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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.
Behind in my posting but I finally got rid of 3 bags of old clothing to donate. Also old baby toys 🙂
Yay Lorraine!
Catching up after a hectic few days. We hosted Mothers Day brunch, so it was a perfect time to declutter, purge, etc. Done.
Got a bag filled up! Could do lots more but need to do a bit of catching up first. 🙂
I so want to do this but do not have $29 was wondering if you can get this free. Also I would like to start when the kids are done school. There last day is May 31
The special $2 offer is now closed, sorry Rachel. Hope you can join us in our next challenge. 🙂 Kylie ~ Community Manager
Started with my bedroom and found a whole carrier bag of rubbish to throw away. Plan to try and keep going 15 minutes at a time on a regular basis.
Good plan Fritzy!
Kylie ~ Community Manager
I am having trouble with this! I have picked up trash and things that belong in other rooms, and left only things I love, and there is still too much.
Sounds frustratingly familiar.
I agree Donna, it’s not an easy task when you are attached to belongings. Try not to over think it. Kylie ~ Community Manager
Look out for Day #6 Donna. 🙂
The 15-minute project gave me the incentive to finally clean out the clutter on the first floor of my home which is an open floor plan. I have piles of newspapers, magazines and other trash out on the curb waiting for the trash and recycling trucks to come by. They are going to be amazed at how much I have placed there which includes six month worth of wine bottles and plastic milk jugs. My dog is loving the extra space she has to walk around, and I no longer will have to keep visitors out on the front porch. 😉
🙂
This was a little tough for me, as we recently moved from a house that is hopelessly overscaled for human use to a more normal sized manageable house. Prior to that move we eliminated most everything from our living areas and common areas – bathrooms (drawers, make up bags, cupboards, linen closets, closets) and kitchens (drawers, cupboards and cabinets) were a whole other story. I spent my time doing challenge #2 and The Salvation Army was very happy for that. No pics though, as it was more like boxes and bags of stuff. We also got rid of a lot of extreme cold weather clothes and extreme cold weather pet clothes since we no longer live in that environment.
Nice one Rachel – sounds like you’ve gotten rid of things that no longer suit your ‘new’ life.
I spread this over a day and a half actually, had so much to get out of here after son moving out. Thanks for the kick in the seat!
Great job Katrina!
Done! It took longer than I’d hoped – I realized that I tend to organize my clutter and pile the things I actually need/use. So the messy things aren’t things I want to get rid of, but there’s no where to put them because the clutter is all put “away”!
LOL Jen – all the more reason to get that clutter out of your house!!
Hee hee yesterday was hubby day so I’m working on this today!
I worked on my basement and have taken out at least 3 truck loads to Goodwill. Thanks a bunch!!
*Wow* That’s fantastic Amy! Great job. Kylie ~ Community Manager
Thank goodness we started out easy! 🙂
It’s not easy for everyone, Heather! Super happy you enjoyed the first day. 🙂 Kylie ~ Community Manager
I’m writing this entry a day late (not b/c I’m a procrastinator, but b/c I failed to hit “send”). Because I needed to ready our living room for today’s family gathering, I started there. I removed a little trash (unread mail from yesterday), dead-headed flowers, and dusted/vacuumed. Long ago, I realized that dust is clutter to me. I also realized we have duplicates of dog toys and throw pillows, (gone now), the stacks of reading materials were too high (temporarily moved), and I have a lamp that needs a new shade. First layer of de-cluttering done. Second layer (reading material, lamp) to be dealt with early in the week (after the company goes, but before the next event occurs!). I’m excited about this project.
Sounds like you’ve made a great beginning Brenda! Yay you!
Having just organized my home office/scrap space last month, I really couldn’t find much to toss. I did find three old hoodies in my closet that went into the Goodwill bin. I’ll be waiting for the OPS day because that’s what most of the clutter is!
I know what you mean Cheri!
I’ve waited 3years to see the floor of my backroom, a.k.a. Storage room
Nice job Valerie!
Not bad
4 bags gooooone!
Yaaaay! ~ Kylie, Community Manager
I tossed a bunch of newspaper clippings and old magazines that I realized I don’t care about anymore. I only had 10 mins but I will do a part 2 to this. Thanks, Michelle.
Nice start Ellen.
Thanks. And I did go back for part 2. Will continue until I declutter all those mags that i have no need for.
Thanks. And I did go back for part 2. Will continue until I declutter all those mags that i have no need for.
I did this last weekend, 5 garbage bags, I guess that counts 🙂 I managed not to touch my husbands stuffalthough it is very tempting sometimes.
Jawadde
Marjolein, we’ll address OPS (Other People’s Stuff) during the challenge.
Ik probeer elke dag iets weg te doen. Valt niet zo op, maar het werkt wel.
After wondering around like a child dragging her blankie around with her (otherwise known as a rubbish bag) I managed to throw some things away, namely books and magazines I am not going to read and a dodgy vase I got as a gift that I was surprised I still had! Bring on day 2!