Happy New Year! Can you believe we are officially in the first week of 2019? I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe how fast this first week has flown by us. I must be honest and say after a hard year in 2018, I was ready to kick it to the curb. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for the many blessings of 2018, but I’m excited about new things in 2019. I needed to do some things right off the bat. Decluttering my life and home were at the top of the list. I want to share some decluttering tips for your life and home to make you sparkle in 2019!
All Things New!
My theme this year is “All Things New.” I’m not talking about purchasing all things new, but rather opening my heart and soul for God to reveal the new things He desires for me this year. One of the things God showed me was that my life had become cluttered physically, spiritually and emotionally. I have never done well with clutter, and when I feel cluttered, I don’t function well. I wouldn’t call myself a messy person, but after the trials of last year, there were many things which became cluttered.
God wants to do new things in everybody's life, but we have to be open and willing for God to create a new pathway in our wilderness. I don't know where you were in life last year, but I do know God doesn't want you to hold on to… Share on XGod wants to do new things in everybody’s life, but we have to be open and willing for God to create a new pathway in our wilderness. I don’t know where you were last year, but I do know God doesn’t want you to hold on to things in your life that dull your sparkle and make you joyless in life.
Isaiah 43:19
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Finding New Space
After Christmas, there is always the task of finding a new space for our new presents we have acquired. To fit those gifts into our lives, we must make space. After celebrating Christmas and New Year’s with my family and friends in New York, it was evident to me I needed to tidy up and make new space in several areas of my life. I needed to embrace the old, but allow myself the freedom to move forward.
Where Do I Begin?
I had no idea how to begin and felt so overwhelmed that I headed straight to the living room, sat on the sofa, prayed and turned on the television. Who knew that a show on Netflix called, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” would become a life-changing experience for me?
I’m sure many of you have heard of this little stick of Japanese dynamite, but after watching one episode, I was hooked. I knew this was the beginning of my decluttering process.
Tip #1: Say a Blessing Over Your Home
The first thing Marie does after a tour of the home is to find a special place to say a blessing over your house. It was beautiful and moving to watch as people expressed their gratefulness for their home. I immediately did the same. Over the past year, I was thankful for my house, but I wasn’t grateful for what my home provides.
It is funny how you can take home for granted. A home is a gift regardless of the size or what you have or don’t have in it. A home protects you from the outside world, harsh weather elements gives you a place to eat and rest, stores your possessions, and provides a place to share love, laughter and enjoy community with family and friends. Most of all your home is a place to retreat from the world and restore your soul.
Saying a blessing over my home has also changed my view of home. It was easy to find all the little things wrong with my house, but now God is allowing me to see all the things which are right about this house.
Tip #2: What Sparks Your Joy
The next thing Marie has you handle is your clothes. Let me be honest and say that clothes are my downfall for one main reason. When you yo-yo in your weight, you typically have three sizes of clothes. A couple of years ago I purged my closet, but not enough. I do have to say after watching a few episodes of “Tidying Up” I did feel better about myself and my closet, but soon concluded this isn’t about making myself feel better because I didn’t have as much stuff as some people do, but rather personal happiness. Do the things I have in my closet bring me joy?
Here is my side of the closet before:
The Kondo Way
Marie suggests emptying all your closets and drawers with every article of clothing. As you can tell by the picture below that is what I did. After I saw the pile on my bed, on the floor, and in bins, I was shocked by how much I owned. Hubs did not do his side of the closet, and I am glad he didn’t because we would have had no place to sleep that night except on the couch and recliner.
Here is my heap!
Marie then asks you to hold each piece of clothing in your hand and ask yourself if it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, thank it and place it in a bag so it can bring someone else joy. As I went through each piece of clothing, I had to keep asking myself, “Does it bring me joy?” If not, I thanked it and placed it in the bag for Goodwill so it could bring someone else joy. I began at 1:00 pm on Saturday and never finished until 1:30 am on Sunday morning. Yes, it was a process and at times painful, but a much-needed one.
The Secret Sauce
There were some surprises along the way. I found a box with three sparkly sweaters I had purchased for my momma for Christmas along with two shirts for Hubs and one shirt for my Dad. Although the sweaters were a painful reminder my momma is no longer here with me, it gives me great joy to know they are going to a special friend who adored my momma.
Are you hanging on to things which no longer bring you joy? It honestly does give you comfort knowing your items can and will bring happiness to others. Be grateful you owned it and pass on the joy! I believe this is the secret sauce of life.
Tip #3: Make the Fold
Marie has a unique way of folding clothes, so you can see everything in your drawer without pawing through them and making your drawer messy. I love being able to look into my dresser drawer and quickly grab my underwear, bra or socks. It is a time saver. The fold takes getting used to but well worth the time and effort. Laundry belongs to everyone including your spouse and children. If your children are old enough to fold clothes get them involved. By allowing your children to learn this concept, you are equipping them with tools they can take with them for a lifetime.
Tip #4: Get the Stuff Out of Your House
There is nothing more significant than the sense of accomplishment when you have set and achieved a goal. Once you have bagged up the things which do not bring you joy and remove them from your home, new energy emerges from within. After removing ten bags of clothes, shoes and other miscellaneous clothing items that no longer stuff my side of the closet, I am thrilled to look in my closet rather than just shut the door and be embarrassed by the sheer volume of joyless clothing that was on my side. I can’t explain it, but my spirit has become lighter, and a new sense of joy returned.
Tip #5: Continue the Process
Once you have finished with your clothes, Marie suggests continuing the KONDO way. Clothes are followed by books, papers, miscellaneous, and mementos. Within the categories, there’s a further breakdown, for example, in the clothing category you move from tops to bottoms, jackets, socks and so on.
I’m finished with decluttering my clothes and now ready for books. I will give you an occasional update to let you know where I am in the process, plus accountability is a great thing. Don’t hesitate to ask me how I am doing in the decluttering process. You can also keep track of me and my life updates on Instagram at Jesus Glitter.
I am far from finishing the “Tidying Up” process because most people dedicate six months to complete the task. However, what I can tell you is I am invested and committed to seeing this project through because of what it has done for me not just spiritually, but emotionally and physically. I feel better from the inside out.
My Side of the Closet After:
Tip #6: Decluttering Becomes Contagious in Every Area of Your Life
The best part of all the decluttering tips to make your life and home sparkle is that they work! When you begin the process of decluttering it becomes contagious. You will find yourself feeding off the energy of creating space for new things.
Sometimes it isn’t just physical things we need to let go of but also emotional hurts and things spoke to us or over us. It is important to try and let those things go to find peace for ourselves and in situations beyond our control. Destructive words and thoughts have a way of cluttering and clogging our souls too!
I have felt so stagnant over the past year, but as I allow God to do a new thing, He is creating new rivers in my soul. Yes, it is a different pathway, but if I kept trying to do things my way, I would only be placing myself deeper in a pit. The saying is if you want to get out of a pit, you have to quit digging! I’m done digging and ready for God to show me the rivers in the wastelands. God makes something out of nothing every day. What are some decluttering tips for your life and home to make you sparkle?
Tip #7: A New Outlook Makes You Sparkle
Being open to constructive criticism, a new outlook can give you a fresh perspective and a better view of anything. Recently, my friend LeeAnn Fox from Kingdom Bloggers gave my blog an audit. LeeAnn pointed out that my blog looked a bit cluttered. I was in the process of wanting to redo my blog because it did feel cluttered. It was also in need of a serious update. LeeAnn’s advice was to unclutter my blog and arrange it to make it easier to read and more appealing to my readers. She has a ton of wisdom when looking at the big picture!
LeeAnn is also the brains, heart, and passion behind Kingdom Bloggers. LeeAnn’s mission is to bring Christian bloggers to the first page on Google. I love her tagline, “Where the internet meets Jesus.”
However, I couldn’t have launched the new layout of Jesus Glitter without my good friend, Laura Emerson who blogs at Cheered on Mom. Laura helped me take my blog and other social media forums to the next level. All things new begins with the new and improved website of Jesus Glitter!
There are still a few tweaks we are working on, but I hope you enjoy the new layout! I love the fresh, clean look along with the new categories and colors. I would like to hear your thoughts!
Hello, 2019! Last year was a hard year, but using and sharing these decluttering tips for your life and home to make you sparkle is my goal for each of you. Thank You for investing your time with me. My prayer is 2019 is a year of overflowing blessings, dreams fulfilled and new rivers in your wasteland bringing springs of living water to your soul! Happy New Year!
I am not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination but decluttering has helped me keep things manageable. The more I do, the more I see to do. My highest problem is getting the stuff out of the house once I have decided it’s not worth keeping. I used the word declutter two years ago and it was LIFE CHANGING. May God bless you in your decluttering journey.
Hi, Brittany!
Yes! I understand what you mean when you say the more you see the more you do! It is contagious! In the past two weeks, I have dropped off 3 trunkloads of items that I didn’t need. Fortunately for me, I have a large Salvation Army store within 3 miles of me. God Bless You and thanks for sharing!
Decluttering is really hard!!! But thanks to your tips.. I think I’ll find it easier next week when I start my spring cleaning
Hello!
It is hard, but I have found joy in doing it! I hope you do too! I hope the tips help you in your process as they helped me!
Marie’s tips are mostly golden. I hope to implement some of them this year.
Hi, Tami!
I agree she has great tips and has given me such peace about decluttering.
I love Marie Kondo’s approach and have read her books and seen her show. This is such an inspirational article and I like how you took pictures along the way to show progress. I did this a couple of years ago after reading her first book and it really changed the way I think about “stuff.” I was able to clean out so much and it was quite freeing!
Hi, Lori!
I hadn’t heard of her until the Netflix series and then I was hooked! I have been decluttering and it has sparked joy in this girl’s soul! I agree it is freeing in so many ways!
Defiantly need to start decluttering this year, so this just the post I need to help me get started.
Hi, Alexandra!
I am glad. I know I needed to declutter and free myself from negative energy! It am so happy with the results!
Hi, Alexandra!
I am glad. I know I needed to declutter and free myself from negative energy! I am so happy with the results!
I’ve been feeling so inspired to start decluttering. These are awesome tips 🙂
Hi, Jenna!
Be inspired, my friend! You will not regret it! It makes you feel so much better about life!
I have been decluttering EVERYTHING and it feels so amazing. I am constantly trying to simplify my life and getting rid of clutter helps the most.
Hi, Amanda!
I think as bloggers simplifying life is important because everything we do is at home. Many blessings as you simplify life and make room for things you can enjoy!
I love your theme for the year! Decluttering always feels so good, making room in your life for more things that will bring you happiness! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Justine!
Yes, decluttering does ALWAYS feel so good! I’m ready to bring on “All Things New!” May your year be filled with much happiness and joy!
These are great tips!! What a difference it made in your closet – it looks great. Thank you for the perfect timing.
Hi, Nancy!
My closet feels so much better this weekend, Hubs is doing his side of the closet. I’m excited to get it done!
Great tips! I’ve been working on my husband’s closets with him – it’s a good feeling, for sure! I love the passage from Isaiah 43:19!
Hi, Patricia! It is a great feeling to know that God is doing something new and bringing new life to my wastelands!
I love organizing and keeping things neat!
Hi, Rebecca!
I do too! It makes for a happy life for sure!
Great new layout! I watched that Tidying Up show for one episode but couldnt get into it. I am a neat freak so I usually like shows like that but its not fir me for some reason. Doesnt it feel amazing though to get rid of clutter though?!
Hi, Amber!
Thank You so much for your feedback! It is much appreciated. You are right it does feel amazing to get rid of the clutter, especially in my head! 🙂
Of all the things I love doing, it’s decluttering. There is something so satisfying about it!
Hi, Heather!
I agree! There is something that is very SOUL satisfying for sure!
Aww, Sheila thanks for the shout-out! Love your tips here on decluttering, it’s truly inspiring me to work on this! Thanks for being so open about the changes you’re making and sharing your sparkle with the world!
Hi, Laura!
You are my inspiration! The more I can declutter in my life the more I can focus on those things I know God is calling me to do. Thank You for helping me with all of it! You are a blessing!
THIS IS SO TRUE. I started decluttering one thing and then it was just a ripple across my apartment! But I really need to do the “take everything out and decide if it’s worth keeping” bit!
Hi, Megan!
Yes, the ripple effect is real! It feels so good to remove stuff that is taking up space and reclaim the territory for something that brings me joy!
I’ve been wanting to clean my closet out and that heaping pile looks all too familiar. Now I’m motivated!
Hi, Jen!
I’m glad you are motivated! I needed to do something to get some organization back in my life! Let me know how it goes!
Just started Marie Kondo’s Netflix show and I am ready to purge everything. Decluttering will make me feel new this year for sure. Great post!
Hi, Leigh!
Isn’t she the best? I loved her ideas and her spunky spirit! I hope decluttering makes you feel as great as I do! Now, on to the next piles 🙂
I am now halfway through our house. Loving it!! My husband and I are making it a game about who can do it better.
Hi, Leigh!
Let me know who wins! I think you should put the wager of dinner on it! Although, I love your recipes, but you could get a nice romantic dinner out of it 🙂
I definitely need to de clutter this new year. It’s one of my resolutions. Thanks for these great tips.
Hi, Kristal!
I’m glad you liked the tips and I hope you accomplish your goals this year!
We also binge watched her show this week! We read the book last year and we reorganized our whole house. A year later, we’re due for another round!
Hi, Marcie!
I was afraid by the time I finished I would have to start all over again. I want to get her book too! I have enjoyed the Netflix series and look forward to getting my house in ship shape!
Getting rid of things that no longer bring us joy is a great idea. I think we sometimes hold onto things for far too long. This applies metaphorically to our lives as well as clothing and other belongings.
Hi, Susan!
You are so right…it applies to every area in my life. It has been great to feel a new emergence of freedom in my soul. I am thankful that after a hard season, God is showing me the fruit of that season. Have any trips planned?
I’ve heard some of these tips before, but some of them are new. I’m definitly going to have to invest some time in this this year. I know it’s worth it.
Hi, Heather!
Congrats on your news! How exciting! It is an investment, but one I believe really does pay off in many ways. Blessings to you!
Thank you for the tips, I really want to declutter my life more this year
I really do need to bless my home. When we bought it my husband was weeks away from deploying so we rushed in and didn’t even think of blessing it. Now I think we should!
Hi, Marta!
I hope you had a beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been a beautiful thing to bless our home. It truly has changed how I feel about our home. I know by saying our blessing it has also allowed me to see the good qualities of what God has given to us in this home rather than focusing on all the things I don’t care for in our home. Blessings to you and your home!
I could use a decluttering, too, Sheila. It allows us to make room for the great things God had for us. I am going to check out Kingdom Bloggers! My site is getting a facelift this year, too.
Now I feel motivated thank you so much for sharing what’s in your heart ❤️.
Hi, Sue!
I’m so happy you commented! I pray you are feeling better! I know when you don’t feel well it has a huge impact on our clutter. I miss you, sweet friend!
Hi, Sheila!
It is so good to hear from you! We need to catch-up! It has been way too long and PLEASE check out Kingdom Bloggers! There is good stuff going on and you would be a great addition to the community! Blessings!
Very nice Sheila!🌼🌼🌼🌼
What a good way to start the new year.
Hi, Cathy!
Let’s just say it was a necessary way! It did become very freeing to my soul! Love you!