Now that school has officially finished for most of us, it’s the perfect time to turn our attention to decluttering the year’s mess so we can enjoy a more relaxing summer. Here’s how to handle it…
Summer in Las Vegas is pretty stifling. Triple-digit temperatures aren’t saved by the fact that “it’s a dry heat.” But after more than a decade, we’ve figured out how to make it work.
Early morning outings. Pools and sprinklers. Lots of fun indoor activities.
Since we tend to spend more time inside and at home during the summer (although spring wasn’t much different thanks to the pandemic), it’s nice to have a relaxing, clutter-free environment to play in.
Clutter stresses me out. Some of my kids feel this way, too. So getting rid of some of the stuff we’ve accumulated throughout the year is a relief. It also helps us enjoy our space more, and even each other.
If you’ve been wanting to declutter this summer and simplify your living space, here are some great ways to do it…
How to Declutter for Summer
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Clear out the old schoolwork
If you weren’t homeschooling, then you were probably distance learning this spring. In either case, you likely have a ton of paperwork lying around. It’s time to shed the detritus of the 2019-2020 school year.
Worksheets, art projects (unless you love them), printouts, and forms can all be recycled now. Keep anything important, but most of it is unnecessary.
If you have a classroom setup like we do, then you may want to declutter your own papers and decorations for summer and to make the beginning of the next year easier. I like to have a little clean-up party with my kids followed by some ice cream to celebrate the end of the school year. (We still work, albeit lightly, throughout the summer, just not in the classroom.)
Get out the summer clothes
Out with the old, in with the new. If you haven’t already, switch out your kids’ summer and winter clothes so they are prepared for the hotter temperatures. This is also the perfect opportunity to declutter their winter clothes. Anything that is going to be too small by next winter should be handed down to the next child or bagged up for Goodwill.
You can also take it a step further and see what else can be decluttered for summer. Too many pairs of socks for any child to wear? Old underwear? A dress that looks nice but feels itchy? Discard the things that can’t be repurposed (socks make great cleaning rags and dusters) and donate the rest.
For more tips on decluttering children’s closets, read this post.
Declutter the backyard
The backyard becomes a haven in the summer, especially if you just survived a long winter. So why not declutter the things that have accumulated out there throughout the winter and spring to make it the fun zone your family can enjoy while staying home.
Growing up, summertime meant nightly barbecues, badminton matches, and croquet. There was a hammock between the trees, clothes drying on the line, and a kiddie pool and sandbox for long days spent outdoors.
These days, we can’t spend too much time outdoors without feeling like we’re living in a slow cooker, but these fun ideas are still great.
Have the entire family help organize toys, get rid of garbage and debris (my kids have a bicycle graveyard that is forever growing), and make room for summer fun. Winter accessories should be stored away for the season and warm weather toys brought out. Some may need a little TLC, so get them into shape before bringing them out.
Declutter your summer menu
Summer is no time for long evenings in front of the stove. Declutter your menu with simple dishes that require less prep time.
We love cold tomato sandwiches for lunch and chicken salad on rice crackers for dinner. Fruit and veggie plates, smoothies, and pasta salad are quick and easy meals that are great for hot days and nights.
This is also the perfect time to break out your slow cooker or instant pot so you can relax instead of cooking (unless you relax while cooking, in which case, have at it). We love this easy Turkey Taco Bowl and easy chicken with rice.
For some simple and healthy kid-friendly snacks that are good for summer or anytime, check out this post.
Simplify your summer routine
For most of us, summer 2020 is not looking anything like we expected it to. But if we have learned nothing else, it’s that we are flexible and able to overcome. This summer is a good time to parlay those lessons into a more relaxed, home-centric summer routine.
Declutter your summer days of activities and plans you thought would be great (or maybe you didn’t but had to say yes to anyway), but no longer fit with your new normal. Don’t feel guilty about spending the day without a clear plan or indulging in something fun.
Sleep in, eat barbecue, read an entire book, play board games, and show your kids whose queen of the watergun battle. Go on morning walks, ignore your email for a few hours, and enjoy a staycation.
If you’re working from home, enjoy the flexibility instead of seeing the challenges. If you still need to go in to work, then spend your downtime in a way that is relaxing and relationship-building. Don’t try to shoehorn activities into your days because you didn’t get to do them during the spring. Enjoy summer as is.
I hope that these ideas for how to declutter for summer help you shed some of the stress of the year and make your home a more relaxed haven for fun. The ability to rest is one of the most under-utilized and most necessary of skills. Simplify your space and enjoy putting that skill to good use.
What are some ways you like to declutter for summer? Share your ideas in the comments here or on social media!
Great reads on decluttering:
The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker
The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life by Francine Jay
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider
Looking for more on decluttering? Check out these posts:
How to Clean Out Your Junk Drawer Once and For All
12 Ways to Successfully Work at Home with Kids
Why Less Stuff Brings More Happiness
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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