By Beth at Southern Schoolhouse
Summer is the season when teachers finally get the chance to catch up on all the “life” stuff that gets pushed aside during the school year—painting a room, decluttering that junk drawer, diving back into a favorite hobby. You know, all the things that sit at the bottom of our to-do list for ten months straight. This summer, my mission was to tackle my closets! I live in an older home with limited closet space, and honestly, I haven’t made the best use of it. My strategy has mostly been: toss it in, shut the door, and pretend the chaos doesn’t exist. But this year, I decided enough was enough. I started with my small catch-all closet—and wow, it really kicked my butt! Still, progress is progress!
Step 1: Clearing It Out
The first step was to empty the closet completely and remove the old rod and shelving—which had been in place for over 50 years! Surprisingly, this part was the easiest. With everything out, I had a blank slate to work with and a sense of momentum to carry me forward.
Step 2: Sorting and Decision-Making
Next came the real work: sorting through clothes, shoes, gift wrap, and a lot of miscellaneous items. Some of it was simple—clothing and shoes were easy to categorize into keep, donate, or toss piles. But then there were the sentimental items. Since this is my childhood home—one I inherited from my parents—I’ve also inherited a lifetime of “stuff.” Deciding what to keep and what to let go of has been an emotional and slow-moving process. I’m still working through some of it, one memory at a time.
Step 3: Installing the Closet System
Once the space was cleared and sorted, it was time to install a new closet system—and that’s where things got tricky. In an older home, nothing is level or square, and this project reminded me of that at every turn. Installing the new shelving involved plenty of problem-solving, a few do-overs, and a healthy dose of patience. But in the end, I made it work, and once it was in place, I was finally ready for the fun part: organizing it all in the most efficient and purposeful way.
Aside from a few finishing touches here and there, this project is finally complete—and the sense of accomplishment is incredible. Having a clean, decluttered, and organized closet has already lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It’s amazing how much peace of mind comes from simply knowing where everything is. Now that this space is in order, I’m ready to take on the next project!
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