Disclaimer: This post is heavily influenced by this post I read a few weeks ago from B’s Book Love— I found her on Pinterest, and her blog is full of teaching gems!

In full disclosure, I have not (yet!) read Marie Kondo’s book. It is, however, at the very top of my summer reading list, as I anticipate it will drastically help me downsize before moving to Nashville in August. I’ll update this section with my personal comments later.

Ashley (B’s Book Love) followed these steps: Declutter, Keep Joy, and Organize by Use. As I mentioned before, you can read more in depth about her personal journey on her blog (first link in this post).

I feel like I should start by sharing this meme…. 😂

^^ I relate to this on a very deep level, ha! Even in the digital age we are now immersed in, I find myself drawn to paper copies and resources. Maybe that’s the old fashioned student in me, but things ended up accumulating SUBSTANTIALLY in my classroom over the last two years. After finals officially finished on Wednesday last week, my main mission was to declutter my room before boxing things up. I ordered medium sized banker’s boxes from Amazon (8 boxes for $31 here). The boxes are no-tape assembly, which rocks! You just fold and bend– if it takes you a few tries, no worries. I personally thought the instructions were a little vague.

As a Type A organizer and labeler of ALL THE THINGS, it was just a matter of which items would be allotted to which box(es). I wrote on white index cards (one for the lid, one for a side of the box), labeling with the names below. I used 5 old paper boxes from the office for my leisure and teaching books.

The other 8 boxes are as follows:

  • English 9 curriculum: binders of materials
  • English 11 curriculum: binders of materials
  • Decor: canvases, wall hangings, gel clings, Christmas lights, etc.
  • Keepsake: photos of/with students, cards, notes, pieces of art, gifts, etc.
  • School supplies: basically all the things from my desk 😂
  • Pottery: my brother’s pots and dishes that I use for both decor and storage
  • Electronics: movies, DVD player, wireless keyboard, mouse, extension cords, etc.
  • Misc: the stuff that doesn’t fit into another category (games, containers, etc.)

In the declutter phase I threw away a TON of stuff, but I also decluttered a bit as I packed my boxes for the sheer reason of space and weight.

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All in all, I filled the 8 banker’s boxes, the 5 book boxes, and moved a wire standing shelf. It took me two car trips, but that’s it!! I was VERY pleasantly surprised it wasn’t more! I anticipate going through those boxes again when I decide what I want to take to grad school with me this fall. Hopefully I can declutter the boxes a little more then as well.

Have you read Marie Kondo’s book?? What did/do you think? Have you put it into practice? I’d love to read your comments, advice, and suggestions before I dive in.