This fall, my husband and I began to go through our possessions, attempting to really clear out the unnecessary items as much as possible. We got rid of almost 2 van loads of stuff, which is hard to believe.
Even harder to believe is the fact that we don't miss any of it. At all. Instead, we found that we enjoy being in our home more, and we spend less time cleaning and maintaining things. Having less proved to be a very, very good thing.
So good, in fact, that we're not finished yet. This summer we'll be going through our home in a detailed, step-by-step decluttering process.
Over the course of 8 weeks, or 40 days (not including weekends), we want to purposefully assess each area of our house and our possessions, and pare down to what we truly need, use and love. Everything else? It will be sold at a garage sale, donated to others, or taken to the dump as a last resort.
Are you eager to free yourself from the demands of your material possessions, so that you can fully enjoy and engage in the parts of your life that are most important? Relationships with family and friends, time spent with the Lord, serving and giving to others, opening your home for hospitality, having time for creativity, for rest, and for purposefully pursuing the things you are most passionate about.
When we free ourselves from "stuff", we have so much more to give to the things that really matter.
Will you join me in 40 days of decluttering our homes?
The goal:
To spend 30 minutes or less each day working on a specific area of the home
and
To find 10 items to get rid of each day
At the end of 40 days, we can expect to be released from 400 things that we don't need… can you imagine the effect that this will have on your home and life?!
I do realize, though, that it's summer. We want to be outdoors, enjoying time spent with loved ones, soaking up some sun, and having a whole lot of fun making memories. I don't want to spend days or weeks cooped up in my house as I sort through what we own.
That's why I created a plan to work through your house very systematically, but in 30 minutes or less per day. There might be the odd task that is a more daunting one for you and it will require more time. On the other hand, some of these tasks will be a piece of cake for you, and could be finished in 10 minutes flat. On average, most tasks shouldn't take more than 30 minutes, and the areas that I think will require extra time have been broken down into bite-sized or multi-day tasks.
Are you ready to join me?
To guide you through the process, I've created a PDF file, sort of a mini-ebook (8 pages) with some thoughts on decluttering and getting started, tips on working through the process, and then a step-by-step 40 Day Plan.
Download your copy by clicking on the link below.
8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home PDF Guide
I made this plan detailed and specific because that's how I work best. If someone just tells me to take a week to declutter my house and go through it room by room, I'll get lost and overwhelmed.
This 40 day plan was created by mentally walking through each and every part of my home. For example, the kitchen is broken down into bite-sized pieces over the course of 7 days (with individual tasks like drawers one day, kitchen linens another, and cookbooks/recipes on another). Clothing is split up into individual closets, dressers, and even a specific day for shoes. I included the random areas, like the medicine/supplement cabinet and first aid kit, videos/DVDs/CDs, and holiday supplies and decorations.
Every day, you'll know exactly what to work on. It's all spelled out, and organized into manageable tasks, to keep it from being overwhelming.
How you can follow along:
Since it is summer, and I'm actually taking some time off from writing actively for about half the summer, I opted not to make this a blog challenge or to use a link-up.
Instead, I'll be working through the 8 week plan myself and tracking my own progress on the "8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home" Facebook page. I'll go ahead and begin this coming Monday, July 2nd.
(Note that this Facebook challenge is now finished.)
Please go ahead and "like" the page to follow along. I'll be sharing my own photos as I work through each of the 40 days, and I would love to have you join me by sharing your own progress!
You can also share on Twitter, using Instagram photos or just regular tweets, with hashtag #8weekdeclutter.
It's important to mention that you don't have to follow along perfectly, day by day. If you start a week after I do, or even want to get going before me, that's fine. The point of following along with Facebook or Twitter isn't that you'll necessarily be on the exact same step as me or anyone else, but rather than we'll all keep encouraging each other as we press on!
This is going to be so good
Honestly, I'm excited to begin. Our household purge last fall was such a positive thing and I am eager to remove more and more of the clutter from our home.
I've also set some goals for what I want to use the garage sale money more... even more motivation!
I hope that many of you will join me on this challenge and experience along with me the increased freedom and peace that comes from taking control of your belongings, instead of letting them control you. You will be happily surprised by how much more less really is.
I know this post has been up for a while, but I'm hoping that you still check it. I just started the 8 weeks of de-cluttering and I have a question about de-cluttering pieces of appliances that you never use. Right now I'm going through my kitchen and I came across a box of attachments for my immersion blender. I use the blender, but have never even unwrapped the attachments and never will. What is the responsible way to get rid of the attachments? They are worthless without the blender as far as I can tell so I can't see sending them to a thrift store. Should I just send them to the recycler?
BTW, this blender was a gift. I would have opted for a single-piece appliance if I had purchased it myself since I have no need for the attachments. Single-piece immersion blenders are also more structurally sound. You know, in case any of you were thinking of buying one.
That's a hard call. You could try putting it on Craigslist for free. Sometime people are looking for something like the specific things you want to get rid of. I'm sure the attachments are hard to find, but someone who already has the blender may appreciate getting them. Otherwise, recycling is probably your best bet.
I will definitely repurpose and use this list! We're moving in about a month (hopefully) and my fiancé has collected so many things in the time he lived here. And then I moved in and brought things with me. We've been meaning to start de-cluttering the apartment starting tomorrow, because then we'll know whether or not we get the apartment we want, and this list will definitely help us stay organized.
Now, our apartment isn't as big as a house, it's fairly small actually, and we don't have kids, so we can use those days to start packing and to get that list done in a month rather than 8 weeks. But it's still perfect as a check list, even if we work longer on it each day. Thank you very much! :)
Thanks for you post. I love that it's detailed. I de-clutter regularly, but want to do a whole house kind of thing and always find myself not knowing where to start. I am starting this journey today. Thank you.
I will be starting tomorrow!! I am ready for this. So glad I found your blog post.
I started a FB page to track my journey. Thanks for the inspiration!
That you for this post! This is exactly what I need to start decluttering. I blogged and shared your post here: http://www.paceathome.com/entry.php?201-Join-me!-8-Weeks-to-a-Less-Cluttered-Home
Have a wonderful summer!
Thanks for joining in, and for sharing this, Leah!
Wow thanks been wanting to de-clutter for so long but when I look around I feel so over-whelmed and don't know where to start. So this will help out a lot and won't feel so over-whelmed but calmer in my approach. Thanks :)
We usually end up decluttering when we pack to move somewhere... which is way to frequent.
I also do quarterly go through of the house when it starts feeling like there is too much stuff building up.
BTW, a friend passed your link onto me and I have to admit, the main reason I stopped by was the name of your blog. For years I have been getting the offline publication, Keepers At Home, which is put out by some Amish / Mennonite families. Were you aware of it?
I was just doing this today! I was taking a break and was reading blogs and there yours is, talking about de cluttering.. with five children in a three bedroom upstairs (no garage, and min. storage) this is so necessary, I am so excited to keep going!
I am in. My daughter shared your site with me ... she's very excited! Almost three years ago my husband and I moved from our sticks and bricks home (2,500 sq ft) to a 5th wheel RV (450 sq ft). We left a LOT of stuff behind ... some went to the kids or friends, some was donated, some was sold and a lot was trash. But I did keep some and I know there are things I kept I haven't thought of, much less touched, in the past three years! In order for our little space to remain livable, keeping it decluttered is a must! Looking forward to the next eight weeks with you! :)
I love this idea! I think this is a perfect way to de-clutter AND pack for my big move all at the same time. No use in hauling things I don't want or need to another state. : )
This is very timely! I'm all in!
I am so in on this challenge! I have lots of clutter and the summer off to get rid of it!
Wish I was kidding... printed it and lost it. Glad it's online!
Just printed the PDF! Thank you for putting the time into such a nicely organized and compact document for us. I am excited to begin.
This has been on my mind specifically as we just recently had to decide to move or not (for my husband's job). We are staying the year, but likely that will mean moving summer 2013. I need to declutter over the course of this year. I'll check out your list and see if that would help. I do find it challenging with the kids and with summer. (Family plans, visiting, summer preserving, gardens, and also, going through a challenging stage with my 3 year old etc). But perhaps breaking it into such small chunks I actually can do it.
I'm ahead of you. I did a huge declutter a couple months ago, as next yr we will be moving into a new house about 1/2 the sq footage of this one (by choice, not necessity). It was a HUGE job - we sold 10 boxes of bks to HalfPrice Books, and gave away close to 50 boxes and bags of stuff. I also filled probably the equivalent of three large trash bags.
Everybody have fun - the effort is SO worth it when you get done!
Sounds like you did an amazing job, Emily! It must feel SO good to have done it!
You can also give away stuff via freecycle.org which is handy because they will come pick it up. You would be surprised at the items people will take that you might think are trash. Many can use broken items for parts or know how to fix them when its not worth it to you. Its also a great way to save money on things you need that others don't anymore. I have gotton most of our toys and both kids clothes from fellow freecyclers. Just make sure you don't refill your house with clutter! ;)
Yes, I forgot to mention freecycle, but you're absolutely right, Bek! Thanks for mentioning that!
I can't save the PDF file..I want to join..:)
Click to open the file. It should open in a new tab, as a PDF file. Then right click and choose the option to Save As. You should be able to save it as a PDF into a folder on your computer. Or, you can just print it out straight from the web browser.
Great post! Another suggestion: If you don't want to haul your "give" pile or your large items, you can always post them on freecycle.org. Then someone in your area who can use that item will come pick it up for you. It is a great way to pass on things that still have life and if you ever need anything for free, you have to "give before you can get" so once you post an OFFER, you are set to participate! I have seen many items that you would think would be trash, be posted and picked up. We freecycled a broken lawnmower, a broken printer, etc. There are folks who tinker or who can use things for parts, etc. Lastly, don't forget to check your local recylcing centers because many items can be or are required to be turned in there (such as electronics, etc)
Oh, what great timing! I have been buried in my S.T.U.F.F. for too long. I have always been a bit of a collector, shopping at thrift stores and garage sales but never have my possessions been so demanding as now. The main issue is my troublesome thyroid and adrenals: they so affect my memory and energy that I do not even remember where important documents got placed or how to start organizing! I used to love getting organized, not that I always maintained it but I at least had the ability to get back on track. So. I'm in. As much as I can be in. I have been doing some random decluttering and have taken four boxes of books to the used book store (so far), along with about half a dozen boxes of shoes and clothes to the thrift store and another three bags to the consignment store. Progress yes, but not enough to SEE yet.
Great idea! I was just telling a friend this evening that I am on a mission...to finally create my home into what I have always wanted; calm, clear, and comfortable. Now I have a plan and a group to keep me motivated! Thank you, and I'm so excited. :-)
Any advice for what to do with kids who collect. My 9 yr. old's job is emptying the trash and recycling. I can't tell you how many times that he digs out stuff to save. His room is the most cluttered place in the house. How do I convince him to part with his "treasure"?
I have a 7 year old just like that. If it's something that I think she really doesn't need, but she desperately wants to keep (like a small bottle that needs to be recycled, for example), we'll make a deal that she can keep it for 2 days and then it gets recycled. We have also used "special boxes", a small but set apart place for her to keep all of those little things that are treasures to her, but that I don't want to see all over the house. This does help to limit the clutter and she knows that if I"m finding things all around or she's leaving them out for younger siblings to get into, then they often go in the garbage. But we're still struggling with the issue. I'd love to hear some suggestions from other moms, too! :)
With my kids, I have placed limits by doing this: Each child has their own "special things" box. I was going to have them decorate them, but haven't done that yet. They are allowed to keep whatever they want that is treasure to them in that box. Its accessible to them. When its full, they have to go through it and get rid of some things to fit something new in. I thought it might not work for them (getting rid of stuff) but it works great. They get to choose what to get rid of or not when the time comes that its full. I also have a seperate jar (well washed plastic jar) for rocks with the same concept.
Just one caution- I don't let them keep nature stuff in there, instead we have another open basket on the dresser for that. When I was a child, I collected chestnuts in a bag and kept them and they went moldy.
Anyways- this system works SO well for us (3 year old and 6 year olds). If they want to keep something, I just say "put it in the special things box" or often, they tell me thats what they are doing. They even have told me that its full and they want to go through it so we set aside a time for them to do that.
Thanks Nola I am having a hard time with my son and his many collections that we think is junk and he loves to collect rocks. So this is such a good idea will have to do this with him and see how it works. :)
Thanks, Stephanie! I'm so ready to start!
Your post made me start decluttering today.
I found much more than ten things to throw away and I'm glad I did.
Sal
Woot! :)
I decluttered a few months ago, so I am pretty happy with how my home is right now, but I am looking forward to reading this series!
Just so you know, it's not going to be a blog series, but rather just a challenge through Facebook and Twitter. I would love to write a complete series like this sometime, but I'm actually trying to make it a regular, yearly thing to take one month off of writing each summer. Even bloggers need breaks. :)
Sounds like a great plan! I am looking forward to joining in!
This is a great challenge and I have already been thinking about and trying to simplify our lives. I did a lot yesterday and hope to keep going with the challenge.
For me I would add one more question: Do I have a place for the item. I try to think about that when buying anything too. Where would I put it?? My dad used to say "a place for everything and everything in it's place." If it doesn't have a place it will be the worst kind of clutter!
Sara, we have the same problem with our extended family and I hold on to junk sometimes just because of them. I would love suggestions in this area too!
Great question to add, Jessica! Knowing whether we actually have a place for something is definitely important to consider.
Thanks! I need to do this to prepare for a garage sale this fall, and the accountability with the facebook page will be great.
Oh I love this!!!! So excited to get started with this challenge. I somewhat began something similar on my own a couple months ago, but this will get me back on track! Thank you!!! :)
Before beginning it is a good idea to consider what you will do with your giveaways. In my small town, for instance, there is a "take it or leave it" where you can drop of most any household item (small or large) but they won't take bedding or clothing/shoes. These items would get taken to the local Thrift Shop. I think this is important or people might get into the swing of things and just take it all to the dump just to be done with it. One more thing: sometimes a library has a "free section" of sorts of older, dicarded or dontated resources. Books, magazines and movies might be best dropped off here.
I had plans to do something like this as I was unpacking in our new house. When we packed up all our boxes, I did it once....and kept some things to think about. Now I can declutter again as I take things out. :-)
It feels so great! It's like you've lost weight....looking forward to every step of this challenge!
I bet you'll find even more that you want to get rid of and that is unnecessary, after having it all packed up for a while. Once it's been gone, you sometimes realize that you didn't need it after all, you know?
I am so excited about this! We will probably be on an accelerated version since our baby is coming in less than 4 weeks but in this nesting stage I'm in, I'm all for it! :) My husband will be so excited too! Thank you so much for the motivation and inspiration!
Very excited about this! My husband and I were just talking the other day as we were driving home from vacation about how we really need to de-clutter and get rid of a lot of STUFF. I'm in!
We have been decluttering the last month, and plan to keep going. Already I am running out of places to store things for a yard sale! We have changed our focus, to look for those in need to donate to. Even the kids have hopped on board, and we are all feeling great about it!
Love this challenge, Stephanie!! I am planning on decluttering series for next spring...and I know this challenge will help me in that!
My most cluttered room is sadly our bedroom. It's like the catch-all for everything (it used to be the guest room before kids....but now we don't have one). It's really sad. Our bedroom is not a haven for my husband! We had a wonderful, wonderful Babymoon getaway to a quaint little hotel/B&B this past weekend, and I told my hubby that I wanted our bedroom to be like the room where we stayed....but that will mean some WORK on my part!
Can't wait to check out the PDF!! Thanks so much for putting this together!!!
I am so very excited about this, and very much in need of it!
This is great! Thanks so much!
This might just be the incentive I need to clear out the clutter. We may be moving in the near future and the idea of packing up all of this "stuff" makes ill. The less we have to move the better. I'm looking forward to getting started.
LOVE clearing out clutter. It was the best thing after my divorce, to ditch EVERYTHING and start over. My new home is wide open with no STUFF and I LOVE that open, minimal feeling.
Oh, I won't be needing this. There's no clutter in my house. JUST KIDDING!!!! Actually, this is perfect timing for me since we homeschool year round and our "year" starts July 1st. This is my planning week, so I'll be inserting your 40 day schedule into our chores. I've looked over the pdf and so many of these things are little "missions" the children can do! Perfect! Thanks so much for the great list!
Yes, definitely lots of small, simple things that kids can help with!
And I'm so glad there's no clutter in your house at all. LOL!
I am really looking forward to this too.
Sara, I have the same problem, I got so mad when I read a professional organizer say that no one really cares if you give the stuff they gave you away, in my dh's family they do. They are looking for it, asking if we like it, and how much we use it when they give us certain things, especially if they are toys for dd.
Is there any way you can share your progress with this challenge with them as you are doing it, and share how much better it has made you feel to have less stuff, and only the stuff you need and use frequently? I'd also add that since you love the challenge so much, you and your family are making it a goal to only allow items you love and into your house. That way it may seem like you are sharing your journey with them, instead of condemning them for buying you more junk.
If you have a good relationship with them, and they still bring you more stuff can you try the "This is great, and I really appreciate it, but I would feel so much better if it went to someone who would use it and love it more than I do "conversation? I could try that with some of my family, and they wouldn't get offended, but some of them would.
We've recently begun doing this, in the last few weeks. I've been writing about it a little. :) We are preparing to move, and want to take only the items we really need and want with us. The extras...need to go.
We already have a few boxes full in the garage, which will be sold or donated. I've taken a load of cardboard to the recycle center too. I'm trying to tackle one "problem area" at a time. Over the weekend I cleaned off my dehydrator (a huge "catch all" spot for me) and now that whole area is clean and nice! I'll be tackling the top of my fridge, the top of the fish tank, and some surfaces in my bedroom this week too. I've already done two of the bathrooms, and the kitchen cleaning cabinet. One bit at a time. ;) I'm so excited to be making my life simpler, and to rediscover items I'd actually use if I had been able to find them!
This is perfect timing!! We have our second child arriving in about 6 weeks so I might end up doing 2 sections in a day, but I can't wait to get started! We need decluttering badly!
My husband and I have recently been talking about doing this, but haven't come up with a plan yet. With baby expected to arrive in about 8 1/2 weeks, we might try to take a more accelerated approach to finish based on this plan (hopefully!) before the arrive of our precious gift!
Any recommendations on approaching family to maintain a de-cluttered home? We've talked with our families, but my family doesn't get it, and whenever they come for a visit (about once a month) they come with a carload of toys, gadgets, and clothes - most of which I label as junk. I want to be thankful for their generosity, but I don't want most of it in my house. If the first step of open communication doesn't work, then what's next? They also look for the things they give us at the next visit, and I've seen the look of frustration when I mention that it just wasn't something we needed. I want to demonstrate Christ to them more than anything. Thanks!
For family giving gifts, we limit each family member or group (grandparents for example) to bring one gift with them when they visit. Our families live far away and visit several times a year. We've found that stating that we love them giving gifts is wonderful, but we don't have an endless amount of space in our small home. Also, we've made it a point (at their request) to let them know if we needed something. For example, we let the grandparents purchase the first bike.
We've also found that suggesting activities as gifts works well - a zoo membership, a trip out fishing, etc.
Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestions Angie! Some have worked well with my in-laws, like I mentioned in the earlier post, it's my side of the family that are the biggest offenders. I'll try asking to limit gifts to one per visit to see if that helps. I've mentioned our small house before, but my mom finds it acceptable to store box after box of toys in the attic or basement and offered to organize those spaces to accomodate the toys she wants to give. Since then I have emphasized that my husband and I really believe that less is more. I'll keep praying for a way to address the issue in love.
good challenge...my crew is leaving this weekend to spend a few days with my mil so I can get started on some of the heavier stuff
We have been working on this at our house too. It is wonderful! Can't wait to see what encouragment I can get from your ideas!
For the last three months I have been getting rid of things that were in our basement and it looks a lot better. It still has a long ways to go but I'm truly enjoying what it looks like. Over the weekend I went through most of the house (closets and under my bed haven't been touched) and got rid of lots and lots of stuff. It is all in my car right now for me to take way to the goodwill.
I would like to follow your 8 week plan. That way I am completely done with the house by school starts.
By the way, I feel great! This cleaning has made me feel renewed.
Thank you thank you thank you for doing this! I have been wanting (and trying) to de clutter for so long. I did a decent size purge a few months ago, but with 2 little ones it has been too overwhelming to tackle the big stuff. This is exactly what I need to finish the job!
You're so welcome! I know that it can be overwhelming to even know where to start. Hope this helps!
I am thrilled to be a part of this clutter-free movement! I just added another daily reader called TheFlyLady to go along with KEEPER. I am determined to declutter and live more minimally making our footprint less lasting! Thanks Stephanie!
What a great challenge -- can't wait to tackle some of this.
One suggestion: when you call your local thrift store to see what they accept, be sure to ask about clothing with stains or that is worn out. Most stores will accept it and recycle it into insulation for homes or into pet bedding at animal shelters -- a much better use than the landfill! I like to put all those clothes in a separate bag labeled "rags" to save the store employees time.
Great suggestion, Jenny!