My Perfect Fall Bucket List

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

Fall (or Autumn, as some may call it) is my favorite season ever. I just don’t know what it is about it that I love exactly. There are so many reasons that I have waxed on and on about it here on this very blog: the cooler weather, the falling leaves, the crispness in the air, the red/orange/yellow aesthetic, and HALLOWEEN. It’s just a wonderful season where you finally get to get your long sleeved outfits out of the closet and wear your cardigans, flannels, and sweaters, along with some cute boots. (Did I also mention that the fashion is fabulous as well?) Everything just seems so comfy and cozy and for that reason you just want to revel in the deliciousness and loveliness that is fall.

But unfortunately, this lovely year of 2020 has kind of put a damper on going out and actually celebrating this wonderful time of year. Yes, we can celebrate from home, like we’re supposed to (stay home, people!), but there are just some activities that you want to go out and do in the fall, to really feel like you’re celebrating and being a part of this season. So while I would like to go out and take a break from watching horror movies (which I love doing), I will just have to settle for making a list of things I would love to do, if I were allowed to go out and about and celebrate the season like it’s not 2020. Here is my perfect Fall/Autumn Bucket list. (And here’s hoping I can actually tick more than a few off of this list in 2021!)

Have you read my post where I did the Hallotober tag? It was so much fun to do and very fall/autumn! You can read it here! 

My Perfect Fall/Autumn Bucket List

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Now, it’s been a few years since I’ve been to an actual pumpkin patch. Usually when I want to buy a pumpkin to carve and decorate, I just get it from the store (I have a feeling they don’t naturally grow in my local supermarkets storefront. You know, in those giant cardboard boxes). Because there aren’t a lot of pumpkin patches near me (those ones in empty lots on the corners of intersections that pop up around Halloween don’t count!). But I would love to visit an actual pumpkin patch (or at least a nursery masquerading as a pumpkin patch. As long as they have scarecrows, pumpkins on the ground, and hay bales, I’ll probably be fooled!) and pick my own pumpkin and just get that autumn aesthetic I keep seeing on Instagram. How dare some people live near pumpkin patches and actually have the access to take cute pictures of themselves there! The audacity!

Go Apple Picking

Did you know that I have never gone apple picking before? It’s a fall activity right up there with going to a pumpkin patch! I love apples and I think it’s so cool that you can actually go out to an actual orchard and pick your own apples. Think of all the things you can do with fresh apples! (Besides eat them plain!) You could make them into cider (very fall), or an apple pie (so autumn), or any other sweets and treats! Apples just go so well with fall and it’s one activity I really want to check off of my fall bucket list one day! Now, to actually find an apple orchard near me...that may be a problem...

Photo by Natalie Grainger on Unsplash

Throw a Halloween Party

I’ve had Halloween parties in the past and have attended them as well, but obviously this year you can’t really throw a big Halloween rager like I want to (not that I throw ragers. My Halloween parties are very demure- but fun!). But in the future, I’d love to throw a fun Halloween shindig, where everyone dresses up (or not. You know someone is going to be lazy and show up in a lackluster Halloween costume. They get the laziest costume award!), serve fun Halloween themed food, snacks, and drinks, and have fun Halloween activities (I don’t know what that entails in an adult Halloween party but I’m assuming part of it is consuming a decent amount of Halloween themed booze. But I’d be happy with a silly game or two!). There’s nothing like seeing your friends in costume (some go all out! I personally would go for something punny and clever) and all hanging out to celebrate a fun holiday. Plus, you get some pretty epic pictures of everyone together!

Halloween Cookie/Treat Baking/Decorating

Now, this one you can do from home and this one I have done from home this year- several times! So far I’ve only made a few treats (Halloween bark, Halloween rice Krispy treats with Oreos, and one ill-fated attempt to make cinnamon rolls look like pumpkins. They did not look at all like pumpkins, but they did taste delicious, so that was something!) this spooky season, but with only a few days left until Halloween, I’m sure I can squeeze in another treat or two before the big day arrives. Candy and sweets are such a big part of Halloween, and now that I’m too old (sob) to trick or treat, making and eating delicious sweets is the only way I can really celebrate that aspect of the holiday! (And boy, do I!)

Go Somewhere Where They Are Red, Yellow, and Brown Leaves

I may have mentioned this a few times (or many times. I’ve lost count), but I live in the desert. So, we don’t exactly have a lot of trees that change color in the fall. In fact, those trees that actually change color are not native here, and it doesn’t get really cool enough for the ones here to change color until December or January! But up north in my state, we do actually have trees that change colors (because it’s colder up north and they actually have weather, like snow and stuff) and one day I’d love to go for a drive up north with some friends and just go look at those trees (and smell them. You know that smell of falling leaves in the fall!), take some pictures, and possibly let my inner child out and make a big pile of leaves and fall into them. And then throw them up in the air so it’s like it’s raining leaves. Sigh. I’m such a desert kid.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Visit A Haunted House Attraction

I know a lot of people don’t like being scared (which I really don’t understand, but you do you), but there’s just something about going through a haunted house, either homemade or high budget, like Universal Horror Nights or Knotts Scary Farm (either of which I’d love to attend one day!) that is so thrilling and fun. Maybe because I like all things spooky and being scared, or it’s the high you get after someone scares you and you scream and then laugh, while clutching your friend (or group of friends, which you always stay in a some sort of huddle- for safety- as you go slowly through the haunted house until you all start running after you hear a chainsaw near you), but there’s just something so exhilarating about pretending there is a crazed maniac and/or demons/ghosts after you that really gets you in a the fall mood. Is it just me? Probably just me. That’s okay!

Visit (and Master) A Corn/Hay Maze

I don’t know what it is about mazes, but I love 'em. I literally drool over those beautiful pictures of hedge mazes that those fancy estates in England have. There’s just something very mysterious and beautiful about getting lost in a maze and trying to find your way out. But the best part of corn or hay mazes is that they just symbolize autumn so well (Corn I get, obviously, but why hay? Isn’t hay an all year round thing?) and the fact that you can make them into a maze? So cool! Thumbs up if they are creepy (or I’ll settle for friendly and fun. Sigh) scarecrows scattered throughout. I don’t know, I’ve never been to a corn or hay maze before! I guess I’d just be happy with some hot chocolate and a picture opportunity afterwards. (If we can make it out! Mwah ha ha!)

Have a Scary Movie Marathon

I may do this one all year round (I love me some scary movies!), but there’s just something so much more special about watching horror movies at this time of year. The slight chill in the air, the upcoming spirit of Halloween casting a spooky but delightful cloud over our head, that makes watching horror movies together a much more fun experience. It’s almost like a shared experience, especially in a movie theater, to see a new horror movie together. It’s the best to hear the audience (or your friends) cry out or jump at the exact same time, or have that one person who is running commentary and stating, “do not go in there! Ugh, I told them…” I have so many fond memories of watching horror movies with friends at home and at the theater, and sometimes the best is right after the movie when everyone is discussing the scariest parts as our hearts start to slow down, and then someone has to use the bathroom. Uh oh... They’re going to need a pee buddy, just in case. (And also check behind the shower curtain if you’re using the bathroom at home after a horror movie. Because you just never know…)

Looking for some scary movies to watch this Halloween? Well, then do I have the list for you! Here are some of my favorite horror movies that I highly recommend and you can check it out here!

Have a Bonfire Night With Friends

As cozy as bonfires are, they can also be a bit problematic. Again, I live in the desert, and any fire can turn into a wildfire if you’re not careful. But if I had a bonfire, I would be extremely careful (aka putting someone else who knows what they’re doing in charge!) and invite friends over to roast marshmallows, catch up, and tell scary stories while we’re all bundled up in sweaters and cozy, warm blankets underneath the stars. Can’t you just smell that delicious smoke in the cold air just thinking about it?

Go to a Fair/State Fairs

Like most things this year, fun things that involve groups of people were cancelled. And one of the things I’ve always wanted to go to and have only gone to once, has been shut down. For now. Fairs have always seemed like a summer activity to me, until I went to the state fair years ago in September, and it just seemed like the perfect way to kick off the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. There was so much to see and do (from rides, games, horrifying deep fried things to eat, to farm animals on display that I desperately wanted to free, but held myself back from doing that) that I could have stayed there all day! I hope when it’s safe to do so, I can go back and live out my fair dreams and be aghast at the fact that Kool-aid pickles are an actual thing. I mean....how. And why? (Cause ‘merica!)

Visit An Actual Haunted Location

I know, I know. I’m a crazy lady. Who would actually want to visit a place that could in fact be actually haunted by a spirit or maybe two? This girl! I don’t know if I’m a believer in the supernatural, but I’ve always been fascinated by it and honestly wish that I’ve had a spooky experience (think of what a fun blog post that would make!). So I hope that when it’s safe to travel again, I can go visit a haunted hotel near-ish me and stay the night and see if I find anything. I actually do have a pretty long list of haunted locations I’d love to visit one day, and there’s one in my state that’s pretty famous that I really want to stay at. Again, am I nuts? Maybe, but just think of the thrills and chills and the possible sightings or spirits I may encounter. Or not. It would be a fun and spooky adventure that I’m dying (pun totally intended) to go on! (Pray for me that nothing follows me home, just in case. You never know!)

Have you read my about my not so ghostly misadventures when I went to the Winchester Mystery House? If not, you can read it here! It's the perfect spooky blog post to read around Halloween!

Photo by Ehud Neuhaus on Unsplash

And that was my perfect fall bucket list! I was able to cross off a couple this year, but that virus has certainly put a damper on 2020, hasn’t it? I hope in 2021 I’ll be able to check a few off of my bucket list and have a great and memorable fall! What are some of your favorite go to autumn activities? Do you do any of the things on my list, or do you do something else? Let me know in the comments and let me know if you suggest something else to add to my list! Also, what do you call this wonderful season: Fall or Autumn? Let me know!

And since it’s in a few days, Happy Halloween, everyone! I know it may be a bit different this year, but I hope you all can have some fun and celebrate, while still staying safe! It’s actually even better that you’re staying at home this Halloween, so all the ghosts and ghoulies can find you and haunt you. You’re welcome for putting that thought in your head! Have fun trying to sleep that night! (I know, I’m terrible. You’re welcome)

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13 Horror Movies You NEED To Watch This Halloween! (Part 4)

Photo by Daniel Jensen on Unsplash

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through one of these Very Special Links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Just a head's up!

Hi boys and ghouls! It’s spooky season and my second Halloween post of this great month of October! To celebrate this scary, eerie month, I’ve decided to write about something that I am very passionate about: horror movies! Yes, scary movies and Halloween just go hand in hand (though you should really be watching horror movies all year round. Trust me, they’re still scary to watch even when it’s not Halloween time!) and it’s now time for my yearly edition of horror movies that I recommend! But in a twist, I’ve not only added some of my favorite scary horror movies (of course!), I’ve also added a fun horror movie or two. Because there are some funny, tongue-in-cheek horror movies out there that maybe won’t chill you to the bone, but still give you the fun spooky thrills, plus some laughs that a lot of other horror films will not offer you. (At least, not very many!)

And now I present my fourth (yes, fourth) edition of my horror movies that you should watch this Halloween! From ghosts, to crawling creatures with big teeth, vampires, and a twisting, turning cavern of bones under the most romantic city on earth, you will have plenty of movies to choose from! So no excuses, get watching and get ready to get some chills up and down your spine and goosebumps on your arms, because that’s part of the fun of Halloween!

If you haven’t checked out my other scary movie recommendations, you can read the first three here, here, and here! (I really like horror movies, you guys. In case you couldn't tell already.)

Ready or Not

Fox Searchlight

Ready or Not was one of the movies I was so desperate to see last year. It seemed like such a unique and fun concept: a new bride on her wedding night has to play a game of hide and seek with her new in-laws (what a wedding night, am I right?) until morning… or else. It turned out to be not just a slasher (though there were gory parts), but a brand new and fun horror story in it's own right. I was genuinely so surprised and had the best time watching it. You'll laugh, you'll jump, and dare I say, you'll have a devilishly good time. (You'll know what I mean once you see the movie! Also, I'm terrified to get married and have in-laws now. Eek)

Very Special Link: Buy Ready or Not on Amazon

Annabelle Comes Home

Warner Bros.

You may be familiar with Annabelle, the demonic doll from The Conjuring and it's Annabelle spin-offs (who knew a scary and demented version of Raggedy Ann could give you nightmares?). While the first standalone Annabelle movie was a bit bleh (we expect a lot from you, Annabelle!), the second one, Annabelle: Creation, was a scary and well-written horror romp that I truly loved (seriously, watch it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!). And while the third installment, Annabelle Comes Home, isn’t as good as Annabelle: Creation, it’s still a really fun horror romp that may not be as satisfying, but it’ll still give you a thrill or two. And bonus points for all of the fun 70’s fashion and music thrown out throughout!

Very Special Link: Buy Annabelle Comes Home on Amazon

Crawl

Paramount Pictures

I'm not one for creature features, but I'm not going to lie: big ass animals with sharp teeth scare me. A lot. And a horror movie featuring gigantic alligators...well, that’s something I probably wouldn’t make it out of alive! In Crawl, a young woman and her father have to fight off some seriously huge and angry alligators at their house in Florida. During a hurricane! Not only is the movie pretty dang scary, but it also has a bit of humor in it (I mean, it’s set in Florida and there are some colorful locals. I have to say, it was a nice touch!). The whole thing will have you on the edge of your seat and vowing to never go anywhere that alligators may be roaming freely.

Very Special Link: Buy Crawl on Amazon

Malevolent

Netflix

Before Florence Pugh was doing her famous crying face in Midsommar (you know the face I mean!), she was playing an American posing as a psychic along with her "ghost-hunting" brother, who decides to investigate a paranormal case in England that she, her brother, and her friends start to realize they never should have taken the job at all, once things take a sudden and deadly turn. This was the first time I had seen Florence Pugh in anything, and I remembered being in awe of her acting chops, and the fact that the movie gave me more shivers than Midsommar ever did (I mean, Florence was great in it, but am I the only one who thinks Ari Aster’s movies are overrated? Just me? Okay).

You can watch Malevolent on Netflix in some countries!

A Tale of Two Sisters

Tartan

I feel ashamed that it took me so long to see this movie. I honestly tried watching it a few years ago and couldn't get into it (so ashamed!). But I blame that on me being used to American horror movies which are so stylized and fast paced (aka lots of jump scares). But this classic South Korean horror flick is a master of suspense, dread, and tragedy. One of my favorite horror movies, The Uninvited, is based off of A Tale of Two Sisters and as much I love The Uninvited, A Tale of Two Sisters reigns supreme. It will confuse you, astonish you, and then break your heart. It may start off slow, but trust me, the end, and the whole entire movie, is so worth it.

Very Special Link: Buy A Tale of Two Sisters on Amazon or stream it for free on Amazon Prime

The Nightmare

Gravitas Ventures

Have any of you ever had sleep paralysis? I’ve only experienced it once and it was terrifying. Sleep paralysis is when you’re between that stage of being awake and still asleep and dreaming, and for some people, it can create horrible waking nightmares where you’re unable to fully move or wake up and you’re just witnessing something terrible that’s only happening in your mind. This documentary, told only through recreations and voiceovers, tells the stories of people who suffer from this condition, and the terror that it creates whenever they go to sleep and (try) to wake up. From shadow people, to almost alien-like creatures, you’re right in that person’s POV and it’s scary as hell.

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent The Nightmare of Amazon

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Bryanston Distributing

I’m sure you’ve heard of Leatherface, but have you actually seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Like, the original 1970’s version? Not the modern remakes, but the actual legit horror classic? Because I hadn’t a few years before, despite being a horror movie connoisseur (not my official title. But if you want to call me that, you can!). And you guys: it was actually really scary. I’m not a slasher type of movie person by any means (ghosties and demons all the way for me!), but there was just something about this low budget 70’s that just got me right in the “I’m scared” part of my brain. From the disturbing family of Leatherface, to the fact that they used actual animal carcasses on set during the height of summer (that must have smelled lovely!), the bluntness and sparseness of the filming makes it an even more bleak and scary experience. You won’t be able to hear a chainsaw in the same way again after this movie, I promise you that. 

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Amazon

Saw

Lions Gate Films

I know, I know. Saw, you say? Hasn’t there already been too many of these movies? Yes, but the first one is a masterpiece. Is it low budget? Yes. Is it gory? Yes. Was it one of the first time’s we got to see James Wan’s genius in action? Oh yes. And for that, I am truly grateful. Yes, you may be distracted by all the “let’s play a game” jokes people have been saying for years and Jigsaw on his trike, but if you really focus on the story and realize how clever it is, you can put all that aside and just marvel at how this one little movie and it’s brilliant premise spawned so many (good-ish to bad) sequels aka a whole freaking movie franchise.

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent Saw on Amazon
 

Shutter

Phenomena

*Trigger Warning: This movie contains some pretty upsetting and disturbing scenes. I won’t get too specific, because it would involve spoilers, but just a word of caution if you’re sensitive to certain violent subjects*

I literally just watched this movie and had to add it to my list for this year. Like A Tale of Two Sisters, I had seen the American version of this, but the original Thai version of Shutter is just perfection and makes the American one seem like utter trash (which it is). From the horrifying plot (a hit and run where the ghost of the victim begins to haunt the young couple), to how the story unravels and becomes so much more and even more disturbing than the beginning of the movie, you’ll be shocked and upset at the end outcome. (And that imagery! My god, that imagery at the end! So haunting!)

Very Special Link: Buy Shutter on Amazon

The Cabin in the Woods

Lionsgate

Yes, I know, you’ve most likely seen this one, but for those who haven’t, it’s a brilliant take on all of the horror movie genres, from the slasher movies, to the supernatural ones, all mish-mashed into one brilliant and entertaining tribute to the genre that we all know and love. More full of laughs than terror, you’ll be delighted with this movie if you’re a horror fan. And probably enjoy it even if you’re not! Because I’m pretty sure you know at least a few of the horror movie tropes even if you’re not a big horror fan!

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent The Cabin in the Woods on Amazon or stream it for free on Amazon Prime

The Exorcist

Warner Bros.

Can you believe I’ve never added this movie to any of my horror movie lists?? (Did you read that in a Jonathan Van Ness voice? Because if not, go back and read that first sentence again in his voice. You won't be sorry!) Because this is probably one of my all time favorite horror movies and horror novels. If you haven’t read the book (which you should), at least see the movie. It’s so faithful to the book, and truly, honestly horrifying. But so, so good! I’ve known so many people who’ve only seen it once (usually when they were kids) and have refused to watch it again because it scared them that bad. But the story of a little girl who is possessed by a demon and must be exorcised is so much more than just split pea soup vomit and heads spinning 360 degrees- it’s a story of faith, or more like the story of a failing faith. Whichever way you want to view it, horror or with a deeper meaning, it’ll probably disturb you despite the old-fashioned effects. Because if the spider-walk down the stairs doesn’t get you, the subliminal imagery woven into the movie definitely will!

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent The Exorcist on Amazon

As Above, So Below

Universal Pictures

Have you ever wanted to explore the Paris Catacombs? Me too! I mean, an underground burial site filled with bones of the deceased that goes on for miles under the great city of love? Count me in! But I definitely don’t want to go on this trip from As Above, So Below. I mean, urban exploring sounds great in theory, but the fact that you could get lost in the wandering, maze-like tunnels of the Catacombs, is frightening in and of itself. And this is exactly what happens in this scary, dizzying, and trippy horror flick. You won’t come out of the movie the same person you were (much like entering and exiting the Catacombs!).

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent As Above, So Below on Amazon

What We Do In The Shadows

The Orchard

We all know vampires, right? They drink human blood, have lived for centuries, can’t go out in the sunlight, and can only be killed by a stake in the heart. But what about the modern day vampires living today that aren't Dracula and Lestat? What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary about three vampires living together in modern day Wellington, New Zealand, where they drain corpses and then argue about who’s turn it is to do the dishes. It’s the perfect combination of silliness and horror, that even centuries old vampires can’t escape the mundaneness of modern life, yet they try to preserve that royal elegance that only vampires can have. While also doing housework and dealing with werewolves, of course.

Very Special Link: Buy or Rent What We Do in the Shadows on Amazon

What We Do In the Shadows (TV Series)

FX Network

In case you loved the movie What We Do in the Shadows, you’ll probably love the American TV version of it! Set in modern day Staten Island, NY, we again have several vampires living together, including an energy vampire who gets their feed by draining people by being very mundane (I think we all know a Colin Robinson in our lives!), and one of the vampire’s human familiar, the ever put upon Guillermo. Just like the movie version, you’ll learn to love the new vampires, and may even recognize a few old familiar faces in a couple of the episodes! (Also, if they start making an actual version of doll Nadja, please let me know, because I want it. It’s so creepy that I need it in my life!)

Very Special Link: Buy the first season or individual episodes of What We Do in the Shadows on Amazon or stream it for free with your Hulu account

And those were my thirteen horror movies (plus one TV show!) for this spooky season aka Halloween aka October aka the best time of the year! I hope if you’re looking for a scary movie, you can find at least one that will fit your mood on my list! (Because I’ve seen a lot of horror movies, guys, and these are some of my favorites!) How many of them have you seen and which ones do you want to watch? And tell me what horror movies (or shows) you think I should watch! Maybe I’ll put them on my fifth edition of this next year! 

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The Hallotober Tag!

Photo by Sarah Gualtieri on Unsplash

October has finally arrived! The spookiest and most fun time of the year is here! (Yes, I know I’m a tad late to the Blogtober party. Not that I'm doing Blogtober, but still) While it may not be cooling off where I live as much as it is in other parts of the world, I still look forward to the spooky season! There’s just so much to love about this time of year: the cooler weather (well, sort of. See above), the fall aesthetic, the anticipation of the onslaught of less fun holidays (I’m looking at you, Thanksgiving and Christmas!), and of course, Halloween, and all that comes with it: the costumes, the candy, the decor, the scary movies! Ah, it’s just the perfect season, in my opinion! And yes, I started putting out my Halloween decorations on October 1st (not before!) and my house looks delightfully spooky! (See, I can show some restraint!)

I was so pleased to kick off this spooky Halloween season by being tagged for the Hallotober tag by Faeire Lifestyle, a lovely person who runs a wonderful lifestyle blog that is so good and so aesthetically pleasing, that you’ll wish your blog will look like that when it grows up (oop, or is that just me?). You can read her Hallotober tag here! Thank you so much for tagging me, FL! This tag is just perfect for me!

If you want to read about why I love Halloween so much, you can read this post I wrote about why I think Halloween is the best holiday ever here!

The Rules

• Thank the person who tagged you and link to their post
• Put the rules at the beginning or after introduction
• Answer the 13 questions
• Tag 13 people to do the tag
• Delete Question 13, add a new number one question of your own
• You are free to use the tag image somewhere in the post

The Questions:

1. What’s your favourite thing about October?
Definitely Halloween! I just love everything about it: the spookiness, the costumes, the candy, the decor. It’s just such a fun holiday, despite being based on something quite morbid and real.

2. Are you a big celebrator of Halloween?
If the answer to the first question wasn’t a big indicator, then I will say this: YES! Maybe not as much as I was when I was younger (I don’t really dress up anymore except for a Halloween party, plus I’m way too old to trick or treat), but now I love decorating for Halloween, making Halloween treats to share with friends and family, and of course, watching horror movies! (Which I do all year round, but right now it’s even more fun!)

3. What’s your favourite horror movie?
Ooh, don’t make me choose! I love so many of them! I think my favorite two (I know, you said pick one, but I just can’t!) has to be either The Exorcist or The Conjuring. I love ghosts and demons, and these movies each have them! (Well, The Exorcist has a demon and The Conjuring has a very bad ghost or two with a demon in a doll’s body thrown in). One is a horror classic and the other a modern horror classic! You can’t go wrong with either one!

4. Would you rather a cosy night in watching horrors or a big night out in a costume?
Most definitely a cozy night in watching horror movies! I’m more of a homebody and while costumes are super fun, sometimes they can get uncomfortable after a long night out. Plus, being scared is way more fun than partying! (I know, I’m weird!)

5. Which has been your most favourite costume to date?
Hmm… I’m not sure! I’ve always had homemade costumes, which I used to hate as a kid, because I used to think that store bought costumes were so much better and was always jealous of kids who got the “real” costumes. But in hindsight, it was actually pretty fun to put together costumes by borrowing or finding different pieces to make your own costumes. I remember making a black cat costume and a hippie costume (though my beaded necklace that I made fell apart when I was trick or treating. Oh well!). The memories! But I don’t think I have a favorite costume that I’ve worn.

6. Bobbing for apples or pin the hat on the witch?
I’ve only bobbed for apples once at a Halloween party, and it really is not as much fun as it’s portrayed. It’s hard to bite the apple, plus you get all wet and the idea of it now seems kind of gross. Pinning the hat on the witch is a lot more fun, since you get to be blindfolded and spun around and then giggle with all of your friends when you see where you’ve pinned the witch’s hat. (I mean, the winner isn’t the one who pins it on her head, it’s the one who pins it on her butt, let’s be real)

7. How do you celebrate Halloween?
Mostly by decorating, baking/making treats, and watching scary movies! And if kids come to the house, handing out candy! (Which may not happen this year, obviously, but we’ll see!)

8. What’s your least favourite horror?
Movie or scary movie genre? You’ll have to be more specific! Just kidding, I’ll answer both questions! I’ve seen a lot of disappointing horror movies, but I don’t know if I’d be able to pick out just one. It’s really hard for me actually to find a horror movie that’s my style and what I want to watch, so I’ve seen a lot of stinkers (in my opinion). But my least favorite horror movie genre is definitely slasher. I don’t do well with gore, and it just makes me sick, instead of scared. Which I guess some people like, but not me!

9. Do you have a favourite trick or treating memory?
Hmm. Not one exactly, because most of my trick or treating memories have all been fun that not one really a specific one has stuck out. I do love the memories of me after trick or treating, when I’m finally home, and I’ve spilled all my candy from my Halloween bucket on the table, and then I would get to sort through my loot and divide them up into categories, like favorites, least favorites, chocolates vs. candies, etc. (Plus the gross ones like Almond Joys or black licorice that I would always give to my dad or mom. I think it was part of their tax they charged for taking me treat or treating sometimes! I didn’t want them anyway, so it all worked out!)

10. What’s your favourite thing about Halloween?
I think I just like the spookiness of it all. It’s one of the only holidays where we celebrate something that isn’t necessarily happy or about love, but we have fun with it anyway. I think it’s a good reminder that as humans we have to acknowledge things that we fear, but it doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. Fear and death are all something we have to experience at some point in our lives, but that’s just it: it’s part of our lives, and that’s okay. Why not celebrate human emotion and accept the inevitable with costumes, candy, and a good time?

11. Scary costume or Silly costume?
As much as I admire people who dress up in scary costumes, I tend to like dressing up in silly costumes more. There’s nothing I like more than a pun related Halloween costume! I’ve always wanted to go as something cute like French Toast or a Cereal Killer.

12. What’s your favourite Halloween candy?
Oh my goodness, I love Halloween candy! Though more like I like regular candy, but in their Halloween form. Example: M&M’s, but in spooky orange, black, or green. Or Reese's peanut butter pumpkins! Everything just tastes better when it’s in a special Halloween shape or Halloween color. (I know, I’m biased because I love the holiday so much!) And do Halloween Oreos count as candy? Because the Halloween Oreos with the orange frosting and the fun Halloween images on the cookies are the best Oreos ever! (They taste so much better, I swear!)

13. Have you ever had any spooky experiences?
Sadly, I have not! I’ve always loved ghost stories, but I’ve never experienced anything spooky in my life! Which is probably why I watch so many ghost hunting shows and videos on YouTube of supposed ghosts caught on camera. But I’m hoping that one day I can go visit a few haunted locations, like hotels, or graveyards, or historical landmarks, and do some of my own ghost hunting! I know I should be terrified at the thought, but honestly, I’m more curious than scared and just want to experience something otherworldly for myself!

I Nominate:

Julie @ Dark Blue Journal
Camila @ Plaid and Sugar
Renata Leo @ Buffalo Sauce Everywhere
Anne @ Rooting Branches
Kim @ Chimmyville

(And to those I nominated, if you’ve already done this tag or you’re just not into tags on your blog, I totally get it, so no pressure! I just wanted to nominate you because I admire each and every one of you and your blogs! And to anyone reading this, please go check out these amazing people and their blogs. Read ‘em and subscribe, you won’t be disappointed!)

My Questions:

1. What’s your favourite thing about October?
2. Are you a big celebrator of Halloween?
3. What’s your favourite horror movie?
4. Would you rather a cosy night in watching horrors or a big night out in a costume?
5. Which has been your most favourite costume to date?
6. Bobbing for apples or pin the hat on the witch?
7. How do you celebrate Halloween?
8. What’s your least favourite horror?
9. Do you have a favourite trick or treating memory?
10. What’s your favourite thing about Halloween?
11. Scary costume or Silly costume?
12. What’s your favourite Halloween candy?
13. Candy corn: Do you love it or hate it?

This is the best way to kick off my Halloween/spooky posts for my blog for this October! (Yes, I will be posting more Halloween content this month, but I’m definitely not doing Blogtober, obviously. I don’t know how you bloggers do it! 31 days of pure October/Halloween blog posts?? Y’all are superstars!) This was such a fun tag to do, and it was right up my spooky Halloween loving heart’s alley. Okay, now I really want to go watch a scary movie and get into that holiday spirit! (No pun intended! OoOoOh!!! That was a ghost noise, obviously.)

Since you obviously can tell that I love Halloween/October, what do you think of the holiday/month? What’s your favorite thing about the holiday, or tradition that you do in the fall? And if you’re not a Halloween fan, I’d love to hear why! Also, if you've had a spooky experience, I’d love to hear about it!

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A Bookworm’s Whatever Is The Opposite of a Book Haul - My Minimalism Journey, Part 3

Photo by That Weird Girl Life

You may think that as a bookworm, that I’m also a book collector. And in the past that’s been true. But as I’ve been trying to be more minimalistic and less materialistic, I decided to take a look at an aspect of my life which I love and apply minimalism to it: books!

A Bookworm Waxes and Wanes About Their Love of Books

If you know anything about being a book lover, books are everything. Some people have switched to e-books or audiobooks, which is just fine (whatever keeps you reading! You do you, fellow bookworms!), but for me, there’s nothing like the feeling of opening up a book you’ve never read before, or smelling the pages of a brand new book, or even an old one (so musty and full of memories of the readers that have come before you and have turned those pages and discovered the story just like you are now!). Even seeing the spines of my books line my (multiple, but small) bookshelves brings me joy, knowing that stories I love or have yet to read are all there just waiting for me, to take me on adventures and stories well-known, or untold..

Have I convinced you that I’m an avid book reader yet? If so, then if that last paragraph didn’t convince you, I’m not sure anything will.

But moving on!

To Keep These Books Or Not (THAT Is The Question)

As a bookworm, you may be wondering why I want to start going through my books, to see what I want to keep and what I want to give away. And the answer is simply this: I’m running out of room.

I’m kidding! (But not really!) I really wanted to take that aspect of minimalism that by having less things, makes you appreciate them more, and apply that to my book collection. So I started asking myself those questions that one always asks when you’re thinking about getting rid of stuff (but this time applied it to books):

Is it a favorite book?

Am I ever going to reread it again? (Very important!)

Would I recommend it to someone else and let them borrow it? (But they better effing return it or else! I still remember every single person who hasn’t returned one of my books. Sigh. They know who they are!)

Am I keeping a book out of nostalgia (not because it was good) or because it was a gift (aka because I feel guilty about giving it away)?

My goal for asking all of these questions was to figure out: which books mean the most to me and which ones do I want to keep? And which ones can I say goodbye to?

(Also, please don't think that getting me rid of books makes me anti-book! I still love books, I just don’t want to be an endless collector of ones that I don’t love and don’t ever read. I’d hate to think that I’m keeping books that I don’t read that someone else could be reading and enjoying! Hence why I’m giving them away to people who will hopefully love them better than I do/did! Books are so wonderful you just gotta sometimes share them and give them a new home!)

Also, these questions led me to my favorite part of the decluttering process: going through my books and reading them (or rereading in some cases)!

You may remember that in my first declutter/minimalism journey post (which you can totally read here), I went through my DVD collection and watched a few of the movies I was unsure of, to see if I really wanted to keep them or not. I decided to do the same for some of the books I picked just to make sure I wasn’t giving away a book I really, really enjoyed and then wished I should have kept. In a lot of these cases, I’ve had these books for years and haven’t read them in years. And for most of the books, I’ve only read them once, at different points in my life, and decided that I liked them enough to keep them. But much like my movie collection, where I also bought movies at different points in my life, my tastes and and even life experiences have changed what I liked or what I related to. It was now time to go back through some of my old favorites to see if they were still favorites or if they were just book phases I was going through.

Photo by That Weird Girl Life

Deciding What I Want to Keep Vs. What I Want to Give Away, Featuring An Example Or Two

One great example of this is when I was first going through my books and my eyes stumbled upon Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler. I remember reading the book years ago and being so affected by it. At the time, I had gone through a couple of break-ups as a young adult, and being young and hurt, Min’s letter to Ed spoke so true to me at the time. It was both painful and eloquent, as only the words of a teenage girl’s can be (as written by the fantastic Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket). For some reason though, when I decided to reread it, I was positive I was going to give it away afterwards. Why? I just figured that my young, love-obsessed teenage self was over all the drama of teenage break-ups and wouldn’t be able to relate. I’m an adult now, after all.

I then went on to reread the book after years of just remembering bits and little parts from the book. But what surprised me the most is how emotional I felt while reading it. I may not be a lovestruck teen anymore, but I felt and remembered how hurt you can be from a first love, that “us against the world” vibe every teenage couple goes through, and how much I could still relate to how much a breakup can turn your world upside down and also how much you can learn from it too. So, surprisingly, I decided to keep it! Even though I may not be that young heartsick Emily that I was when I first read the book, it still had an impact on me when I read it, just a different one now that time has roughened me (I kid. Or do I? I swear my heart is slowly turning to stone).

Another example of the opposite kind is when I reread I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. I actually read this book way before The Book Thief was popular (I’m such a book hipster!), and I remembered loving it. I thought it was so deep and different. So when I saw it at a used bookstore, I took that opportunity to pick up a copy. And then didn’t read it for years! Obviously it was time for me to reread it and see how amazing it was.

And it was... okay. Not as great as I remembered. The book had a great sense of humor to it, and was thought-provoking and could be quite poignant at times, but the overall story and then the end completely depleted the story for me, and I left feeling more meh than inspired than I had before. Into the give away pile it goes! (Sorry, Markus!)

A Brief Soliloquy About How Magical I Find Books 

But it really makes me wonder about the power of books: how they can make such an amazing impression on us at one time, and may still years later, but they could also fall flat on a repeated reading. It’s like the magic of the written word only works at one time, or else the magic stays with that book and person forever. Maybe a new way to think about these books should be One Time Books, books that leave an impression on you the first time you read them, at the right exact time, but you can’t relate after you’ve gone through what you went through, and Forever Books, books you read at the perfect time, and still continue to cast a spell on you whenever you read it, no matter how many times you’ve read it. (Can we make this a thing? I feel like I’ve discovered something and that this theory needs to be shared!)

Photo by That Weird Girl Life

(Okay, Now Back to Business)

But now onto the books in my collection that I decided to give away! This is only my first sweep (I’m sure there will be many more! I have quite a few books in my collection), but it took me a little bit. I mean, reading books takes a bit more time than watching movies! Most of these books I reread and enjoyed, but decided that I didn’t need to own them. They just weren’t going to be ones I’m going to turn to again and again to read out of comfort or nostalgia or adventure. But I know that I can always reread them via the library, e-books, or even by borrowing them from a friend. But I am grateful to (most of) these books for the adventures, distractions, and good stories and characters that they entertained me with. (Though some of these books were kind of stinkers and I don’t thank them for being sort of time wasters. Ahem. To each their own and they just weren’t my taste. And I will be nice and not point out the titles of the books I didn’t like! I’m very benevolent that way. You’re welcome, authors!)

List of Books I’m Giving Away:

Winter Girls by Laurie Halse Anderson
I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
It Gets Worse by Shane Dawson
Sold by Patricia McCormick
The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Newt Scamander: A Movie Scrapbook by Rick Barba
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crime of Grindenwald Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
Planet Cat by Sandra Choron, Harry Choron, and Arden Moore
How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

Photo by That Weird Girl Life

And with that, I now have gotten rid of (or am going to get rid of) 17 books! I didn’t include a couple of advanced readers' copies that I received for free, since you’re not allowed to sell them (just donate!) and I need to find a good place to donate them where they won’t be sold. And who knows, maybe by the time this blog post is published, I’ll have added some more books to my “give away” pile!

For now, I have a solid start for going through my home library! I feel good knowing that I’m getting rid of books and that they’ll hopefully go to homes and owners where they’ll be loved and appreciated (as all books should be! I mean, not all books, but most books are good, with a few exceptions). And going through my books has also made me realize that in order to keep my collection nice and tidy and special, I need to stop my book impulse buying (as fun as it is!). A lot of the books I ended up giving away were the impulse buys I bought on a whim. Sometimes because the cover and description caught my eye, or maybe just because I was bored, had money to spend, and wanted something to read. Now, if I want to read a new book, I can always get it from the library (it’s free, baby!) or borrow it from someone else. And if I end up loving the book and feel like I can’t live without it until it’s in my personal library, then I can buy it! Plus, it’ll save me money and keep those times when I buy books special and a great moment when I can add a new book to my collection. I get so happy just thinking about it! Wheee!

My Tips For Decluttering Your Book Collection:

1. Decide what books you want to keep by thinking about why you want to keep them. Also, are you ever going to read them again? (The answer should be yes!) Or are they just taking up space and collecting dust? Decide what you want your library to be like (aka filled with books you love and want to read) and then start decluttering!
2. It’s okay to reread a book if you’re unsure about keeping or getting rid of it. I actually highly recommend it! Your opinion of it may have changed, good or bad, so it’s good to be reminded of the story, the characters, and the writing. You never know, a book you thought was so-so could be much better than you remembered! Or it could be just the opposite and you need to say bye-bye to a book you once thought was awesome but now just falls flat.
3. Think about what you want to do with the books you don’t want anymore so they don’t pile up and gather dust (again). Consider all the options: donation (thrift stores, charities, your local library, schools, prisons), selling or trading them (online or at your local used bookstore), or even just giving them away to a friend or family member who’s going through a reading slump! A certain book may not be for you, but it could be the perfect book for someone else! (But remind your friend that if they don’t want to keep the books, to pass them along or donate them once they’re done!)
4. Just because you decluttered your books once doesn’t mean that this is the last and only time you’re going to go through your books! You will most likely go through them several times over the course of your life, because if you’re a bookworm like myself, you’re probably going to acquire lots of books over your lifetime (from gifts, impulse buys, and when you buy a book you think you love but then you change your mind. It happens, trust me, I understand). So don’t be afraid to go through your books every once in a while and give your bookcase(s) a spring cleaning/decluttering!
5. Beware of impulse buying! Try borrowing books from the library or a friend before you decide to buy a book. Knowing that you love the book and that you want to read it again before you buy it will definitely help keep your collection from getting too cluttered and filled with books you don’t really care for or will ever read again.

Photo by That Weird Girl Life

And this was my first foray into the world of decluttering my book collection! (Well, not really, but the first time I’ve documented it) Trust me, I still have a lot of books in my library (I know that 17 books doesn’t seem like a lot to give away considering how many books that I have left, but it’s still impressive to me!), but now I know that a lot of these books that I have left are still special to me and that I’ll still want to read them again in the future (or let others borrow them. Again, they better give them back! I forgive, but I never forget!). I can’t wait to do another decluttering book rereading session in the future. Basically, it’s just another excuse for me to read, and I’m not mad about that!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever gone through your own library collection and how it went! What books did you give away and why? Did you reread any of the books to determine which ones you wanted to keep? Also, what tips would you give others who wanted to declutter their book collections? Let me know in the comments and what you thought of my post! (Aka my ramblings!)

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My First Attempt (of Probably Many) at Trying to Declutter My Closet! - My Minimalism Journey, Part 2

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

There’s something I need to tell you. I’m ashamed to admit it, but here it is:

My room usually is clean.

*whispers* But it’s really not.

The fact is, I like everything to look tidy, but when you actually open up all of my dresser drawers and closets, that's where the mess is.

And boy, is it a tornado of papers, trinkets, tchotchkes, jewelry, old electronics, pens, notebooks, and so many other random things that I don’t know what to do with!

And my closet is the worst of all. Actually, let me correct myself. I have two closets. One for my clothes that’s in the hallway (don’t ask, it’s a long story) and another that is in my room where I store all of my, erm, “treasures” that I hope to use one day. (But I haven’t. Even though I keep saying that I’m going to. I’m like Ariel with all of her human stuff. I have sooo many snarfblats and dinglehoppers!) And they are both horrible black holes when it comes to clutter. Everything I want to hide to make my room look “clean,” I put it all in there. And then promptly (and conveniently) forget about it. Which is very bad and all of these mole hills have suddenly made my closets the Mount Everest of decluttering jobs!

So as you can imagine, trying to tackle my closet(s) is probably the one adventure in my minimalism journey that I was looking forward to the least. But I decided to start to tackle it anyway. Maybe not all in one fell swoop, because I am only one person and I feel like doing this all at once would even make Marie Kondo question her existence and her love of tidying up (I feel like my closets could do that to a person).

Have you read my first post about my first attempt at decluttering? If not, you can read it here! 

Let’s Do This! (Or At Least, Start To)

Here’s what went down. I had already somewhat gone through my clothes (not just in my closet, but in my dresser, as well), because I noticed that some of my most frequently used pieces were um, let’s just say it: falling apart (or had holes where there weren’t supposed to be holes). But then I also noticed when I was going through my hall closet that many moons ago, I had previously gone through my old shirts and had bagged them up to give away! But guess where those bags were: on my closet floor! I mean well.

After I took out my bags of clothes to give away (some that are still wearable to the thrift store, and the ones that were, um falling apart and full of holes, hopefully someplace where they can recycle clothes. I’ll have to look into it!) I started on the arduous journey of going through my closets, both the hallway one (full of clothes and random things) and the one in my bedroom (full of trinkets and doo-dads and god knows what else). Here’s what I found in both:

Things I Found In My Closet(s) and Am Getting Rid Of:

Three dresses. Two of which I wore to weddings, and one that I bought as an impulse buy and never wore. (The peach one with all the little cherries on it!) Also, I'm not much of a dress girl, so I have two that I've saved for special occasions and that should be enough for me now!

Two poster frames and one poster. I decided to give away one of my posters still in the frame, since I think the art print is just lovely and that someone might like it. The other frame had a giant poster of Atonement in it, which you might know is my favorite romantic movie of all time, and I have decided to keep that poster for now. You never know, I could get it professionally framed one day! (Also, the poster can’t be recycled, FYI)

Seven shirts to donate to a thrift store and three old shirts, one pair of pajama pants, an old pair of ripped (like old ripped, not purposely ripped) jeans, and tons of old bras (like warped and not my size anymore. Isn’t it weird that boob size fluctuates? The miracles of womanhood!) that I hope I can donate to a clothing recycling center.

Three decorative metal baskets. All in different sizes and all bought with good intentions but never used, sadly. I just don’t have the room, or really, any idea what to store in them!

An old iPad mini that died plus the new case with keyboard I bought for it just before it died *sob* So I will have to find the time to go to the Apple store so they can recycle my iPad and then I can donate the case. I really, really liked that case, you guys...

Multiple necklaces (including a Ravenclaw clock necklace with a broken chain that maybe some Harry Potter fan can fix or make it there own in some fun DIY way), a bracelet, a keychain, rings, and so other odd little trinkets! (Though I did decide to keep a headband and give it to my niece and I also found a small feather charm and decided to add that in there instead.)

A worn stuffed animal of the Fruit Cockatiel from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. That movie was full of puns, but I really didn’t appreciate that stuffed animal as much as I did it’s punny name. (It’s a bird made out of fruit! A fruit cockatiel! I can’t!)

In case you were wondering, this is what a Fruit Cockatiel from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 looks like. I just had one in stuffed animal form!

Old Halloween decor that I don’t display anymore. I will store it with my other Halloween decor until I can donate it closer to Halloween.

Old antique drawings someone gave me. Very pretty, but I will probably never display them, but hopefully someone else can give them a happy home!

A Pop Funko figure of Annabelle. You all know that I love me some horror movies and The Conjuring is one of my favorite horror movies ever, and I loved my Annabelle figurine when I first got her, but I’ve sort of lost my love of Pop Funkos, so I think it’s time to say goodbye to Miss Annabelle. Besides, I’d rather have the actual replica of her anyway! (Yes, I know, I have issues...)

A few old CDs I don’t listen to anymore. Besides, who even listens to CDs anymore? My parents. That’s who!

A book light for reading that I never really used. I mean, I can just turn on my bedside table, right? 

A whole big cardboard pack of Zevia Cream Soda that someone forced upon me and I was too shy to say no thank you (it has literally been sitting in my closet since last December). I am literally too nice aka a pushover. At least I can recycle the box and the (empty) cans!

An old season of Paranormal State that no one will take because it has one disc missing. Le sigh. If I had just found that one missing disc I could have traded it in at a used bookstore for credit! *shakes fist*

A random fake egg. I know. Um, why?

Things I Found In My Closet(s) and Want to Keep and Use:

A voodoo cookie cutter. I can’t believe I forgot about this when I could have been using it this whole time to make cookies of my enemies and then eating them to punish them without them knowing it! I feel so silly!

Two framed pictures that I want to hang up in my room. One is from my aunt who has passed, so seeing that image always reminds me of her (though it is of a harlequin clown and I have to say, my aunt never looked like one of them, thank god. I mean, my family is weird, but we’re not “let’s dress up as French clowns” weird)

A cute plastic plate I bought in Paris for a present for someone, but ended up keeping it myself because I thought it was adorable. I will definitely be using this as a full grown adult!

Cute jewel colored drinking cups I had stored away. I helped out at an estate sale and these were up for grabs, so I just had to get them! And like the plate, I’ll be using them! They’re too pretty not to use!

An old jewelry holder I made years ago when I was feeling artsy. Is it the best thing I’ve ever made? No. But did I paint it and add decorative knobs to it to hang my jewelry from? Yes. And does it technically work and looks somewhat okay? Heck yes! Why didn’t I hang this up before?? My necklaces are currently just hanging on a plastic hanger in my bedroom closet. They deserve better!

A decorative hanger shaped like a door knob I need to actually hang up and use. (Should I hang my purse on it? Jewelry? Reusable bags? Face masks? The possibilities are endless!)

Lots of reusable tote bags that I have now gotten off my closet floor and have hung up all nice and tidy for easy access and use. (I guess I got a bit of that organization in along with the decluttering!)

A cute purse shaped like a book but the strap has fallen away that I’m hoping to repair and then use again! Though I am not a very handy or crafty person, so I will most likely need help repairing it. (My dad is handy and my mom is crafty, and I guess by having me, those things cancelled each other out. They must be so proud).

Something I’m Not Sure If I Want to Keep or Not:

This cute accent shelf. I bought it because I thought it was vintage-looking, but now I wonder if it’s a bit too much and colorful and not really me. So I’m going to sleep on it and decide another time. Hmm. What do you guys think? Yay or nay? (Maybe that fact that I'm questioning whether I want to keep it or not should be the answer to my question!)

The Results of This First Sweep of My Black Holes- I Mean, My Closet(s):

Now, I really wish I could give you a before and after shot of my closets, but again, this is just my first attempt at cleaning them. If you saw both pictures, you would probably still wonder which one was the before and which one was the after. I’m going to have to go in for another sweep and then hopefully once I’m done gutting it, I can go on to organizing it!

But in all honesty, it really wasn’t too bad going through my closets. I think it was because I knew I didn’t have to clean out both in one day, and that I was breaking it up into small chunks, which made the process a lot more palatable and fun. I was able to look at the items, determine if I really wanted them or if I was going to use them in the future, and then either put them in a pile to give way or put them in a pile to keep (or you know, that one pile where you have to think about whether or not you want to keep the items or not). Plus, the walk down memory lane and all the head shaking over what I was finding was pretty amusing!

It really made me realize that I had a lot of things in my closet(s) that I had bought with good intentions to use, but never did. Maybe I was waiting for the right time, or when I finally moved out, but it actually made me think, “why am I waiting? Why can’t I use it now?” I guess I was just waiting for the right moment or time to use what I had collected, but what’s the point of having it if I’m never going to use it or display it? And when is the “right” time? Why can’t it be now? I may not be exactly where I want to be in life, but it doesn’t mean I have to live in limbo! So I’ve decided that now is the best time, and the things I’m going to keep are going to be put out on display, either on shelves or (finally) hung up on my wall, and what will stay in my closet will only be seasonal or storage-like things.

I mean, that sounds pretty reasonable, doesn’t it? I like to think so.

My Tips For Going Through Your Closet(s) And Getting Rid of Things:

1. If you’re going through a certain large area (like, your closet) and you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to focus on just one area, say, your clothes, or trinkets. You’ll feel less stressed and you’ll be able to zero in on what you want to find and declutter.
2. Have bags or boxes ready to put clothes, trinkets, or whatever else you may find ready once you start decluttering. Then make sure that you know which bags or boxes have what in them and where you want to donate or give them away to! So either label your bags/boxes or keep them in different sections so you don’t get confused (like a section for giving things aways, or a section for things to donate, or even a section for “I-still-don’t-know-if-I-want-to-give-this-away-yet-so-I’m-going-to-sleep-on-it-pile”)
3. Don’t think that you have to donate everything you’re getting rid of! If you think a friend or a family member might want an article of clothing or something else you’re giving away, ask them, send them a picture, and offer it to them. You never know what a friend might be in need of! (But don’t force them to take it! Tell them to be honest with you and if they don’t want it and no one else you know does, go ahead and donate it! Trust me, there’s someone out there who will make use of what you give away; you just don’t know them personally!)
4. Look into where to donate certain items. There are tons of places that you can donate clothes and other things, so be sure to have a place (or places) in mind when you’re decluttering. Clothes and household goods can go to thrift stores or charities, very old clothes in bad shape can be recycled (look into places where you can do that in your area!), CDs, DVDs,video games, and books can often be traded in or bought at (extra cash for you!) used book or game stores, and so on. You can even try your hand at selling clothes, jewelry, and other things online on Ebay, ThredUp, Etsy, or at clothing retail exchanges!
5. And be sure to remember to look into whether certain items can be recycled or not (as a lot of things like DVDs and DVD cases can’t or glossy posters) to reduce what you throw in the trash (and what ends up in landfills!).

I know this definitely probably wasn’t the amazing transformation that you and I were expecting, but I’m so happy with the progress that I made! Though I have to admit, because of all of my closet decluttering, everything that was once in my closet, is now in my room and my room is a hot mess. That’s something that they don’t tell you when you’re trying to go minimal: it’s going to get more cluttered before it gets less cluttered. So watch out for that! (Maybe make that tip #6?)

That was my first attempt at cleaning out my closets! Was it a success? I’d say so! Do I have a lot more to do? Oh yes! There were certain things that I wasn’t able (or well, lost the energy) to do, like going through my Harry Potter Funko collection, plus some storage boxes I have filled with other small knick-knacks, memories, and trinkets. So keep a look out for future blog posts about what other crazy things I’ll find in not just my closets, but my actual room too. (Where does this stuff even come from?? I know a lot of these were impulse buys, but seriously, what was I thinking? Ah, well. One man’s trash and what not!)

What did you think of my adventures of decluttering my closets? Were you amazed at what I found? (And frankly, what I had kept in my closet for so long?) Have you ever decluttered and gone through your closets? What was the strangest thing you found? And also, if you have tips for decluttering and minimalism in general, let me know in the comments!

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