5 Min in the Closet: Teen Clean

I recently had the opportunity to help a darling teenager organize her room. Like all teenagers, her room is a reflection of her style, filled with pictures, awards, art, books, and jewelry. The last thing you want to do is remove the personality from the room. But things can quickly become chaotic after collecting so much memorabilia. 

I decided to start with her closets. At first glance, they didn't seem to be the biggest problem area in her room. But as we dug through and reviewed every single item in her two closets, we were able to get rid of over a dozen bags of clothes, games, and stuffed animals. Her mother was literally shocked at how much had been crammed in the closets and how many unused, outgrown, or forgotten items we removed!!

We didn't need any additional storage bins. We actually had several empty bins when we finished. You really don't want to be storing things that you never use. Once they're packed away, they're out of sight and out of mind. This is ok for seasonal items, but not for everyday use.

​We still need to address her desk, bookcase, and bedside tables. But as I left her, she was so motivated that she was tackling her dresser drawers. It feels so good to take inventory of all your belongings and have them organized in a way in which you can quickly find what you are looking for. And it's a good lesson for teens as they enter into adulthood. You need to appreciate and be thankful for everything you have in your closet and in your life.