January Declutter Challenge

Hello friends and welcome!

Today starts the January Declutter challenge where each week, we will declutter a different area of our home.

Several other you tubers are doing this in January as a collaboration. Although I am not in that group, I am following along because I want to encourage my viewers to do it too!

I’ve been a fan of Marla Cilly’s Book- Sink Reflections for some time now. It’s a how-to manual with simple daily processes for keeping your home neat and tidy. She is steadfast in that she wants you to take baby steps with her methods, especially if your home and head are overwhelmed with clutter.

It’s a great book, and if you would like more information about her, here is a link to her website. https://www.flylady.net/

Now, there is one thing that I have learned over the years, and it is-

You Cannot Clean Clutter.

Let me say that again; You cannot clean clutter.

That is why you need to get rid of it. If you find this task daunting and feel overwhelmed, below is a fun and simple way to deal with it. If you make things that you don’t want to do into a game or a challenge- it is much easier to accomplish.

1. Grab three containers such as laundry baskets or boxes- and if you don’t have containers, make three separate, marked piles for your things. Keep, give away, and throw away.

2. Set a timer for 15 minutes; I like to use an old fashioned timer, but you can use your phone if you don’t have one. (don’t get distracted.

3. Start going through a small area in your kitchen; One or two drawers at one time.

Don’t take on too much space at once. You don’t want to pull out more than you can handle in a 15-minute time frame. Do you have a pile of junk mail that needs to be recycled or tossed in the trash? Put it in the throwaway pile.

Did you find an appliance that you have not used in years? Put that in the giveaway pile.

If you are working in your kitchen- there is no need to take your things out of the cabinets and put them in the keep pile. That pile is just for items lying around, and you have not found a home for them.

After the timer goes off, take the box of Giveaways out to your car or near your back door immediately. ( you don’t want to leave that stuff lying around. If you do, you may be tempted to keep it). Throw away or recycle the trash and find a new home for your keepers.

You will be surprised at just how much work you can get done in 15 minutes; if you have more time, set that timer again and start working in another section.

The objective is to not get overwhelmed by too much at once. (That is why we set the timer)

At the end of 15 minutes, you can give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.