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Welcome to our first challenge! This is going to feel so good!
Today we’re going to start by simplifying the space we live in. Over the 21 days we’ll return to our space again and again, but today we’re going a make a start.
Choose Option 1 for the quick and easy version or Option 2 if you want to go deeper.
Ready? Let’s do it!
Here’s today’s Simplify Your Life Challenge…
Option 1 (10-15 Minutes)
Step 1.
Go find yourself a large bag or box or several small bags or receptacle(s) of any kind. Anything!
Step 2.
Move through your living areas and collect things to put into your bag that are:
- Broken
- Ugly
- Tatty
- Gross
- Ancient
- No longer your taste or style
- Doubles of things you already have
- Not used in the past year
- Associated with bad memories
- Covered in dust
- Unloved
- Associated with abandoned projects or hobbies.
Look out for:
- Magazines older than last month
- Newspapers older than today
- Deceased plants
- Knickknacks
- Unloved gifts
- Outgrown toys, DVDs, books, and games
- Abandoned sports or exercise equipment
- Stuff that’s left in the living area because no one really cares about it
- Displayed photos or other items that hold no meaning for you
- Decrepit cushions, rugs, throws
- Old games consoles, media players, entertainment devices
- Videos, cassettes, computer floppies, camera film – any storage device for which you no longer have hardware.
Step 3.
Set a phone or oven timer for 10 or 15 minutes. Don’t stop gathering until the timer goes off.
Step 4.
If you feel like sorting things to donate from things to toss, then go ahead. But if you’re drowning in chaos then give yourself permission to just get the stuff out of your house, and do better next time.
Option 2 (Extended)
Complete Option 1 but keep going until you have at least 50-100 items.
This is easier than you think. The average home has hundreds of these items cluttering up the living areas.
Get your family to join in if you like.
Take a Pic
Take a picture of your pile of things to discard.
Post your pic to Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter using hashtag #21DaySimplify. Search this hashtag to see other people’s pics.
Rules
Rule#1: Don’t Over-Think
We are simplifying. If you find yourself trying to complicate this, then b-r-e-a-t-h-e and relax.
Rule #2: Move Quickly.
You can’t over-think or be a perfectionist if you stay in action mode. Keep moving.
Rule #3: Let It Go.
You cannot simplify if you’re determined to keep everything, hold on to every habit, and fight every change. Let. It. Go.
Check In
So, how was Day #1?
Please leave a comment to stay accountable and to let me know how today’s challenge was for you.
I forgot to take a picture before throwing out the garbage bag of JUNK I rid my home from. So I took a pic of the bag in the garbage. There were 30 things I ditched!!.
I need to get the free upgrade because my info says you’ve moved everything to a different site. I just don’t see the address for the different site. Could you please send it to me?
Having gone down one dress size, I finally donated of my “just in case” clothes. I actually like my smallest wardrobe ever. It feels simple and amazing.
The following are our group recommendations:
Clutter is a disorganized home life. Our goal is to create an organized home life.
Do not keep medication in your bathroom due to the steam which can alter the medication.
Broken = recycle or donate to a local nonprofit art class
Ugly = trash especially free items handed out
Tatty = cloth cut up for rags or cut in squares to make quilts
Gross = mildewed or unsanitary = trash
Ancient = donate to charity
No longer your taste or style = donate to charity if in good condition
Doubles of things you already have = keep one hard copy and other on disc/USB then trash 2nd copy
Not used in the past year = place in box with date. Not used next year trash or donate.
Associated with bad memories = photos with bad memories trash.
Heirloom photos keep or pass on to other relatives
Covered in dust = dust it off/clean then decide keep or donate
Unloved = toxic people [friend or relative] have no contact
Associated with abandoned projects or hobbies. = organize and them and in wintertime complete the projects
Look out for:
Magazines older than last month = donate to nursing home or library. Magazines you keep place in metal cabinet because paper is a fire hazard
Newspapers older than today = keep one week then trash or article to keep in scrapbook, copy onto disc/USB
Deceased plants = compost and keep the pots that are in good condition to reuse
Knickknacks = place in box and donate
Unloved gifts = post it note on it who gave to you and re-gift it to someone else. White Elephant bingo: wrap the gift
Outgrown toys, DVDs, books, and games = donate or if it pertains to high school reunions give the items to the high school alumni association: they display each year for each graduation
Abandoned sports or exercise equipment = donate to after school programs
Stuff that’s left in the living area because no one really cares about it = put items in box charge people to get their belongings back. It would be a monthly fee.
Displayed photos or other items that hold no meaning for you = put on disc or USB pass heirloom photos to your children or relatives
Decrepit cushions, rugs, throws = use for pets
Old games consoles, media players, entertainment devices = recycle or donate
Videos, cassettes, computer floppies, camera film – any storage device for which you no longer have hardware: donate to your local library or local school/college
This is such a big thing, it will have to be an ongoing thing at my house. I cannot do it all at once.
Entire binbag just filled with absolute rubbish. Being absolutely brutal of the things getting chucked. Sick of living in clutter!
Old clothes thrown out, holiday items to donate and old towels and sheets for their dogs….car getting full, will take tomorrow
I am late to the party, but I am working through the days now. I have cleared at least 50 things to the trash or identified that they need to be given away.
I got rid of 200 items. Starting this program over