My goal for 2016 is to live a more balanced and organized life....especially at home - where we're supposed to be able to relax and re-charge. However, with 2 kids, 2 exhausted adults and a baby on the way... it seems like every time I turn around there’s another pile of dirty dishes to wash, baskets of laundry to fold or put away, and us tripping over toys trying to do it all.
My girlfriends and I decided to do a "Chuck Challenge" for the month of April. On April 1st, we had to "chuck" 1 thing - whether we donated, recycled, sold or threw it away. On April 2nd, we "chuck" 2 items and we had to take pics every day to prove it. Well, a few of us enjoyed tidying up that we were getting rid of more items than we had to ....and it felt great consciously doing so on a daily basis. We've unanimously agreed to keep on going for the month of May!
These were the highlights of my month:
On Day 1: My girlfriend said "you don't need a pencil case for all your highlighters---you only need one highlighter!"
On Day 3- I donated 3 BOXES full of toys!
On Day 18 - I donated 500+ articles of clothing and shoes in one day!
Below is a snippet of what one of the girls have personally experienced. Keigi is a graphic designer - We've planned parties together but I give her all the credit for the decor she's done and invitations she's created at our past events.
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"It was emotionally tough and I just didn’t want to let go.
I had so many excuses and reasons that stopped me from de-cluttering items that just really crowded my living environment. I kept going through the reasons in my head for the umpteenth time. “Just in case I need it one day”, “It has sentimental value” and “My hard earned money went into that item. Why would I throw it or give it away”? I have spaces filled to capacity with all kinds of items, waiting for a someday that never seems to arrive.
As soon as my girlfriend shared her Desire to De-clutter blog, I was motivated and inspired. That’s when the 30-day get chucked challenge idea came into place. Not that we created this idea but nevertheless an idea that would lovingly force and help each other make a small lifestyle change.
I had to change my perspective and I wanted a solid goal. I needed a reason to keep me going even if my girlfriends decided to drop-out of the challenge. It had to be something that would make me cry. Not literally, but it would hurt the heart juuuuust a little.
All I kept thinking about was my son. I asked myself if I took away all his toys and things that he possesses would he still love me?. Even though he is two and a half years old? And wouldn’t even understand the concept?. The answer is YES, he still would. And say he did the same and took away my unnecessary possessions. Yes, it would hurt a bit. Yes, I’d feel resentful but no doubt I’d still love him.
It has been so rewarding and it definitely helped my psychological state of mind. Clutter is overwhelming and stressful. Our house still contains so many items that are not needed. There are certain things I still struggle to let go. But I am determined to be free from the life-robbing presence of physical clutter. The month is over but the challenge is just the beginning. It feels so good to de-clutter over 465 items in a short month. I have sold a lot of my items on this great app called Varagesale, recycled, re-gifted, took items to charities and us girls plan on having a garage sale in the near future.
I am so thankful and grateful to God for my girlfriends (also consider as my family) for their persistence, tenacity and commitment on this project. I would have not gotten through this without them. We truly are amazing as a team and I encourage everyone to take the challenge. Do it with someone, do it with a few friends and or relatives. It is 100% attainable and the reward is priceless with a great burden off your shoulder.
So find some hope and take a small step. Then, take another…. and another…. and another…"
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Day 1: Stuffed animals, puzzles, board games and any toys with missing pieces. Throw away anything you haven’t played in a while.
Day 2: Purses, Clutches, Bags - plus whatever's inside your purses!
Day 3: Bathtub Toys: Do you know what it looks like inside those toys from the water enters through the holes?
Day 4: Baby Changing Table Drawer: creams, diapers, wipes, coupons?
Day 6: Shoes- get the whole family involved!
Day 7: Lighten-up your keychain by removing keys you can't identify.
Day 8: Make-Up: throw away anything old and colours you no longer wear.
Day 9: Jewelry: outdated fashion accessories and those you haven't worn in decades
Day 10: Coat closet: Old jackets, winterwear and scarves - we really don't need a dozen tuques and missing gloves.
Day 11: Under the sink: Condense cleaning supplies and air fresheners you no longer prefer.
Day 12: Kitchen pantry and the fridge: Toss expired or unused food
Day 13: Gift Wrapping, Gift Bags, Ribbons: Recycle anything that’s wrinkled or torn.
Day 14: Office Desk: supplies and throw away dried out pens and markers.
Day 15: Kitchen Drawers and appliances you never use.
Day 16: Linen Closet, Towels: get rid of blankets, sheets and towels you don’t need.
Day 17: Medicine cabinet: expired creams, vitamins, and pills. Safely dispose them away from children.
Day 18: Belts, Scarves & Pashminas: My friends and I may have had an obsession
Day 19: CDs and DVDs - Do you have VHS, vinyl and cassette tapes in boxes stored?
Day 20: Filing Cabinet - oh so much paper!
Day 21: Toolbox, Paint, the garage- make sure your husband knows too.
Day 24: Wires, Cords, old chargers, extra cables: If you don't know what they're for- they're not needed anymore.
Day 25: Old gadgets, electronics, cameras and cellphones: They’re just taking up space, and you might be able to get some cash in exchange.
Day 26: Bookshelves: Books, dictionaries, thesauraus and encyclopedias! search the internet instead and save space on your shelf!
Day 27:Bathroom Drawers: Throw out any mini toiletries that you won’t be using
Once a day for half an hour makes a difference in your home and you’ll feel better! Spring cleaning in full effect and make sure to get the whole family involved !
MCB xo
Day 2: Purses, Clutches, Bags - plus whatever's inside your purses!
Day 3: Bathtub Toys: Do you know what it looks like inside those toys from the water enters through the holes?
Day 4: Baby Changing Table Drawer: creams, diapers, wipes, coupons?
Day 6: Shoes- get the whole family involved!
Day 7: Lighten-up your keychain by removing keys you can't identify.
Day 8: Make-Up: throw away anything old and colours you no longer wear.
Day 9: Jewelry: outdated fashion accessories and those you haven't worn in decades
Day 10: Coat closet: Old jackets, winterwear and scarves - we really don't need a dozen tuques and missing gloves.
Day 11: Under the sink: Condense cleaning supplies and air fresheners you no longer prefer.Day 12: Kitchen pantry and the fridge: Toss expired or unused food
Day 13: Gift Wrapping, Gift Bags, Ribbons: Recycle anything that’s wrinkled or torn.
Day 14: Office Desk: supplies and throw away dried out pens and markers.
Day 15: Kitchen Drawers and appliances you never use.
Day 16: Linen Closet, Towels: get rid of blankets, sheets and towels you don’t need.
Day 17: Medicine cabinet: expired creams, vitamins, and pills. Safely dispose them away from children.
Day 18: Belts, Scarves & Pashminas: My friends and I may have had an obsession
Day 19: CDs and DVDs - Do you have VHS, vinyl and cassette tapes in boxes stored?
Day 20: Filing Cabinet - oh so much paper!
Day 21: Toolbox, Paint, the garage- make sure your husband knows too.
Day 24: Wires, Cords, old chargers, extra cables: If you don't know what they're for- they're not needed anymore.
Day 25: Old gadgets, electronics, cameras and cellphones: They’re just taking up space, and you might be able to get some cash in exchange.
Day 26: Bookshelves: Books, dictionaries, thesauraus and encyclopedias! search the internet instead and save space on your shelf!
Day 27:Bathroom Drawers: Throw out any mini toiletries that you won’t be using
Day 29: Pictures - sentimental attachment, put your past self in order
Day 30: Car- clean out the mess that your kids (or you) made
Once a day for half an hour makes a difference in your home and you’ll feel better! Spring cleaning in full effect and make sure to get the whole family involved !
MCB xo
I love this post because it can truly be completely difficult to get rid of things! We form emotional attachment to things and when we get rid of them, we feel a piece of us is gone! I also recently did a "purge" in my house in an effort to de-clutter my life. Mission accomplished. While it was tough, I feel better now.
ReplyDeleteMerilyn @ Sanford Company