20 Things a Day Declutter Challenge

On July 16th, my friend Christi and I decided that we were going to get rid of a minimum of 20 things each day from our homes.  By the fourth day, I had to start looking a lot harder to find 20 items.  In the basement, there was lots, but I wanted to focus on the main floor for at least a week.

 

At the end of the first week, I moved to the basement.  On the first day in the basement, I removed 208 items from my home.  I started in my storage area with a few questions in mind:

• Do I love it? If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Would I move it across the country?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Would I purchase it second hand?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Do I really need it right now?  In the next year?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Will this item be easy to find in the future? If not, it’s probably STAYING here.

I continued with this line of questioning and thinking as my work in the basement progressed.

Other things I have counted in my declutter challenge is simply trash that goes un-noticed until you really look.  As FlyLady would say, look with the eyes of a realtor or a stranger.  What do they see?  In this house, they see a lot of trash and clutter!  This problem is slowly getting resolved.

I don’t always get 20 things every day anymore, but my mind is refocused to not accepting just anything.  I now have a specific list of things we need or want to make life here a little easier.  If something comes that is not on that list, it’s not an automatic “in” anymore.  I think about it now.  This is an important step in the fight against clutter.  At least it is for me.  I know others who have this trait (is it a trait?) naturally.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,