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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.
The following are suggestions for de-cluttering:
Save your important dates i.e. appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. on your calendar, PDA, cell phone or laptop.
Place your photos in an acid free albums or be creative and make a scrapbook. You can have more than one album i.e. childhood photos; school photos; graduation photos; special occasions and vacations.
Donate your old computers. They can be rebuilt and sold for a small amount to the low income people if they qualify.
Toss out expired food, cosmetics and prescription medications. Expired items are contaminated.
Looking forward to do it for 10 minutes at home tonight (live un France); I just did it for t’en minutes on m’y office desktop!
I did 10 minutes. I will do 10 minutes more tomorrow on this. I like space. I can always buy the clutter again if I really need it.
Thank you for the help! I can’t believe the difference.
I just decluttered my camper it was unbelievable the stuff I tossed out and donated.
Argh. Just my computer desk in the lounge took 15 minutes! But I did it! 🙂 Dust and all. Getting the kids to help with the rest later.
this is on going for me.
I got rid of some books…some nicnacs that don’t mean lot…. I got rid of 20 magazines and about 25 books. It was hard to give up the books…. But now That it is gone hoorrayyyy!!! Donated lots of kids clothes and some of mine too. Going to repeat today and see what else I can Finally Let go off….thank you. I asked my son to fill a grocery bag of unwanted items. He didn’t do that well…will try again
I am a pretty organized person but my roommates on the other hand not so much so I got them involved and results were amazing! Thanks for day one declutter!!!
Today being Memorial Day, I had a pretty full schedule, but I figured I could fit this task in too. I purged magazines, electronic orphans, such as charging cords or game controllers no one knew what it went with, and health and beauty products. Also hit my closet and drawers. Easily got my 100 items. Feels good to make a strong start! Good luck everyone!
Yes. 🙂 that is true, certain areas where easier than others and as long as I’m making progress, I’ll eventually get there 🙂
I did okay…took several hours but I did get rid of several items…still feel like I have more to get rid of but am feeling stuck!
Well, I started with 10-15 minutes in the downstairs living areas and ended several hours later with a cleaner front-hall closet, cleaner office, and several bags of stuff to take to Goodwill. I am doing the 7 day declutter also, so I got started with some good incentive to get rid of STUFF. I feel lighter!
Didn’t get to posting until today but I did do this task on day 1! walked around the house with a paper bag and asked do I really need this, have I used this in the past year, does this make or will this make my life easier?
I did not get the task for day 2. I give my self a C- on the A – F grade school scale for day one. I did get rid of a few things but I did not spend 15 minutes on the task before I decided that I need my wife to be on board also. Now I need courage to ask her to do the Day one 15 minute task with me. I mentioned that I was doing the program and she took it as an insult. She has previously given herself the job of decluttering her pile of stuff in the Garage and the guest bedroom/storage area but hasn’t gotten much done after over a month.
Somewhat feel like I cheated in that yesterday I had to clear up after a barbie so definitely chucked more than 100 items out! To be fair to myself, off the back of the programme during June, the house is generally decluttered, bar some very obvious things I need to focus on: shed, Narnia room (all kinds of weird and wonderful surprises behind those doors if you can get them open!), clothes, bathroom lotions and potions (did my make-up) and paper, paper paper in my “zen” room, that is only “zen” for woodlouse of anything else that eats paper! Onwards and upwards!
I am happy to be doing this! Adding clothes too as I need to let some things go.
Going through papers, magazines and books – that’s the stuff that really needs sorting and decluttering today.
Concentrated on magazines and newspapers. I am sure that I exceeded the 100 pieces challenge. I took pictures, but I don’t really do Twitter very well and FB doesn’t look like anyone has posted since 2013! It is a good feeling finally moving forward on this clutter!!
The garage is full of junk to go to the dump! Yay!