If you've hung out long at all on PPP, you know I love a good challenge.
And a de-cluttering-let's-get-rid-of-all-the-excess-stuff-becuase-it's-making-me-crazy challenge?
Sign me up for that. 🙂Â
So, for the next five days, I'm challenging myself to get rid of 100 items every single day, meaning by Friday I'll have a whopping five hundred items in my house gone.
WOOHOO!
The biggest reason I was inspired to declutter this week is because we spent the weekend at my in-laws house going through 60 years of stuff.
And I want to make a wee bit of extra space to bring some of the really good stuff in without feeling overly cluttered too.
We found the neat glass price list from my husband's grandfather's barn (he was a glass cutter in the fifties), and I brought home a jug my mother-in-law has had in her basement since I've been in the family.
Â
(I need to clip some fresh greenery for the jug ~ that's on my to-do list but it's been raining out today!)
We also brought home a few special silverware pieces, and I realized that I've had tons of stuff in my own home that I really don't love, so I wanted to make room for things I really do love in our home right now.
Dining room drawers before and after ~ I promise the pics don't show just how much better it is in there!
I gave away most of the glass and silver platters we received as wedding gifts but haven't used a single time in 22 years.
But I hung onto the kids faux silver tea set because my kids always loved a good dress-up-tea-party when they were little, and I wanted to hang onto the memories of the things we really do use.
I also went through a ton of books and really pared them down too.
And while I was cleaning, I found this happy little plain white milk jar and fun wooden spoons I've had forever and added them to my little coffee corner. I didn't spend a penny, but they've made me happy all day long as I've walked by!
If you're like me and could use a little less clutter in your life, I encourage you to take on the challenge with me ~ it's such a simple way to feel better about space (and really, just about everything), and I am so glad I decided to get started as soon as I got a little motivation to get to work. Leave a comment and let me know if you're joining me ~ I love hearing from you!
Not sure what to do with all the stuff after you declutter? Check out DeClutter and get paid in cash for old CDs, books, phones and more the day after your items are received. Go HERE to learn more!
Andrea Hill says
I’m in…and more
Libby Kemmer says
We sold my moms 3,000 sq foot house when she passed away and about 75% came to my house. Great stuff but lots of it. Furniture,China,silver,linens, party supplies,baking supplies …..so now if her stiffness and mine. Lots to de clutter. Game on…
Melissa Worrel says
I have been wanting and needing to decluter my house. With my girls turning 19 in a few days and my son will be 13 in Nov. Need to get these unwanted or no longer needed things out of my house!
Susan says
I’m in! I actually started yesterday by clearing out notebooks, binders and old flashcards from school. I found a notebook in which I started a food diary dated 2006!
Just ridiculous how much clutter I’ve hung onto over the years…
Meredith says
I have been decluttering this summer also, but I still have plenty to get rid. I will join you are this journey! Thank you!
Mary Coder says
Hi Laurie!
I’ve been fond of PPP for I guess a couple yrs now & I love everything you do! ( Wish I had your Energy!) But actually with your 5 day challenge I have been thinking about doing something similar it’s called Swedish death cleaning and although it sounds morbid and my daughter freaked out when I told her about it it’s really not all that bad as it sounds it’s really just getting rid of clutter and like you said things that you don’t absolutely love or need and it’s actually a very responsible thing to do do not leave your children or friends with your mess when you kick the bucket! In all reality it is that but it’s also just a really darn good declutter of your home and environs and I really have been meaning to do something like that. I’ve just had an oral surgery Friday though so I’m afraid I can’t join you in this challenge but I’m hoping to do one of my own soon as I also have kid going off to college too in, ohh…about 14 days or so and then I’ll have an empty nest! and hopefully, maybe, a less cluttered nest eventually! Good luck on your challenge and the drawers actually do look alot neater! Great job! Your friend~Mary
Laurie says
Mary – I’ve never heard of that but it really does make sense (honestly, I think seeing all the stuff they held onto is what made me think we just don’t need this much stuff!) I hope you continue to recover and that your kiddo does great heading to college – praying a beautiful day for you today!
Alice says
Laurie,
Great job on those drawers they look fantastic.
We decluter frequently as we live in a 2 bedroom condo with no closet space. That luxury belongs to others.
When things start to pile up its time to go through and weed out, usually once a week we have to go through stuff that accumulates and find a place to put it or donate it.
Beth Watkins says
I’ve been decluttering all summer! I finally had a garage sale after 5 years and I just keep finding things to donate after my sale. I don’t think I’ll make 100 per day at this time but I know that I’ve already gotten rid of so much more than that already! It feels great to let go of so much. Thanks for the spur to keep going!
Laurie says
I love that Beth – it’s crazy how good it feels to declutter (and I love doing it in the summertime when it’s warm enough to get out and tackle things like the garage too!) Thanks so much for sharing – glad you’re joining me!
Alicia says
I wish I could find the motivation to de-clutter, I have way too many “squirrel” moments!
Laurie says
Oh my goodness – I do too Alicia! Today I’m going to set a timer twice for 30 minutes to really force myself to focus (an hour is just too long!) We can do this!