The Tranquil Vintessa

When I begin decluttering my space, I usually like to do a little at a time so I don’t feel the urge to replace everything all at once. I prefer to move slowly, like I’m tending a garden, only removing what takes away from it, not just tossing things willy-nilly.

However, there are moments when I feel compelled to remove everything in one swoop. I try not to let those moments come frequently, but when they do, I tend to them the same way I always do, slowly and with intention.

First, I try to understand where the need is coming from. For example, when I cleaned out my wardrobe like I mentioned in my previous post on decluttering, I was overwhelmed and still felt like I didn’t have anything to wear. The items I wanted to make work didn’t, and whenever I put something on, it didn’t speak to my soul. So I began to declutter.

I removed anything I knew I wasn’t going to wear, a feathered sheer cami, a slinky skirt, a top that showed everything I wanted hidden. I let those go immediately. They were pieces that filled me with negativity and made me feel rushed and chaotic, when I should feel at ease in my wardrobe and in my home overall.

Then I move on to what I call the hopefuls, the items I hope I’ll wear or use. I ask myself a simple question, how long have you been hoping? If it’s been over a year, it’s probably not going to happen. And if you’re waiting for an event, it’s time to check your calendar. If it’s not coming up, then it’s still a no.

I also reassign things. I had purchased some strappy dresses that I originally planned to wear out, but instead I dedicated them to loungewear since they didn’t align with the energy I wanted to carry.

I apply these rules to everything in my home. If there’s a piece of art I don’t like or that’s damaged, I toss it. If it’s simply an eyesore, I try to re-envision it to my liking. Sometimes I can make it work with a simple DIY or by moving it to a different room, my reassign step.

Once everything is moved, I check back in with the space. Maybe I reorganize things a bit so I can really see what’s going on. If the energy feels renewed and alive, then we did well and I leave it. If it feels empty, I look for what might be missing.

It’s not a buy everything to fill it back up moment. It’s a moment to observe. Maybe I need a black dress or a new top. Maybe that photo doesn’t work in the living room but looks amazing in the bedroom. These are simple, one off additions, but I find what’s missing before I go looking to fill it.

After it’s all said and done, I relax in my new space. I open a window to release any old energy and welcome in the new.