Clutter Countdown begins now! With just 15 minutes a day, we’ll revolutionize our homes and encourage each other along the way.
It’s time. It’s past time.
For over two years, I’ve had this cute little Clutter Countdown graphic sitting in my blog drafts, but I’ve always found something else more important to commit to because deep down, I was skeeeeered (scared. 🙂 )
It’s so hard for my Type Z, throw caution to the wind, personality to commit to something I’ve been trying on and off to conquer for years, yet I know that the best way for me to make changes is when I am held accountable to the very thing that is in my area of weakness.
As I peruse all the beautiful and information packed organizing blogs available, typically, there’s a theme. It’s the naturally organized, “everything has a place” kind of gurus attempting to guide those that struggle. We need those people in our lives. They continually amaze me with what they are doing, but often, I’m defeated before I begin because I could never fully wrap my brain around the Organizational Credo: “When in doubt, throw it out.” I don’t intuitively think like that.
Really, throw it out, but what if I need it? I just know that next Saturday after I donate it to Goodwill, I am going to need that two tiered, double converted, solar powered, chocolate and cheese fondue pot gifted on my wedding day and then I am going to regret that decision. I mean, I searched Amazon and those things sell for $75, so how can I just give it to someone else?
Can I hear an AMEN??
So here’s the deal!!
I am a gold mine of organizational information. I understand that our organizational process affects how we function. Our homes, offices, and schedules reflect and encourage who we are, what we want and where we are going.
I have at least ten organizing books gracing my shelves, folders of clipped magazine articles from the last ten years and quite frankly, I could give a workshop on this topic that could rival the Presidential Address, but I can just never quite cross the finish line.
Yes, I have a plethora of excuses for not tackling the hard disorganized areas of my home, but that’s what it is, CHOICES! It’s about the little day to day choices- choices of my time, my attitude and my priorities.
I need to retrain how my laid back personality naturally thinks about organization and if you’ll join me, we’ll begin with baby steps.
If you are reading from a place of clutter in your own life, let’s do this together!
It seems overwhelming, doesn’t it? And I have often thought, ” I just don’t know where to start,” but that’s what we are doing – STARTING – TOGETHER!! We can do this, don’t put it off any longer.
Don’t tell yourself you are too tired, or too busy. Just say “yes” because when the holidays hit, you will be so thrilled you did. Doing this together makes all the difference.
I get this. I live this struggle and so the daily 15 minute tasks we do together will be from that understanding. There will be no complex organizational system to learn. I will live blog this right along with you, so there won’t be pretty stock photos, but you’ll see the nooks and crannies of my mess and what I’m tackling. I hope you will be encouraged to stay the course.
I’ve invited a few professionals to help along the way too and I’ll note them later, but for 31 days over the next six weeks, I am committing to 15 minutes a day. That’s it. If someone tell me an hour, which realistically is the minimum of what I need, I run the other way, but 15 minutes, I can do that. I can begin new habits and bring my family along with me.
Since I am traveling in October, I won’t post 31 days straight on the blog, but I will be issuing our daily challenges both here and/or on my Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Facebook, so make sure you check in with FB every evening chiming in with what you accomplished. I’ll share my before and after pictures of our 15 minutes.
Are you in?
Are you ready to just start?
Please don’t make me do this all by myself. 🙂
Oh my gosh….totally with you!! The number of organizing books and magazines that i have is ridiculous and yet the clutter and disorganization still runs rampant here. I have a “what would Jen do” question! I have so much stuff that i need to get rid of (and believe me I have donated a ton!) but I have a hard time not wanting to store it all away as i declutter and have a spring garage sale. However, the thought of having tons of stuff stored who knows where for a possible garage sale doesn’t free me from the clutter NOW! So torn and wondered what your thoughts are on this. Thanks!! **also…saw that your son is at Furman! We visited in the spring and my daughter is heavily leaning toward Furman (even though we live all the way up in PA 🙁 ) Hope he’s enjoying it!
Oh Julie – I am feeling your pain in the question.
Is there any way you can do a spontaneous garage sale now? I know the season may be done where you are, but with that you may have more traffic then ever because true garage sale seekers are wanting to still go??? Just thinking out loud. Last spring, I just had everything in my dining room and front porch and then just let friends and FB people know and they just came even though it wasn’t official. EVerything left, I just got rid of. Now, I have so much good stuff that I am in the same predicament AGAIN that you are in, but I just HAVE to get it out. I keep holding onto stuff and realize that they tax write off will be more than the cash (but I want the cash). Also, WE LOVE FURMAN!!!!! It’s so ironic because our eldest is up your way. He goes to school in PA, so I do know how hard being that far away is on the momma heart. It’s outside my “Circle of love”. That’s what I call it. 🙂 haha
Just my 2 cents here, I’m the pack rat of my household, but when my husband declutters his stuff a lot he will list on E-bay or special collectors forums (he’s a bit of a star wars nut 🙂 ). He keeps prices reasonable to a yard sale so things move quickly. Another friend who was excellent at “When in doubt throw it out” would place adds on Craig’s list. My husband didn’t like the idea of strangers coming and going but it’s sure nice when its a big piece of furniture to let them do the lifting!
It is on like Donkey Kong!! Together we will make it happen ’cause I sure need the accountability of doing it with someone else. 🙂
I am so looking forward to this series! We moved into our house 3 1/2 years ago and I have been battling the clutter ever since! We have a bigger home now than before, and yet, with all the renovating we have been doing, life still feels chaotic in many of the rooms of our house. I am waiting for the day when our big projects are complete so life can be “normal”, but I know we also just have too much stuff. Would love to join you as much as life will allow me to at present!
I am with you, Jackie – I just have too much stuff. It’s all “Good stuff” and so it’s so hard to part with it, but I must. 🙂 Yes, just join in whenever you can. Something is better than nothing.
Jen, I’m there! Actually, I’m going minimalist, and it is feeling TERRIFIC!!! I’m in the process of creating a minimalist blog, because, let’s face it, although all those vignettes are pretty, I don’t want the crap in my house that takes to create the vignettes! I’m thinning my house down to the everyday used items, and getting rid of most of the rest. And it total rocks! Whoo! Hoo!
Sue – really? That is amzing!!! Good for you. I know it must feel wonderful. how did you make that decision to go minimalist?
Love this!!! 15 minutes is doable! I’m in!
I’m in! Thanks for not making it 31 days straight, and for giving us (and you!) grace to just start, without fear, together! Let’s do this!
YES, we can do this!! I keep telling myself this and while I tell myself, I’ll repeat it to you all.. 🙂
I absolutely have to commit to this, too, and I am already planning to start it in January. I’ve decided on January because I retire from my full-time job on December 31! Organizing and decluttering are the first project I’m going to tackle in the new year. I promise.
Really looking forward to this series…hoping over from 31 Days and can’t wait to come back for more 😉
Yep! I’m in. I’m blogging about this too for 31 days. Great minds think alike!!
I’m in office and home. Thanks for coming up with this great idea.
Oh you and I both on the presidential speech……I believe one of my clutter items is organization books. Lol
With you all the way…amen!
HAHA!!! I know. We have a problem, don’t we? Actually, a LOT of my clutter is books in general, but it’s oh, so hard to get rid of them. 🙂
Over from the linkup! I am with you. I am hoping I can make the decision of what to let go of in 15 minutes. Ha! I’m trying to let go of the next layer of things. I declutter in the main part of the house, but the basement is getting backed up! Something’s gotta change because I’m not moving anytime soon. Have a great series!!
I’m so in! I’m the packrat in my marriage but I have to say I think its hereditary, my mother had a box that was labeled “Good Old Junk” She packed it in the early ’70s and it wasn’t opened until 2005. We laughed about it being a Time Capsule. But now I’m the mom in a small house with husband, teenage daughter, and 3 kids (ages 8,6,4) Too much clothes, too much toys, too many books we won’t read again. Thanks so much!
Yes! I am in! It is always on my mental list of things to do, but maybe this will be the fire that keeps me motivated. We are planning a military move in the summer so the more I can do now to prepare in the ” calm before the storm”, the better.
Oh, how I can relate. We moved from a 2800 square foot house to a 1400 square foot patio home in August. I started decluttering in April but was nowhere finished. We had two yard sale and donated loads. We still moved too much stuff and continued to donate after our move. The best motivator for me to stay decluttered is when I open my closets and see how orderly and clean they look. The downside is shopping is not much fun any more. I’m too hard on myself and walk out empty-handed many times. Good luck to you.
We just moved a month ago and I haven’t had much time to unpack anything but the necessary. I also didn’t have time to sort our stuff before packing everything to move. This would be a good opportunity to start going through boxes and taking a hard look at things. I’m looking forward to this interesting way of dealing with the clutter. Thanks!
I’m going to do this! Great idea! And I can do 15 minutes a day!
Count me in! I’m in the middle of packing, and sorting through what goes with us, and what gets donated. I could use the motivation.
I’m a couple of days late to this challenge, but I’m in. My whole house needs attention BADLY. I will catch up this weekend, if not today 🙂
Just start where ever you can. Glad you are joining us. 🙂
Thank you for being honest and sharing a struggle I have too, knowing what needs to be done and not quite getting there. Actually, I’m not even close right now, though things are getting better !
I also had a shelf of organizing books. I purged many last spring because they had become clutter!
I have a list of a couple of specific areas to tackle this weekend, as I will be traveling to be with my mom for her surgery next week and I would like to bless my husband and children.
And the whole, “set a good example thing.” 😉
So, I’m in!!
Thank you,
Elizabeth
Homeschooling mama of six, ages six to 18 and wife of a work-from-home electrical/software engineer.
Elizabeth – we are in this together. 🙂 (And obviously have lots in common…so let’s get at this and set that example. ;))
Love this series. I’m hopping over from 31 Days as well. I’m totally with you…my series is also on organizing. {31 Days of Life. Contained.} Thanks for your inspiration.
I am the best organizer…on paper. I just need to the motivation to implement. I’m hoping this series will help.
Oh Lisa – I totally get that because I am too. Just jump in and join us wherever you can. Little baby steps make all the difference!! Today’s post is a great printable to get our kids on board. 🙂
I’m late(story of my life), but I’m going to commit as well. I so need this and minimalist! I’ve lived in this house for 20 years, with other places mixed in. I have enough stuff for 3 households 🙁 and I’m supposed to be moving to NM in the summer of next year(YIKES :/!!!). I can do all things through Him who gives me strength, Phil 4:13!!!
Yes, join us. Where ever you are at!! And I know the feeling because we’ve lived here 17 1/2 years and am probably in the same position with “stuff.” Slow, but sure, we can do it. It’s overwhelming to think of the entirety so bit by bit, we’ll make a dent. 🙂
I’m in too! I’ve been trying to declutter but keep getting bogged down! It will be a huge help to have a guide and accountability!! Sounds like I will have a lot of catching up to do since this is already Oct 14, 2014 and we are going to be out of town until Oct 21. I will check FaceBook and see how you are doing this. Looking forward to this. Thanks. Cindy
Books, clothes and kitchen stuff (in the basement) are my biggest issues. and shoes.. sigh.. I have issues.. haha.. Im in!