Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!
In today’s 5 minutes we’re going to declutter by finding at least 12 things to give away.
Don’t worry – it’ll be easier than you think!
Day 27: Declutter By Donating A Dozen
Step 1: Grab a bag. Quickly fill the bag as you move through your home – and don’t stop until you have at least 12 items.
Throw into the bag anything that:
- You don’t use
- You don’t like
- Has negative associations
- Is no longer your style
- Keeps you stuck in the past
- Is more than you need to feel good about your space.
Ideas for Items To Donate
Living Room
- Unloved rugs, throws and cushions
- Unloved ornaments, gifts, vases, etc
- Knickknacks that don’t enhance your space
- Extra pieces of furniture
- Unloved lamps
- No-longer used entertainment devices – TVs, DVD players, stereos, etc
- No-longer-played DVDs and CDs
Study
- Excess stationery, notebooks, pens, etc
- Knickknacks that provide no meaning, beauty or inspiration
- Functioning phones, computers, cells, PDAs, etc that you don’t need
- Supplies, storage containers and accoutrements relating to abandoned craft, knitting, scrapbooking, and other projects
- Old lamps and equipment in good condition
Closet
- Anything (clothes, footwear, coats, purses, accessories, etc) you’ve not worn in a year
- Anything that doesn’t fit
- Anything that’s not your style
- Anything that’s unflattering on you
- Anything that’s uncomfortable, scratchy or ill-fitting (it may be perfect on someone else)
- Anything you bought ages ago that still has the label on it
- Anything with negative memories or associations
Kitchen/Dining
- Mismatched or unloved crockery
- Mismatched or unloved cutlery
- Cookware, plungers, teapots, gadgets, and sundry infomercial purchases not used in the past 12 months
- Cookbooks not used in the past 12 months
- Knickknacks you don’t love
- Fancy appliances you never use
- Doubles of utensils, cookware, etc
Bathroom
- Excess, unused towels, bathmats, etc
- Excess, unopened perfumes, lotions, etc
- Unloved bathroom ornaments
- Storage gizmos that encourage clutter
Kids’ Stuff
- No-longer-used toys
- No-longer-used games consoles
- Outgrown clothes
- Outgrown CDs, DVDs, etc
- Outgrown back-packs
Garden
- Unloved garden ornaments
Step 2: Take your bag straight out to the car for charity-store drop-off.
And you’re done!
Got an Extra 5 Minutes?
- Find another 12 or more items for donation.
- Set up a donation box or basket: Place it in a hall closet or the laundry (somewhere tidy that will still be a visual prompt), and use it any time you notice something unused or unloved in your home, wardrobe, car or office.
Now you’re a power donator!
The 30-Day Organize-athon Mantra
Move fast. Don’t overthink. Let it go!
Got a Question?
If you have questions about any of the 30-Day Organize-athon tasks, or the 30-Day Organize-athon program in general, please ask your question on this Q&A post or on this Facebook post.
I’ll put together a special Q&A post and answer the questions for you.
Leave Your Comment Below…
Please leave your comment below to say you’ve completed today’s task.
See you tomorrow!
[Image by aussiegall]
I’ve gotten rid of so much stuff lately, this was harder than I expected! But I was able to cull out twelve things from books, clothes/purses, and equipment.
Done!
Ugly maternity wear begone! (I don’t think I’m going to have more kids, but I’ve kept a couple of favourites, just in case!)
My grandson went through his toys at my house and gave away things that he does not play with, using the thought that other children may love them as much as he has done. I am very proud of him as he was not precious. He just put them into piles of keep, give away, or broken. Then he put his keep stuff back into the see through crates in which they belonged. ie cars, lego, outside things, animals, etc. and helped me put the give aways into my car.
I have the same feelings as Marjon, but the list is a brilliant prompt–helping me overcome feeling overwhelmed by “where do I start?” Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I did a baker’s dozen. Many dozens more to gather…
Not done yet – I’m overwhelmed by having to make choices between toss, sell and donate. Why is this so had for me? I’ll keep working on it.
Done went through summer clothes and donated e every thing that was old or tight. : )
Goodwill, here I come (again!)
Done – think we could do this every day for a week in our house and still find stuff to donate…oh well, today was a start.
Oh so very easily done…which is a condemnation of my own self, really. I live amongst so much clutter and excess- I feel as if I am drowning in the chaos created by the clutter in my life right now. It literally took me only “moments” to quickly collect a multitude of items for giveaway. Occasions such as this allow me to see exactly how much of my clutter I can rid myself of…and with only a minimal investment of time….and I wonder why I continue to let myself view this problem as “insurmountable”. This mission was a good one for really opening my eyes to the power of using a few minutes a day, consistently, in order to overcome something that appears to be overwhelming.
done to a minimum… will do more later when I get past a view and funerals…. thanks
Mostly books I can take to the Senior Center and some CDs/DVDs/tapes that I will bring to the library and see if they want them.
I need to keep repeating this one, but I am done for now!
On my way to drop off tomorrow (PLEASE let me remember to put the stuff in the car in the morning!!)
Just signed up for the Organize in 5. Couldn’t stand the thoughts of this being over, and me slumping back into my old ways of overwhelm. Thank you!!
I already have a basket in my closet for anything that should leave the house, and it is half full, but I did not cheat: I found a dozen more things!
Done & done! Can’t believe we’re so close to the end already 🙁
Done!
done
Wow…. I kept looking for items even tho they were right under my nose. I will post a pic of my two big items as well as the bag of goodies. I am thinking a garage sale will be in order here and then donate the rest. 🙂 Thanks!! 🙂
Finished.