller tub with a lid for Megan's toys.  Needless to say, the tub won't hold much. I see that as a plus and not a drawback at this time, however.

By the time I went through her toys, books, and clothes, we had filled at least three garbage bags of stuff.  We also had one bag of garbage. 

Her room was then cleaned.  The carpet was shampooed.  We wiped off her furniture.  It looks like a brand new room!

As I stated earlier, I wanted to eliminate more.  I think over time we will reduce more and more.  Megan is no longer a baby.  I would like her to have a few quality toys that will last and not a room full of junk. 

I would like to redo her beat-up dresser or buy her new.  I refuse to buy cheap, particle board stuff from here on out.  I've done that several times in the past and it's a waste of money.  At the moment her old dresser, that has been through several people over the years, is doing its job. So, until I have the funds, I am content with the ugly thing.

Decluttering is hard work, and a bit of an adventure.  I'm doing my best to give away things to people that I know need them.  We've already donated a truck full to a local CDC shop. The more I do, the more I want to do, and I'm so excited about the journey!