January 7, 2017

Week 1 – Simply Clean Declutter Challenge

We’re one week into January and the Simply Clean Declutter Challenge – how are you doing? I’m doing this challenge right along with you and I can tell you that it’s already making a difference in our home. January is the perfect time for a little decluttering because you probably already feel motivated for it AND it’s the perfect time for a little fresh start. It’s not too late to join in on the decluttering fun – start on the day that you feel like it and move ahead with us OR catch up with a couple mini-sessions.

Here’s what you need to do – choose a place or places to follow along:

• Instagram  or Facebook – I post my cleaning routine daily in both of these places and am also posting the challenge every morning
• my private Homekeeping Society Facebook page (just request to be added). If you need a friendly little reminder to show up in your feed so you get off your phone and get rid of something, follow along 🙂
• off the grid? grab the checklist (the link is below) and work away 🙂

Here’s WEEK 1:

DAY 1 – Whole House Quick Declutter:  Start by simply setting a timer for 10 minutes and see how much stuff you can find and get rid of – aim for 3 bags. Toss, donate or sell your findings –  get them out of the house as quickly as you can.

DAY 2 – Floor Declutter:  Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much stuff you can find and get rid of off your floors.

DAY 3 – Surface Declutter: Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much stuff you can find and get rid of off surfaces. If you feel overwhelmed, pick one surface and completely clear it (coffee table, kitchen table, kitchen counters, desk, etc.). Taking that visual noise out of the equation makes a huge difference! Once you’ve cleared one surface, wipe it clean and leave that surface empty for a bit before you put anything back.

DAY 4 – Sort Paper Piles:  Today’s task is to sort your paper piles – if you have more than one, start with the worst offender and go from there.

DAY 5 – Shred Papers: Today’s task is to shred those papers from yesterday. If you don’t have a shredder, call your local bank to see when they have a shredding day and save your confidential papers for that.

DAY 6 – File Paper Work: Today’s task is to file paperwork from sorting the last couple days. If you don’t have a filing system, start with an in and out basket.

DAY 7 – Sort Mail Daily:  Today’s task is to sort mail daily. Start with today’s mail and sort it as soon as it comes in. Going forward, continue with this simple habit and you’ll find that paper clutter will be at a minimum.

The Simply Clean Decluttering Challenge is intended as a way to encourage daily decluttering and slow and steady progress. You’ll get what you put into it – I promise that even if you just do a little decluttering, you’ll be closer to having a decluttered home than you were before you started. Keep going and enjoy the process!

Go here to download the FREE Declutter Challenge Checklist!

Here’s what we decluttered in Week 1:

Looking for a simpler approach to homekeeping? Pre-order my NEW book Simply Clean!

If you like this FREE printable you’ll love my HOMEKEEPING SOCIETY and the organizing printables in my shop!