Decluttering and organizing challenges are all the rage — for good reason! But they’re called a “challenge” for a reason — they’re HARD! It’s time consuming, overwhelming, and often gets better before it gets worth. But don’t be discouraged — here are some tips for success for a decluttering challenge.
JOIN US FOR THE LESS MESS CHALLENGE!
NOTHING WORTH HAVING COMES EASY and a clutter-free, organized home is definitely worth having.
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Tips for Success for a Decluttering Challenge
- Schedule it. Write it on the calendar, block off your day, take a day off work if you’re able.
- Find an accountability partner. Call a friend, cousin, or parent and get them to join the fun!
- Arrange childcare. maybe you and your accountability partner can trade babysitting services?
- Get your family on board. Have a family meeting to discuss the problems you’re having in the home, how you plan to fix them, and how they can help.
- Set your intentions. What are your goals for the space? How do you want it to function? How do you want it to look?
- Figure out food. Meal prep or ask a partner to take charge on the days you’ll be working
- Gather boxes. Save those amazon boxes to fill with donations.
- Take pictures. Snapping a pic of your spaces — both before and after — are great ideas. Before shots give you a different perspective on the space. Afters allow you to pat yourself on the back and see the changes you made.
- Gather supplies. Nothing derails your focus quicker than having to wander around the house for what you need. Make a little caddy of cleaning supplies so you can grab and go. Paper towels, microfiber cloths, dusters, garbage bags, and some sprays will all be helpful.
- Don’t obsess. Remember that done is better than perfect. Don’t get caught up on the details or let the little things suck you in. You can always go back and fine tune things later.
- Don’t go broke on bins. Bins have their place, but not if they’re holding you up or costing you a fortune. Use shoeboxes to sort your items, then upgrade to bins later when you’re sure your system works.
- Identify places to donate items. Having a donation plan and having a place in mind makes it SO much simpler to follow through and donate your items. Some places may also have donation pick up services. This is the one I use: Charitable Donations | GreenDrop (gogreendrop.com). Local churches, goodwill, homeless centers, pregnancy centers, daycares, and preschools are all great places to start — just call ahead and make sure they want what you’ve got.
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- Reward Yourself. Yes, yes, having a clean, decluttered home is reward enough, but I also believe that if there’s a little something extra in it for you (i.e. upgraded spice jars or cute labels) will help you enjoy and maintain the space.
Don’t be surprised when taking part in a decluttering challenge if one thing leads to another.
Often, I try to rearrange a simple space and then end up painting, wallpapering and buying a new chair. When you take care of your home and your space, you’re motivated to make it even more usable and enjoyable. Just try to pace yourself because if you try to do too many projects at once, you’ll probably get overwhelmed and not follow through with any of them, leading to more of a mess than when you started.
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Success During a Decluttering Challenge
Decluttering and organizing challenges can be hard, especially if your home is cluttered. Follow these tips for success for a decluttering challenge and you’ll be able to get to the finish line!
