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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 have been de-cluttering 15-30mins a day for a few months now. Ever since I did your 14-days-to-an-organised-wardrobe program. This has become part of my daily routine now. And it really feels great to de-clutter. We have accumulated so much stuff, stuff, stuff and don’t use so much of it. It feels amazing to have areas that are clean, organised and only filled with things that we need, use and love. Even my head seems to be simplified just by getting rid of stuff. I still need to keep going (probably til the end of the year) as there are more things do get done but I can only handle about up to 30mins at a time. Otherwise I find I get too exhausted emotionally with the whole letting go process. Looking forward to the next task.
You’ve made such awesome progress Vesna! I love that this is a habit for you now. 🙂
Been working on this all morning. Husband already took my bag out to the trash so I have no picture to post.
Finally got the changing table out of the living room. My youngest is 3 and when I took it out of her room I didn’t know what to do with it so I put it in the living room to store DVDs! Not my best idea, but it was so darn big and I didn’t have room in the garage. Took it apart (Duh!) and it is now in the garage. Area cleaned and decluttered. I feel like this challenge is the best Mothers Day gift I can give myself!
LOVE it Erika! Removing that table from your living room is like a symbol of the changes that are coming. You’re freeing yourself.
I thought I was in trouble. 10 minutes in and I could not find one thing I wanted to get rid of and my house has waaaay too much stuff. But something kicked in those last 5 minutes and the kids and I were all filling my bag. When the timer went off I set it for another 15. I considered going for 50 thngs, but was afraid if I got things back out to count them, I’d keep something. What I need to know are things like – how many purses do you need. I’d like to simplify, but what is simple? 1? 3? is 10 put away nicely simple? BTW I don’t have 10, I’m just sayin’…
I thought I was in trouble. 10 minutes in and I could not find one thing I wanted to get rid of and my house has waaaay too much stuff. But something kicked in those last 5 minutes and the kids and I were all filling my bag. When the timer went off I set it for another 15. I considered going for 50 thngs, but was afraid if I got things back out to count them, I’d keep something. What I need to know are things like – how many purses do you need. I’d like to simplify, but what is simple? 1? 3? is 10 put away nicely simple? BTW I don’t have 10, I’m just sayin’…
The short answer is you can have as many of anything as you can fit neatly and tidily in the available space. Enough space for 4 handbags? Then that’s how many you choose to have because you value the feeling of calm and order it brings. Let that be your guide and you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Greetings from Germany. I just sent out my husband for his night shift and will start now with option 1. But I am quite sure there is potential for option 2 as well. Many thanks Michele and lot of success to all of you!
Trust yourself and do as much or as little as feels good Daniela. 🙂
I had done some of this work a weekend or two ago, but dug into my table linens – so many old/gifted items in there that are not my taste or just tatty and old. Thank yoU!
Feels great to let it go, Andrea. 🙂
I joined, but can’t remember my password and my e-mail is down! Is there any way to recover my password without having it sent to my e-mail address on file?
Password recovery is automatically done through email Lora. You’ll need access to your email.
OK–I will catch up once my email is working again.
traveling today… will start Monday!
Day one completed! Well, sort of. I got to 15 minutes but not 50-100 items. I wanted to continue but it’s getting too late here. Bed time! Feeling inspired for tomorrow though. 🙂
Great start Mare!
Great start Mare!
I’ve been working on this to get ready for a neighborhood yard sale in 2 weeks. The difficult part is other family members who absolutely will not let go of stuff. A separate basket for them is useless….I need half of a garage. 🙁
I’ve been working on this to get ready for a neighborhood yard sale in 2 weeks. The difficult part is other family members who absolutely will not let go of stuff. A separate basket for them is useless….I need half of a garage. 🙁
That is difficult Elizabeth! We’ll talk about OPS (Other People’s Stuff) on a later day.
You need to add to your ‘look out for’ list: “Artworks” you’ve pulled out of kids’ school bags and not quite figured out what to do with, so are currently invading every flat surface of your home (and probably a few vertical ones too!)
You need to add to your ‘look out for’ list: “Artworks” you’ve pulled out of kids’ school bags and not quite figured out what to do with, so are currently invading every flat surface of your home (and probably a few vertical ones too!)
LOL that’s a good one Sharon! One idea is to use Memory Boxes as a space-limited way to keep kids’ masterpieces. Curated regularly. 🙂
http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2013/03/memory-box-how-to-organize-mementos-and-keepsakes/
I like to take pictures of all of the artwork before it magically disappears. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you could make a digital photo album over time.
I like to take pictures of all of the artwork before it magically disappears. If you’re feeling super adventurous, you could make a digital photo album over time.
I’ve done photos, memory boxes and folders for artwork and handwork that my children and neighbor children have given me to “keep forever and ever”. “Curating regularly” is a challenge when the giver puts strings on it. (they start early, don’t they?)
Brenda Monroe, I find curating artwork regularly a challenge too. I’ve started taking pics of said artwork with the child (usually with their smile plastered firmly from ear to ear). Their beaming faces are priceless, just like their artwork, of course! 🙂 Kylie ~ Community Manager
Brenda Monroe I think they mean ‘forever and ever’ in your heart.
I need to do that with my own art projects.
having trouble logging in to get to “declutter 1”.
Excited to get started on this today! Thanks!
I’ve been working on this for a few weeks already as I am participating in a consignment sale next week so my main living areas are clutter free already. I went deeper this time round though as I headed up to the attic storage in the garage, amazing what I had hiding up there.
I’ve been doing this as well. I took several bags to Goodwill this week. But I will continue. I think I am going to love this challenge! thank you.
I think so too, Rita! 🙂
But what if it belongs to another family member
Maybe toss it in another basket for them to catch up with later?
Melissa we’ll talk about OPS (Other People’s Stuff) on a later day.
Just did this in my bedroom prior to reading this. I sorted stuff and got rid of lots. Just checked in here to see what the challenge was. I am going to tackle my spare room/craft room now as it feels so good getting rid of the junk.