Take the 30 Day Declutter Challenge: Less Equals More
As happy as we think buying stuff makes us, it comes with a price, and it is not only the money we pay for it. We must give it space in our homes, and we must give our time and effort to take care of it. And then there is the toll it takes on us emotionally, psychologically, and physically.
The Real Cost of Things…
- Money
- Space
- Time
- Stress
- Depression
- Quality of life
As I have started to think of things in this way, it makes me think a little differently when I am making buying choices. There are things that I think I want, but as I think about them in the context of what I am actually trading for these things, I find myself realizing I do not want it as much as I think I do.
It also makes me think about what I already have, what I purchased before I realized the real cost, things in which I am still paying for with my space and time.
So periodically, I like to declutter. It is not necessarily something I enjoy the act of doing, but I sure do enjoy the feeling it gives me after I am finished. I feel empowered and like my stuff is not owning me and I can better enjoy the things that matter. We are happier with less.
Periodically decluttering also helps me to stay better focused with my current buying decisions. When I’m consciously rethinking my past purchases, it makes me more intentional with my purchases today. That is a win win.
Having too many things keeps us from enjoying the things we do love. It takes our time, space, and money.
So less means…
- More $
- More space
- More time
- More peace
- More joy
- More life
Less is more.
Simplicity.
Less stuff. Less work. Less expense. = More money. More time. More joy.
Less equals more.
Let’s do this! Here is a 30 Day Challenge to get you started! Do a challenge every month or periodically through the year. It is a wonderful feeling at the end of the month to see the progress you have made.
Declutter Tips
- Did you even know you had this? Would you likely be able to find it if you did need it?
- When tackling a room and start to find certain categories that don’t belong, create a boxes for these categories. I tend to find a lot of extension cords, adapters, electronics, chargers, etc., so I made an electronic box. I also tend to find household things throughout the house. These are things like furniture sliders, extra coasters, velcro hangers, household things I tend to repurpose regularly, etc. I make a box for those things. This way I can collect them while I’m focusing on room, and I can deal with them all at once when I’m done decluttering the house and know exactly what I’m dealing with. It helps me to not get distracted with lots of little things until I have them all together.
- 15 minutes a day with a timer will help you to declutter in a much more focused way. Sometimes it helps me more than a number of things.
Free, Printable 30 Day Challenge – 30 Day Declutter Challenge
Less Equals More
Tell me what you would like to see…
Also, I’m creating a brand new declutter sheet, well really, it’s more of an actual tracker that will be in a complete daily planner/tracker system. I’m thinking something that will track your totals, and maybe where you can put in a goal, and it will track how close you are to your goal? How cool would that be! I’d love to hear what you would love to see in your IDEAL tracker!
I love to declutter! When my life is going according to plan I do it at least once a year. There are seven of us in our home, so stuff seems to grow all on its own. If I don’t declutter, we get overwhelmed. And I need space!
I hope your decluttering brings you peace of mind and all the other things you’re looking for. Best wishes and happy Sharefest!
Ha ha! Yeah, I do not LOVE to do it, Robin. But I LOVE the feeling after I am done. lol Isn’t it amazing the stuff we accumulate? We have lived in the same house for over 20 years. When we moved around all the time, this never happened. We traveled light. I miss that feeling. OK, NOW I want to go declutter. lol
I had to come visit you back from The SITS 🙂 To declutter is a wonderful feeling bringing such a freedom. I actually wrote about this as well –> http://daysnthoughts.com/2014/07/16/the-sacred-whitebox/
Love when I learn more on a topic already striking home. Have a great weekend! Nice to “meet” you too!!
It really does. I just responded to Robin’s comment and was remembering what it felt like when we moved around all the time and how we traveled light. There was definitely a sense of freedom in that. Thank you so much for stopping by, Joanne. I look forward to connecting more!
I try to declutter twice a year – spring & fall. I just did a mini-decluttering in my laundry room. Afterwards I did have a moment of “ahhh”. 🙂 I like your challenge, I may use it to change things up in the fall. Visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Debra! It’s nice to meet you! I also try to do it periodically. I find doing it in layers helps. Sometimes I’m not ready to part with something the first time around, but the next time, I am. You have a beautiful weekend, too.
Hi there, this came just at the right time. I am going to start to declutter my home. It definitely needs doing and your chart will help me out. Thank you for sharing this x
You’re welcome, Simone! Glad you found the 30 day challenge and hope it helps! I love seeing progress when I do these things. It helps to keep me motivated.
I am all about de-cluttering at the moment. It seems a never ending journey because we just accumulate so MUCH stuff! Thanks for this printable. Visiting from SITS Sharefest.
It does seem never ending, Leah. It is amazing what it takes to stay on top of it. And just think, this is with us being more conscious of what we are buying because we de-clutter regularly. Imagine what it would be if we didn’t. lol Thanks for stopping by to visit, Leah!
Sign me up! Seriously… sign me up!
Every summer my inlaws host a family garage sale and every summer I go through the cleaning, purging, selling, and donating phase. I keep wondering WHY, oh WHY do I do this annually. How do I let things stack up again?
Thanks for this challenge. I will be taking it seriously!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
It is a never ending process, Jennifer. There always seems to be something to throw out. I am just always afraid I will need it as soon as I do. lol What a great thing to do as a family. I love that.
Topaz:
I heart this post. I just finished my summer decluttering and it felt so wonderful to clear out space and donate some of my items. It makes me much more cognizant about buying anything additional. I also love that my daughter takes an active role in helping me clear up her space too. It is a fantastic way to show children that there is so much joy in simplicity.
Hi Rudri! It really does feel good, doesn’t it? And kudos to you teaching this to your daughter! There really is so much joy in simplicity.
Thanks for your inspiration
You’re welcome, Helen. Thank you for stopping by to read and say hello.