32 Days of Declutter Kickoff
This week, we kicked off my 32 days of declutter challenge! Follow along on Instagram to keep up with our daily tasks. During week 1, we will be focusing on the kitchen, but stop—don’t empty out your pantry yet! Before you start decluttering, we need to do a little bit of prep work.
Prep Work:
- Get your family on board. Let the people you live with know that you are starting a decluttering challenge and you are going to need some help from them. First, tell them why this challenge is important to you. For example, you might tell your child: when I’m constantly tripping over the shoes you left in the middle of the floor, I get really frustrated. I want to spend my time with you having fun, not being frustrated. Next, be specific when you ask for help: instead of telling your family something like “I need everyone around here to pitch in more,” say “I expect everyone to put their dishes in the dishwasher when they are done using them.”
- Identify hot zones. What are the biggest problem areas in your home? Make a list and know that when we get to these areas, you might need to dedicate a little extra time (but the benefits of a clean, decluttered area will be worth the extra time you spend).
- Kickstart your decluttering by picking three things (from anywhere in your house) to get rid of. Ideally, go ahead and get them out of your house—post them for free on your local Buy Nothing group, or plan a trip to a donation center. The longer they linger, the more likely it is they’ll gradually be absorbed back into your home.
Get in the right mindset:
Last week, I covered three reasons we hold onto stuff we don’t really need. If you missed those posts, be sure to check them out before you get started.
Let’s get started:
I’m excited to get this challenge started. January always make me want a fresh start, and I know my home will feel so much more peaceful once I’ve gotten rid of some of this clutter—and that it will open up time and mental space for me to do more of the things I enjoy doing. Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram to get the daily prompts.
If you have any questions about the challenge, or want to share your why for taking on the challenge, leave a comment!
Read other posts in my decluttering series:
I Spent Good Money On That · What if I Need it Someday? · Getting Rid of Stuff: Emotional Attachments · Clutter is a Thief · Clutter Makes it Hard to Find What You Need
