Cleaning

I like to keep everything. I am very sentimental, and everything has meaning to me. That makes it extremely hard for me to clean and throw stuff away. I don't think I'm a hoarder, but I definitely will be if I don't get my act together soon! I am about to start cleaning out my closet, and it is packed full of totes with stuff. 26 years of stuff. In one closet. I don't even know what all is in there, but I'm scared to find out.

I'm one of those people who gets distracted by EVERYTHING I find when cleaning. I have been my entire life. Honestly, because it's been so long since I've seen it. It takes me a lot longer than most people to clean. But when I do, I do a really good job.

You would think that if I haven't seen something in a long time that it wouldn't mean so much...right? Totally wrong. When I see something (seriously, even a piece of paper), if I remember what it's from, or who gave it to me, I am flooded with all these feelings from when I first got it. That's a blessing and a curse.

But I'm totally going to be in the mindset of just throwing away things I don't need (donating if possible). Cleaning my closet has been on my mind for a couple months now, I just haven't had the courage to start....haha. But now, I am ready to de-clutter my life!

Yes, I will post before and after pictures....eeeeek! I'm scared for you to see the before!

Are you super sentimental? Do you like to keep everything too? Let me know! Let's bond over all of our stuff ;)


EDIT:
I was literally up all night. I don't remember what time I started, but I did take a few breaks so I could eat, and just to get off the floor...sitting on the floor is not comfortable.

I started with: 7 totes, 3 bags, 2 pink crates, that green plastic bin, the purple Relay For Life bag, and 1 suitcase.

I ended with: 4 totes (the 5th one is stuff I wanted to leave out, but was so tired that I threw it in a tote and took a picture so I could go to bed), that green plastic bin, the purple Relay For Life bag, and those 2 pink crates.

*Side note* If I had a book case, I would lose the Relay For Life bag, both pink crates, and probably a tote. I have so. many. books.

Here is the before and after:

 Here is a picture of the 3 1/2 bags of garbage:

Here is a picture of the bag of shoes I'm donating:

Whew. I feel better knowing all that junk is gone. Today is garbage day, so it's all gone for good for me! I am nervous about people seeing my before picture, but oh well. I'm not going to lie about it....no matter how embarrassing it is haha.

Hopefully I've inspired some of you to do some deep cleaning. It feels so good to be done. All I have to do now is go get my totes from the shed (which is infested with spiders) and clean out THOSE totes. Then I will put what's left in my closet (making it full again, but a clean full), because I do not want my totes in that shed any longer!

....I think I need to get brave enough to get to the shed first....or have my mommy get them for me ;)

XOXO

Jen