6 Ways to Help your Child Overcome the Fear of Failure
We might not know what the future holds for us, but what we do know is that it holds failures. Failures are inevitable, so we might as well not be surprised if they knock on our doors. As parents, we have been down the road, we have failed, we have succeeded. In short, we have survived it all. But our children have not – they are young, and they have plenty to see in their lives – that includes both failures and successes.
But as much as how progressing failures can be (if we look at the bigger picture), failures can be extremely frightening – so much so that one may not be able to grow, or do what they should do because of the fear of failures. In other words, the fear of failures can be like a cage, and you wouldn’t want your kids to be inside it.
As parents, that’s the last thing we want for our kids.
So, if you agree, and want your child to overcome this fear, here are a few ways you can try.
6 ways to help your child overcome the fear of failure
1. Change your responses
Trust me, when it comes to failures, your responses matter a lot. Your response towards failures will shape their response towards it. Meaning, if you consider failure like the end of the world, they’ll consider the same. So, be mindful of how you react to your own failures, as well as your child’s.
For instance, if your child fails the test, don’t reprimand or punish them. If you do, it will only send one message that failure is a sin. You don’t want it to happen, do you? The right reaction in this scenario would be, “It’s okay, it’s not the end of the world. You will have another test coming. You will always have chances to score better and become better.”
2. Focus on efforts more than accomplishments
What do you do when your child wins the contest or scores well? You go out to celebrate. But what do you do when they don’t win or score excellent? You neither celebrate it nor congratulate them.
Think through. Doesn’t it in a way reinforce that failures are nothing but a disgrace? It does, and it’s high time you change it if you want your kid to overcome the fear of failure.
You can do that by focusing on your child’s efforts more than accomplishments. Every time your child achieves something, don’t congratulate them for that but congratulate them for making efforts. Even if they don’t achieve something, do the same – recognize and praise their efforts.
I have learned this first hand with Leila and her swimming because it’s such a tough sport where you literally compete for hundredths of a second time improvement or even placing. At first, it was disappointing for me when she would get disqualified for something simple seeming in my mind. I then realized she needed those moments to help her grow and learn, which became an accomplishment the next meet when she improved her time and didn’t get disqualified. We celebrate when she finishes and doesn’t get a DQ and also when she does great.
3. Be supportive of your child at all times
Sometimes, children only fear failure because they think it will disappoint their parents. But supporting them at all times can change their perspective. In other words, you don’t have to be supportive only when your child is participating in a contest, or during their exams. Instead, support them at all times.
Doing so will make your kids reassured that even if they fail, it won’t be the end of the world because their parents will be there for them, no matter what.
Again, another swim lesson I learned. The very first time Leila got a DQ at a meet, I was so concerned with what happened, I didn’t realize how she felt and how she thought I was disappointed in her. I was sad for her more than anything because she just swam an amazing race and she didn’t have anything to show for it more than disappointed in her! But my tone and questions made it seem I was disappointed not sad. Sometimes we have to look at our tone more than our other actions.
4. Encourage them to focus on finding solutions
There are two types of people in the world – Type one, those who consider failures as the end of the world, and type two are those who don’t let their emotions take over the control, and focus on finding solutions.
So, you guessed it right, you have to train your child to be in the second category. Let them know that failures don’t matter as much as our reactions. Don’t let them associate failures with incapability, instead consider failure as an opportunity to make things right.
Now, when Leila gets a DQ (thank goodness less often), she knows what she can work on in practice and come back the next meet stronger and better. She doesn’t let it stop her and even makes her a better swimmer and person because of it.
5. Let them know there’s no success without failure
The world talks of the final success, but no one talks of the journey in between. In other words, there’s no success without failures, and you have to let your child know that. If they didn’t win a race, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever.
As said before, perceive failures as a sign to become better and correct your mistakes, when you do that, it’s a given that you will do things right.
Success story for Leila — she got a Disqualification in her 100 meter butterfly in January and in February she cut enough time to place in the top 10 but also qualified her for the Junior Olympics meet, which she needed to cut about 20 seconds to qualify for. If she didn’t get the disqualification in January, she probably wouldn’t have improved her technique enough to cut all that time to qualify the next month in the same event! Not only did the disqualification help her in the 100 butterfly, it also helped her improve her time in the 50 meter butterfly!
6. Share your own stories
Sometimes, it feels good to know that you’re not the only one. Likewise, it might make your child feel better if they realize that they are not the only ones who didn’t do well or failed. There are millions like them – and that includes you. If you have a story to share, feel free to do that. Inspire them with your stories, or of others, you know.
Turn back the dial; go into the past, and think of the moments in life you felt that everything is going downhill. But you didn’t give up, and you just turned out fine.
I believe failure is a lifelong process for which we as parents have a lifetime to help our children get over that fear. Heck, there are probably some things to this day you are afraid to fail of, I know I have things I am afraid to fail! No one is perfect, but the quicker we help our children understand that failure is part of the process and how much we can learn from it, the better they will be in the long run. So don’t forget to share your own stories of failure and be supportive when they do fail. Be patient in the process and even celebrate the failures as much as the successes!
Home management is harder than we give it credit for. If you are a homemaker, who would know it better than you? I mean, it can leave you exhausted, and stressed and adds ounces more of anxiety when it doesn’t allow you to spend some leisure time in peace.
Hmph, but what can be the solution except running away to an island?
I’ll tell you – enhancing your home management skills to bring them to the next level. Practice can surely help, but these tips can be a game-changer.
9 ways to bring your home management skills to the next level
1. Organization
Monica Gellar might be your favorite for being adorable, welcoming, and witty. But most people love her for her A-rated organization skills.
Nonetheless, the point is organization is pivotal for top-notch home management. Not only it makes cleaning easier and quicker but makes your life simple. Wondering how? Well, it’s simple – when you already know where you keep inks and refills, you wouldn’t have to turn the house upside down to find them.
To make the organization even easier, you can invest in multiple storage tools, including small storage boxes to make sorting and categorizing easy.
2. Add labels
9 Ways to Bring your Home Management Skills to the Next Level
You might be able to identify black pepper, but not anyone who is not accustomed to working in your kitchen. So, to make it easy for them, consider adding labels to everything – not just things found in your kitchen. It will also make your work easier if in case you forget where you kept something in particular.
Add labels to containers in your kids’ rooms will help them remember what goes in each container and help keep the mess cleaned.
3. Create a to-do list
When you have too many tasks to do, things are bound to fall out of your hands. In this context, keeping a tab of every chore you are supposed to do would be difficult. Consequently, you might end up forgetting one or two things. Thus, to avoid that, you can create a to-do list of every chore you are supposed to do.
I prefer to create a calendar alert with a schedule of things to do and how long they might take. If I have a new item to do, on a specific day, I add it in where I have a little gap, or if it’s most important, first thing in the morning to ensure it gets completed. This keeps me on track each week and reminds me what and how much time I have to do things.
4. Prepare a calendar
Imagine this – you had a bunch of chores planned out for tomorrow but it just occurred to you that you promised your kid a short trip to the zoo the next day. Consequently, all your chores had to suffer.
What could have avoided it all is a well-maintained and updated calendar. And maybe in that calendar you see a different day you can go to the zoo or a shorter day of chores to accommodate both things. Sometimes it takes a little shuffling and extra time at the end of the day, but know it’s possible to do both!
It is simply that maintaining a calendar can only help you. You can plan your days and weeks ahead.
5. Prepare your meals
Cooking is not so challenging, as much as deciding the dishes to cook. All the more, we keep asking our kids what to cook because coming to a decision can be tricky. Not to mention, if you randomly decide to cook pasta for tonight, and see there are no ingredients for it in the kitchen, it can be pretty disappointing.
Along with preparing your meals, you can shop for groceries once a week and get all the supplies needed for the meals if you know ahead what you will make.
Nonetheless, meal preparation can save the day. You don’t have to waste minutes thinking, and you can make mindful choices for your grocery; you won’t buy anything you wouldn’t need.
6. Plan your chores
You don’t have to do all the chores every day. There are some that you can skip doing some days. So, make a plan accordingly. The upside of doing so would be that, when you know what you are supposed to do, you’ll do it quicker.
If you work a Monday thru Friday job, it’s probably best to try to do a few chores a night so when the weekend comes, you aren’t stuck doing everything from the whole week in 2 days without a rest. Maybe throw in a load of laundry a few nights a week and do the dishes nightly will help cut down the weekend responsibilities so you can enjoy yourself for once.
7. Follow a night-time routine
No one likes the morning rush. Strange it almost feels that it is inevitable? Sounds familiar? If yes, then who says you cannot do something about it?
9 Ways to Bring your Home Management Skills to the Next Level
Interestingly, a nighttime routine can help tremendously. Doesn’t matter if you are a homemaker or a working professional, preparing the night before can spare you time and of course the morning rush and stress. Here’s what I suggest.
–Select clothes, iron, and hang them.
–Keep all your daily make-up essentials in a convenient place.
–Cut veggies beforehand.
–Fill bottles and make ice cubes.
–Set your bags, or your children’s.
8. Challenge yourself to work faster
Working slowly might save you the stress initially, but it will bring you back to square one if you are running against the clock in the end to complete your chores.
Ergo, it’s any day better to increase your speed, be done with the tasks, and spare some time for yourself. You can do so by setting timers and challenging yourself to finish the chores within the set time.
9. Make use of cleaning hacks
Why do you want to work harder when you can do things easily with the help of exciting hacks? Well, here’s a list:
–Use lemon and baking soda first to remove stains on stoves, utensils, and kitchen floors easily.
–Dilute vinegar with water, spray the solution on the toilet seat, and scrub later.
–Use Mayonnaise to make stainless steel shiny.
–Mop with white vinegar.
To conclude,
First of all kudos to you – you are doing a great job. Home management is not easy. But I hope these tips can make it easier for you. If you have a few more tips to share, feel free to drop by the comment section. We’re all ears.
Even if you exercise regularly, go for walks, and eat healthy and nutritious food, you still cannot say you are living a healthy lifestyle. This might come as a shock to you but it cannot change the fact that our homes are refuge to a lot of toxic objects that we are too naïve to notice. They are so important for us that our lives depend on them even though they are causing our slow death. Which is exactly the meaning of a lifestyle — the whole picture, not just one little bit of it.
Today, I am listing a few of these items that are highly harmful to your health. So, remove them from your home today to genuinely live a healthy lifestyle.
9 things you should toss to detoxify your home
1. Plastic food jars, bottles, and plastic wraps
Plastic is a slow-ticking bomb. Yet unfortunately, it has seeped into our lifestyle in such a way that eliminating it requires us to make a lot of sacrifices.
Nevertheless, it cannot change the fact that eliminating plastic is necessary not only for our environment but our family’s health. It is made from harmful chemicals such as phthalates that can cause reproductive and, neurological damage in our system. In addition, food and water when stored in plastic can facilitate the release of such chemicals into these consumable items.
You can go for these alternatives instead – Glass containers, steel/copper bottles, and beeswax wrap. If you want to switch to beeswax wrap, we use Nature Bee Wraps in our home and love the way they work!
2. Non-stick pans
Non-stick pans can definitely make your lives easy given that you do not have to scratch and rub food off the
The pan that does it all! The Our Place pan. Click to shop
pan’s surfaces. But it might be a piece of fresh news to you that some non-stick pans when exposed to high temperatures can release toxic gases and chemicals. (These chemicals lie in the coating of such pans.)
Thankfully, there are a bunch of non-toxic non-stick pans available in the market. You just have to do your research well before you shop. Check out this post if you are in the market for some better-quality non-toxic pans.
3. Perfumes and deodorants
Perfumes and deodorants might solve your odor issues and give out a therapeutic fragrance but they are not good for your skin at all. They can cause a lot of dermatological issues, to begin with – skin darkening, and redness, and irritation. Additionally, they contain harmful chemicals such as aluminum, parabens, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, that are toxic for you when inhaled, especially if you have asthma.
You can look for organic alternatives to protect yourself from the harmful effects. Essential oils make great alternatives, but make sure you are using the best quality, like those available here. If you are looking for a good alternative for deodorant, this specific one is free from harmful chemicals. Other scents in their product line are made with Propylene Glycol, so be on the lookout for that. This is the exact brand and kind I use on a daily basis as well as what I have Leila using now that puberty is starting. It works equally as well for both of us.
4. Fabric softeners
Fabric softeners do have one benefit but against a hundred stumbling blocks. They are composed of quaternary ammonium salts that can cause various skin problems – primarily skin irritation, redness; in addition to respiratory issues and migraines.
You can use vinegar as an alternative. Use it as a final rinse for your laundry after diluting it in water.
The same can be said for the static sheets you put in the dryer with the clothes. If you want to still use something similar, grab wool balls and put a few drops of Essential Oils on them for the scent you are looking for and static relief.
5. Bug sprays and mosquito repellents
Bug sprays and mosquito sprays are some of the most toxic things you can provide shelter to. It contains harmful chemicals that can be disastrous for you when inhaled. Additionally, according to scientific research, it can also cause cancer and various neurological effects in children.
You can switch to a homemade bug spray using ingredients such as 3-5 drops each of citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and lavender.
6. Whitener Pen
The closest we have come to erasing pen inks is a whitener pen – considering it’s just a makeshift, not a reliable solution. Nonetheless, whitener pens are extremely toxic. One can easily see it for themselves when they breathe in the highly addicting smell. Inhaling whiteners is 300 times more harmful than alcohol; it can have adverse effects on the nervous system and can obstruct the functioning of the lungs, brain, and kidneys.
7. Shampoos with parabens and sulfates
The beauty and cosmetic fraternity are growing conscious of the harmful effects of parabens and sulfates on hair health and overall health. They have been known to increase the chances of cancer – as they imitate estrogen hormone leading to the growth of cancer cells.
Having said that, consider going for sulfate and paraben-free shampoos. Don’t be fooled by the marketing labels, read the ingredients list to check. You can also make your homemade shampoos to avoid damage.
If you are looking for a new line, which is free from most chemicals, check out R+Co. They are the line I use on my hair as well as that of my girls. They do a great job, don’t add extra weight or build up on the hair, and last quite a long time for their price.
8. Laundry detergents and cleaning products
Bleach, carpet cleaner, dishwashing detergent, tile cleaner, toilet cleaner – basically all sorts of cleaners and detergents have harmful chemicals such as Diethanolamine, Fragrance, Petroleum distillates, DEA/TEA, ammonia, phosphates, to name a few.
You can instead make use of natural cleaning agents such as baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon to achieve your desired cleaning results.
9. Candles
Lighting candles might be a god-sent for stress and anxiety but they are harmful to you in numerous ways. It can not only cause cancer when inhaled but paraffin wax, used in most candles, can produce highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned.
Ergo you can go for fragrance-free soy candles. If you do want fragrance, consider going for electric diffusers. If you want to purchase high quality oils for your diffusers, here’s a link to get what we use in our home and consider the best.
Finally,
Didn’t it come as a surprise to you? Did you know that these items were so harmful to you and your family’s health? Nevertheless, there’s no point in regretting now, it’s never too late to make a change. We have recently learned that our environment here in Arizona is becoming worse and worse for allergies, and will know what everyone is allergic to inside and outside and much of this listed above we will finally eliminate for good so we can have an easier time when the outdoors start affecting us. I hope you will consider these eliminations for you and your family’s sake!
Minimalism has gained its sheer popularity for all the right reasons. This concept proved to be life-changing for many people; it simplified their life and allowed them to focus on other integral issues much more effectively.
In a nutshell, it has turned out a blessing especially for moms. You might wonder how? Because being a mom and minimalism seems poles apart; you cannot really bring them together.
Well, you are mistaken. Minimalism and motherhood do go hand in hand. In fact, it makes motherhood quite easy. When you have fewer things at home, you have fewer things to clean, and a wider space to allow free movement. Consequently, you have more time to spend with your family, aka a lifesaver for many moms.
So, without further ado, allow us to bestow all the inspiring secrets of minimalist moms to make it seem all easy.
Inspiring secrets of minimalist moms
1. They know what they want and need
How often have you found yourself debating if you should buy this air-tight jar, or let it go? I bet it has happened plenty of times wherein you have battled with your own desires only to submit in the end because you could not differentiate between what you wanted and what you needed.
Or perhaps you knew the difference but your mind manipulated you into buying that object. It told you, “You cannot let this go. It can be used in the kitchen. It’s SOOOO pretty, you definitely need this (even when you have plenty of jars at home)”
We all have been there; we all have been fooled by our own minds. But as for minimalist moms, they do not let it happen. They know that simply knowing the difference between a want and need is not enough, but that letting or not letting this knowledge affect your purchasing decision is a part of the process.
Your mind will definitely manipulate you, it will submit to temptations, but you don’t have to give it the reins. You have to control your desires and your thought process. If your mind is trying to manipulate you, challenge yourself that you won’t let it succeed, you would not be so gullible after all to fall into the trap of your mind.
2. They have accepted that less is more
All our lives we have dwelled on the supremacy of more. We have focused more on quantity than quality. Not anymore! The times are changing and with it the doctrines. Now is the time when we start believing that less is more.
All because it makes our life easy, and we stress less. It is for these benefits that minimalist moms have upheld the very notion of less is more. They do not simply believe in it but practice it as well. They do not fill their wardrobes with tons and tons of clothes. And they keep a limited quantity and that sorts out most of the things for them.
3. They know it is a group activity
As a mom, if you want minimalism to work, then you cannot elude your family’s inclusion. In other words, minimalism is more likely to work when it is adopted and practiced by all the members of the family. This is the challenge here because it’s one thing to practice minimalism yourself, and another to persuade your family to do the same.
All the more, it’s not something that you can all of a sudden ask your family to practice. It takes a change of habits, and as a mother, it needs to be included in your child’s upbringing. You have to raise your kids in such a way that they become minimalists. It has to become their way of life, it should be something that they have seen all their lives, and collected their takeaways from that.
In simple words, they need to learn minimalism from the atmosphere at home. When they see you, they will try to imitate you and that’s how they will learn. It’s a group activity and meant to be practiced together. In addition to that, you can encourage them to follow some minimalist practice to manifest into their habits and daily routine.
4. For children, it starts with toys
Tell me if it does not take hours for you to assemble your kid’s toys because there are just so many of them. It’s like your house is made of toys, not bricks.
Okay, it was a little exaggeration but it is true, our kids have lots and lots of toys, defeating the purpose of minimalism.
Now that you realize it, you know what your goal and target will be. If you have to teach minimalism to your kids, you have to start with their toys. You have to encourage them to opt for fewer toys, declutter from time to time, or donate them to those in need.
You also do not have to submit to their whims and desires in the first place. Don’t buy them every toy they point their fingers at. If you do so, you would not only be filling your home with toys but will make your kids materialists and stubborn in the future,
5. Occasional decluttering
Minimalism and decluttering are mutually exclusive. Minimalist moms occasionally declutter their homes. They do not keep things that are of zero value to them – that includes broken objects, objects they haven’t used in years even when they look new and pretty. In short, they are firm when they declutter.
They do not let things stay, they know what will be of use to them; they do not engage in a constant debate with their brain, they just throw things out if they know they won’t use them.
6. Reuse and recycling
Just so you know, when being a minimalist, you are consciously or unconsciously practicing environmentalism. Going by the simple logic, when you own fewer things, you are not exploiting the earth of its materials and natural resources. At the same time, as a minimalist mom, your goal is to reduce wastage as well. You reuse, recycle rather than buying more things.
7. They go digital
Minimalist moms know that technology can be their best friend if they make optimal use of them. For starters, they use technology to reduce clutter around the homes.
If you are looking forward to becoming a minimalist mom, you can do the same. You can limit your consumption of newspapers, and settle for digital newspapers. At the same time, you don’t increase clutter by investing in books, but you go for an e-reader, or kindle reader instead.
At the same time, they prefer keeping digital backups of their important documents. All the more when they go out, they request the shopkeepers to mail them bills instead of carrying a paper copy with them and create unnecessary clutter.
Well, that’s all there is. We have disclosed all the inspiring secrets of minimalist moms. I hope their secrets have inspired you to take up minimalism to make your lives better, simpler, and easy.
If you happen to know more secrets or have your opinions about the concept of minimalism, feel free to drop your views in the comments section. If you are still on the fence about how minimalism can help you, check out these blog posts on the topic:
Every experience can teach you a lot. Whether it is working a job, or going on a trip, there are always lessons you can learn to become better individuals and make wise life choices. Surprisingly, even in little instances, little experiences have their own significance when they can give you a lot of takeaways – both big and small.
One such little moment for me, was when I decluttered my wardrobe. I learned a lot more than just facts that decluttering is tough, and I owned a huge wardrobe.
Here are the ten lessons that will stay with me, all carrying trivial and big revelations.
10 Lessons I learned from decluttering my wardrobe
1. I have wasted a lot of money
When you are decluttering your wardrobe, there are not just one or two pieces of clothing you discard, there’s a bunch full of them – including the clothes that we bought but only wore once or twice. Now imagine how much we could have saved, had we made better purchasing decisions. Sounds relatable enough? If yes, then learn from my mistakes. Buy only those clothes that you know you would wear certainly.
2. What I thought I wanted, was what I merely needed
“I want it.”, that’s the constant thought I get whenever I find a dress captivating. There’s a desperate urge to buy clothes even when I am trying to save money. Well, I don’t know if that’s your weak spot, but it’s definitely mine.
Nonetheless, it was only after decluttering, I realized that what I thought I wanted, was just my urge. And when it comes to that, it’s not difficult to control once you realize that the world won’t collapse if your wardrobe doesn’t have that attire.
3. We can never be satisfied
I have heard from the saints, from the legends that we humans can never be satisfied. It is not some kind of epiphany but it definitely felt like it while I was decluttering. I owned so many clothes – only because I was never satisfied with what I had. Satisfaction comes from gratitude. We need to be more grateful for the things we have.
4. Less is Better
When it came to shopping fashion, I always believed having less is worse. I didn’t see the bigger picture back then. But now I do; ever since I got rid of a stack full of clothes – I don’t have less, I have more. And somehow, having less feels better. I realized it when I saw my closet emptier than before – it feels light. It’s as if a heavy load has been dropped off my chest. I also realize how much shopping was emotional for me and not in a good way. It was a coping mechanism verses an actual need of things.
5. Going with the trend and comparing is not important
Life is too short to worry about trivial things. Things like – “I have to keep up with the trend” “People might judge me if I dress shabbily.” “I want people to like me, even if that involves doing an expensive, and unaffordable wardrobe makeover”
Now that I think about it, it doesn’t matter – you don’t have to keep up with the fashion – the world won’t be affected. Moreover, you belong with the people who like you for being you – not your wardrobe.
6. We must strive to be in the present – even when picking a wardrobe
How often do you find yourself buying outfits for a future party that hasn’t been decided yet? I bet it happens all the time. But trust me, when it comes to wardrobe picking, never shop from a future perspective unless you know the event is certain to happen. Moreover, don’t shop for too many categories of clothes you know you wouldn’t wear frequently.
7. Material things only give temporary joy
This was something I already know, but it hit me only after decluttering. I remember how happy I was after buying a dress I liked. One week later, and after constant wear, it didn’t even matter.
8. “What-if” items are just a waste of space
Go back to the last time you were decluttering – you kept a few things wondering, “What if you’ll need it later?” Now, where are those things? Do you use them or are they still lying as they were back then?
I bet it’s the latter. But you’re not alone, it’s a universal story. Nonetheless, there’s no point in keeping “What-if things” because if you didn’t use it until now, you are not going to use it later – as simple as that.
9. Decluttering can significantly reduce stress
Are you finding the magic potion to manage stress? Trust me, decluttering can help a lot. It can reduce stress significantly – including the decluttering stress, the morning rush, and most importantly, I-cannot-find-the-dress-I-want-to-wear stress.
10. Decluttering is not a one-time process
You may get rid of some things, but things will be the same. I mean, over time you will buy new things and at the same time, you’ll find a lot of things that you wouldn’t need. So, decluttering is not a one-time process, it should be a regular practice that you must involve yourself in at least once a month.
Hey there, are there some lessons you learned too while decluttering? If yes, feel free to share them with us in the comment section.
Do you open your closet and fall against your back beneath a pile of clothes? Do you take hours to find that top you want to wear? If yes, it means your closet is full of stuff you don’t need; and you need to declutter.
However, I do know that decluttering can be a struggle. I mean how often have you taken out, and put back clothes in a conflict? So, the point is, decluttering requires letting go. And as they say, letting go is not easy. Nonetheless, it’s important if you want peace. If you want to attack your whole house, I encourage you to read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When I read this book the first time, my life completely changed. I found so much more space in my home and felt so much better about myself. I often revisit the principals and do my decluttering at least once a month. Let’s get started on a very easy, but also difficult area, your clothes. Here are a few tips I use often when I’m decluttering and deciding what to keep and not. These work well with anyone in your family, even the kids.
How to Declutter your Clothes
1. Separate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t
Letting go of clothes requires a tough heart. But before you must get to that, how about starting easy?
So, the first step is to segregate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t. The first batch is definitely the one you won’t have to let go of. While for the former, you know you have to. If you have seasons and want to start with clothes you haven’t worn all season, like sweater or jeans or dresses, this makes quick work.
Now the logic behind this segregation is, it won’t be much of a struggle with clothes you don’t wear and you don’t care about. These are the ones you can let go of easily. If you haven’t worn them all season, they go right into the pile, especially if the seasons are about to change. However, sometimes even that can be troublesome. If the struggle seems familiar, you might want to follow the next step.
2. Separate the ones that are worn out or those that don’t fit you anymore
Worn-out clothes – those that look old and ragged, or have threads pulling out, buttons broken, with tears- are easy to let go because there’s no reason to keep them – making the first lot that you can get rid of, easily.
Next, coming to those clothes that don’t fit you anymore. You might be tempted to keep them on a pretense that you’ll get back in shape. I often do this with workout clothes that are too big but still in good shape. I always think about how much money was spent on them and try to wear them again, even if they are falling down when I try to run. It’s honestly more frustrating and I always take that clothing item off, sometimes mid workout, and put it in the donate pile, because it’s so annoying. But I’m not going to gain the weight back or lose the muscle I have so I won’t fit into them again. You need to ask yourself the same, will you commit to a routine where you can wear them again, or not? Would you be able to exercise regularly? Would you be able to eat clean? Are you committed to achieving being able to wear the item again?
Be honest with yourself here. If you think you cannot fit into them again – let go. If you think otherwise, separate those clothes and give them a one-month timeline. During this month, you have to exercise, eat clean, and try to reduce the fat no matter what. If you manage to do that, feel free to keep them. If not – you know what to do.
3. Know where to donate your clothes
Kindness feels good. Sometimes when you know you are donating your clothes to those in need, your heart gets bigger. In other words, you let go without much of a struggle. So, if you want to seriously let go of clothes, and want to help someone, talk to an orphanage or social services regarding clothes donation. Once you do that, clothing donation would seem like an obligation (It’s a good thing).
Here in Arizona, there are drop off boxes for shoes, clothes, household items, books and similar items that benefit local charities. I feel better about taking my items that are still in good shape to these places because they do get a second life with someone who can use them. Obviously, if the clothes are stained or not in good shape, I don’t add them to the pile. Other items I take to Goodwill because they don’t fit into the above mentioned categories.
4. Ask yourself all the decluttering questions
Decluttering can be a struggle, but it can become fairly easy if you ask yourself the right questions. Here is the checklist.
“Do I really like this piece of clothing?”
“Do I wear these kinds of clothes?”
“Would I really have them altered?”
“Is there going to be a party anytime soon, where I can wear it?”
“Am I not letting it go because it’s in good condition, knowing that I don’t wear it?”
“Am I not letting go because it created a hole in my pocket?”
“Does this item bring me joy?” — Marie Kondo question
Once you ask these questions, it’s a no-brainer that you have to be honest with yourself. Nonetheless, if you are conflicted about the last two questions – trust me there’s no use in creating unnecessary space even when it’s in good condition. If you are donating, someone can use it. Secondly, if it was expensive, it’s in the past, you cannot get the money back, so there’s no point in holding it either. And if someone can use that expensive item and actually enjoy and use it, it’s serving them better than sitting in your closet collecting dust and taking up space.
This deserves another section because it’s something sensitive. Sometimes you don’t keep clothes because you think they’re in perfectly good condition, or you wasted money on them, but because those clothes are souvenirs of moments or people. Holding onto these items can mean you are not moving on.
So, ask yourself, “Is it the right thing to do?” “What are other ways I can remember this person or moment?” Sometimes, you can look in your phone and find a photo of the clothing item, the person or experience, and keep the memory that way versus the clothing item.
It’s you who has to make the call.
Lastly, Make it a routine
You might want one piece of clothing really bad this month, but a few months later, you might even forget about it because you wouldn’t like it anymore. It’s human nature – we get bored and tired of things, especially clothes, that’s why we keep buying new, not because we own fewer of them.
So, it is highly suggestible to evaluate your clothes every now and then, make it a routine. Trust me, decluttering cannot be a one-time process, because of the same reason mentioned above, and because we own too much. We change, clothes change, as do the seasons. It’s important to remember it’s ok to change and want different things, just remember to sort out your closet as much as you change your mind.
Nonetheless, once again, to make it easier, you need to ask yourself all the right questions. (The ones I listed above, in the previous section) and answer honestly.
Hey there, do you find decluttering hard? Feel free to share your views and ideas with us in the comment section.
their response towards it. Meaning, if you consider failure like the end of the world, they’ll consider the same. So, be mindful of how you react to your own failures, as well as your child’s.
at all times can change their perspective. In other words, you don’t have to be supportive only when your child is participating in a contest, or during their exams. Instead, support them at all times.
success without failures, and you have to let your child know that. If they didn’t win a race, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever.
kids what to cook because coming to a decision can be tricky. Not to mention, if you randomly decide to cook pasta for tonight, and see there are no ingredients for it in the kitchen, it can be pretty disappointing.
eliminating it requires us to make a lot of sacrifices.
of times wherein you have battled with your own desires only to submit in the end because you could not differentiate between what you wanted and what you needed.
The times are changing and with it the doctrines. Now is the time when we start believing that less is more. 
your house is made of toys, not bricks.
by the simple logic, when you own fewer things, you are not exploiting the earth of its materials and natural resources. At the same time, as a minimalist mom, your goal is to reduce wastage as well. You reuse, recycle rather than buying more things. 
the clothes that we bought but only wore once or twice. Now imagine how much we could have saved, had we made better purchasing decisions. Sounds relatable enough? If yes, then learn from my mistakes. Buy only those clothes that you know you would wear certainly.
want people to like me, even if that involves doing an expensive, and unaffordable wardrobe makeover”
decluttering stress, the morning rush, and most importantly, I-cannot-find-the-dress-I-want-to-wear stress.
other words, you let go without much of a struggle. So, if you want to seriously let go of clothes, and want to help someone, talk to an orphanage or social services regarding clothes donation. Once you do that, clothing donation would seem like an obligation (It’s a good thing). 
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