Anybody else in the mood to get rid of stuff? Maybe the closets won’t close anymore because there’s too much junk in them. The junk drawer has turned into the junk room. Perhaps there’s only a trail through the room to bed. Then this 52 week decluttering challenge is for you my friend! With 52 easy steps your house can be junk free and organized by this time next year. It’s simple, quick, and not too overwhelming.
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The Urge to Purge
I go through phases of wanting to get rid of all the things. It normally happens around the beginning of the year and again in the spring. I can fill the trunk with donation boxes without a problem. The urge to purge comes on fast. The problem is that it ends just as quickly as it began. There’s always something too overwhelming to finish, so I quit and wait for the urge to strike again.
The first thing I purge is always socks. It is simple, quick, and I feel accomplished when I’m done. This motivates me to do another decluttering task. By now I feel a bit more confident, so the task is bigger. Books are usually next. That’s unfortunately where the urge to purge ends. I get rid of a few books, look around, get overwhelmed, and eventually give up. I have too many books to get it done in a single setting. I tell my husband it’s not hoarding if it’s books. It’s a library. He disagrees.
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About the 52 Week Decluttering Challenge
Decluttering the entire house can seem like an impossible task. The outcome seems desirable, but the work to get there looks insurmountable. The 52 week decluttering challenge breaks down decluttering the entire house into manageable baby steps to be done each week. This challenge is designed to help you declutter your house by this time next year without feeling overwhelmed by the task.
52 Week Decluttering Challenge
We are going to take different areas of the house. Some take longer than others. Feel free to mix up the order. You may want to do the outside and garage section during the warmer months for example.
Decluttering the Bedroom
Decluttering Challenge Week 1: Socks
Decluttering Challenge Week 2: Shoes
Decluttering Challenge Week 3: Casual Bottoms
Decluttering Challenge Week 4: Work Bottoms
Decluttering Challenge Week 5: Casual Tops
(Now check out my post on how to fold clothes to save space)
Decluttering Challenge Week 6: Dress Tops
Decluttering Challenge Week 7: Coats & Jackets
Decluttering Challenge Week 8: Hats, Gloves, & Scarves
Decluttering Challenge Week 9: Undergarments
Decluttering Challenge Week 10: Pajamas
Decluttering Challenge Week 11: Other Clothing
Decluttering Challenge Week 12: Bags
Decluttering the Bathroom
Decluttering Challenge Week 13: Body Products & Makeup
Decluttering Challenge Week 14: Towels
Decluttering Challenge Week 15: Medicine
Decluttering the Storage Closet
Decluttering Challenge Week 16: Sheets & Blankets
Decluttering Challenge Week 17: Movies
Decluttering Challenge Week 18: Candles
Decluttering the Kitchen
Decluttering Challenge Week 19: Tupperware
Decluttering Challenge Week 20: Cooking Utensils
Decluttering Challenge Week 21: Baking Utensils
Decluttering Challenge Week 22: Cups & Mugs
Decluttering Challenge Week 23: Nonperishable Foods
Decluttering Challenge Week 24: Cold Foods
Decluttering Challenge Week 25: Frozen Foods
Decluttering Challenge Week 26: Small Kitchen Appliances
Decluttering Challenge Week 27: Pans & Baking Dishes
Decluttering the Office
Decluttering Challenge Week 28: Notebooks & Paper Pads
Decluttering Challenge Week 29: Writing Tools
Decluttering Challenge Week 30: Craft Supplies
Decluttering Challenge Week 31: Paperwork
Decluttering Challenge Week 32: Charging Cables
Decluttering Challenge Week 33: Old Electronics
Decluttering Challenge Week 34: Books
Decluttering Challenge Week 35: Other Office Supplies
Decluttering Challenge Week 36: Printed Photos
Decluttering the Living Room
Decluttering Challenge Week 37: Toys
Decluttering Challenge Week 38: Games
Decluttering Challenge Week 39: Puzzles
Decluttering Challenge Week 40: Video Games
Decluttering the Garage & Utility Room
Decluttering Challenge Week 41: Yard Tools
Decluttering Challenge Week 42: Garden Supplies
Decluttering Challenge Week 43: Hand Tools
Decluttering Challenge Week 44: Power Tools
Decluttering Challenge Week 45: Outside Toys & Games
Decluttering Challenge Week 46: Outdoor Decor
Decluttering Challenge Week 47: Cleaners & Chemicals
Decluttering Challenge Week 48: Cleaning Supplies
Decluttering Electronics
Decluttering Challenge Week 49: Downloads Folder
Decluttering Challenge Week 50: Pictures on Phone
Final Stretch
Decluttering Challenge Week 51: Junk Drawer
Decluttering Challenge Week 52: Anything still cluttered
How to Do the 52 Week Decluttering Challenge
Questions to Ask During the 52 Week Decluttering Challenge
When sorting through items ask yourself some questions to help decide what to keep and what to declutter.
Is it in good shape?
Have I used it in the last year?
How many of these items do I need?
Does it still fit?
Can it be replaced for less than $10?
If the answer to any of these is no then keep the item. Don’t get rid of things just for the sake of getting rid of them.
Tips for the 52 Week Decluttering Challenge
Be particular about what you keep. Is having seven rubber spatulas worth not being able to close the drawer? For me it wasn’t, but I wanted more than just one. So I kept three and got rid of four. I didn’t want to be cooking and not have what I needed because the only spatula was in the dishwasher. Do what works for you.
Feel free to break down the 52 steps even more. Maybe doing all of your bags at one time is too much. Break it down throughout the week. Do purses on Monday, suitcases on Tuesday, and backpacks on Friday. Baby steps are best. They head off frustration and increase motivation. Completing a task motivates you to do the next task.
Once you’ve purged, put what’s left away in a permanent home. Getting rid of expired makeup is great, but leaving the rest on the counter defeats the goal. Put what’s left away so that your brain sees the task as complete and releases the endorphins to make you happy about it.
If you are decluttering for multiple people, like children or a spouse, have them help. Their input is important. Getting rid of somebody’s favorite hoodie because it looks worn out will only cause trouble.
FREE 52 Week Decluttering Challenge Guide
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