Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Cleaning & Organization

LET'S PURGE: Inspiration and Homework!

July 6, 2021

Yesterday we talked extensively about purging and cleaning and organizing. But we all know ACTION is what really gets things done. So each week we're giving a little homework assignment on Tuesdays (do you feel like you're in summer school yet?) to work on that week. Honestly you can make these as simple or challenging as you like, while keeping in mind that we're hoping the work you put into #cljsummerschool will help you develop a deeper love and appreciation for your home. And also, let's have some fun with it! It's summertime after-all. We're doing this with you. Let's go!

With this week's focus on purging, organizing, and cleaning, we're going to do exactly that:

  • Look around your house and find a problem area that might be standing in the way of some un-tapped potential in you and your home. This is going to look different for everyone. Maybe you're feeling ambitious and are ready to tackle the laundry room that's been out of control for a while. You could also focus on a front entry closet if that's more your jam. Or you might need to think smaller with a big impact–a nightstand. Be practical with how much time and motivation you have. If you need a little momentum to get started, then I would suggest starting small and seeing where it takes you. Take a look at the rapid-fire purge items we talked about yesterday here for more ideas.

Here are a few throwback projects from the archives to inspire you, too! 

The Great Purge: How to Decide What to Sell, Donate, & Keep?

My 5 Closet Rules

A Newly Organized Pantry

Organizing the Fullmer's Kitchen Cabinets

Organizing Our Cleaning Supplies

Organizing a Toddler's Closet

Storage & Organization in the Garage

 

  • This step is absolutely crucial! Take a before photo. Whether you post it or not is up to you, but believe me, once you have the after, you'll be wishing you documented the before. So just take a second to snap a few photos.
  • Get excited! Light a candle, open up the curtains, turn on your favorite podcast–whatever you need to do to have fun with it!
  • It's go time. Go through and cut out all the things that either don't belong there, aren't serving you, or that don't make your heart sing. No more placeholders! If you don't love it, it goes.
  • Now that you've sifted through your things and all that remain are either essential or joy-sparkers (as Marie would put it), it's time for a quick wipe-down before we put it all back. Don't go crazy! I'm talking about just wiping the inside of a drawer out with your favorite multi-purpose cleaner. Think of it as a refreshing new start.
  • And now you're ready to give your belongings a new home. Be meaningful and creative with how you do this, and make the space work for your unique life.
  • Time to clean. Give the space either a thorough deep clean, or a surface clean–whichever you have time and energy for. Your home deserves some physical touch.
  • Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Are you feeling inspired and creative? Soak it in.
  • Optional: Take an after photo and use our template to share on Instagram stories. Be sure to tag @chrislovesjulia, and use the hashtag #cljsummerschool so we can share in the joy with you (We'll be reposting these all week!).

 

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Julia! I didn’t even know this was the homework, and I dropped off FOUR boxes of stuff yesterday!!! Hooray! Lots were books and things I had to remove from shelves in my kitchen because I’m painting the cabinets! And when I looked at everything outside of its normal home, I realized I didn’t want to put any of it back! It was really dusty, too! And I didn’t want that on my freshly painted shelves. Woo hoo for purging!!!

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

The Marcum family dressed as characters from the classic edition of Clue: The Game.
Entertaining

Our Halloween Family Costumes 2024: I'll Give You One Clue

It was Professor Plum, with the knife, in the Conservatory. Happy Halloween from Clue characters: 1986 edition! Shop Costume Inspiration Over the years, we've dressed as everything from dolls and monsters to Peter Pan, E.T. characters, and The Wizard of Oz. But in the last several years, one of our kids has usually chosen our costumes. If you look back, you […]
Wayfair Holiday Christmas collage round up
Decor

The Best Holiday Finds at Wayfair

This post is sponsored by Wayfair We bought this gorgeous, extremely realistic tree from Wayfair in 2019. It may be my best Christmas find ever because it has moved across the country with us, and it's the first thing we decorate every year (and that last thing we put away when the season is over). […]
product lines

Meet the New Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Pillows for Fall 2024

With the Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Rugs launch this season, we just had to add some new pillows too! For this collection, like all of our lines, we designed the pillows colorwise and pattern-wise to all work together. But there are some fun surprises too (including new floor pillows and a brand-new ruffle pillow […]
Outdoor dining table scene in front of ivy brick wall with a beautiful beige geometric outdoor rug
product lines

The Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Rugs Fall 2024 Collection

I can't believe this is our fourth year working with Loloi! For this season's rugs, we are bringing in new styles that haven’t been seen before, which is really fun. It's also exciting to be able to expand popular collections like the Jules rug, which offers beautiful vintage-style rug patterns at an affordable price. For […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES