“Decluttering Challenges” are all the rage at this time of year.
I get it. Bloggers know that this is the time when organizing-related website traffic surges.
People are ready to declutter. The post-Christmas mess combines with time off work and excitement about changes in a new year, and decluttering fever hits.
A decluttering challenge at this time of year makes sense.
Really. Big plans and commitments to get rid of X number of things over the next month or year are exciting to make. Joining in with others who are as excited as you are might just be the thing that makes it all stick this time!
But I don’t host decluttering challenges.
Anymore.
I’ve tried it, though not to the extent of many, and I noticed something.
My people aren’t so much into commitment.
Or maybe, we aren’t into being told what to do.
I know that’s a big part of (at least one of) my personal problem(s).
Declutter! Yep! I’m in!
When I’m in the mood to declutter . . .
But if I have something else I need to do, or even something else I want to do, a decluttering assignment showing up in my email inbox makes me narrow my eyes and think unkind thoughts about the sender.
I think a big part of this is that those of us who struggle with clutter on the level I did are easily overwhelmed. There’s just too much. And someone telling me that today is the day I have to test all the batteries in my battery box might just send me over the edge.
I mean, who cares about batteries if my master bedroom floor is still covered in gift wrapping scraps??!?
And, what’s this about a battery box? I’m supposed to have a battery box??!? My batteries are scattered through the house in random drawers and on random surfaces!
That’s all hypothetical, of course.
Let me be clear that these challenges are good things and there are a whole lot of people in this world who thrive within challenges that send them assignments like that.
But I’m here for the ones who don’t.
For the ones who’ve failed at such things so many times that they wonder if there’s any point in even trying.
The ones for whom hope feels foolish.
I’m all about helping you declutter. But my goal is to provide ways for you to declutter in the moment.
Not to plan to declutter or commit to declutter, but to declutter now and make a big impact. While the urge is strong and the opportunity exists.
That’s the beauty of decluttering. Unlike “getting organized,” which I know from experience offers fleeting success, decluttering sticks.
Once something leaves the house, it’s gone. That particular item can’t re-appear in a different closet or trip me in the middle of the night.
And things being gone makes my house look and feel and function more organized.
So I’m here to help you get stuff out when you want to declutter. And help you understand that the more you get out, the more you’ll be motivated to keep getting stuff out.
Visible decluttering success will keep people like me going more than falling behind on assignments.
So how do you go ahead and make decluttering progress now instead of planning to make it later?
Grab a black trash bag (black, so the people in your house can’t see what you’re putting inside of it) and start throwing away trash in the most visible area of your home.
Take Easy Stuff to its already established (decision-free) home.
Stick DUH clutter into a donatable Donate Box.
Ask my two decluttering questions about every single other thing in this visible space you’re tackling.
Purge down to the limits of your space using The Container Concept.
If you need more instruction than that, check out these resources:
Note: These resources all work in whatever amount of time you have available. If you have five minutes or five hours or five days to spend decluttering, you’ll make progress and never a bigger mess when you follow my strategies.
Decluttering at the Speed of Life – My book about decluttering and how to work it into your real life. I teach you the mindset changes you need to make about clutter and your home, and teach you my five step process listed above. I then apply that process to the different rooms in your home. I also teach you how to help other people in your life declutter, and tackle the very real issue of emotional attachment to stuff.
How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind – My book for the person who is overwhelmed in her home. I teach you what it takes to get your out of control home under control and keep it under control. There’s decluttering in this book since that’s a big part of keeping your home under control.
The 5 Step Clutter Shakedown – This is a video course in which I teach you my five step process through visual demonstration. I originally called it The 5 Day Clutter Shakedown, but I wish I hadn’t. It’s not necessary to set aside five days. You can see progress if you only get through the first step.
Free Stuff
Almost a decade of blog posts are here on this website. I have recorded the successes and failures and moments of understanding of my own deslobification process and they’re here for you to read whenever you want.
Get started by learning how to declutter without making a bigger mess, or reading about the moment when I figured out how containers are actually supposed to help you, or just read from the beginning.
I have talked into a microphone in my living room for almost 100 hours now, and you can listen to all those thoughts/ramblings in my podcasts. They’re about 30 minutes each, so you don’t have to commit to all 100 hours. If you don’t know what a podcast is, it’s like a radio show you can listen to on your smartphone or from your computer, and there’s a video on this page that explains how to listen.
Get the five steps in a free printable when you join my newsletter.
Happy New Year, Dana, and I’m so thankful to have found you when I did. Our home is so much better than two years ago and so am I. God bless!
Ironically, a friend just shared Peter Walsh’s 31 day challenge with me today. Just thinking of HAVING to do something 31 days is a row is enough to put me off. I told my friend he overwhelms me and besides, I like your way better. She insists Peter will help me because your way only hides clutter. She obviously doesn’t get you! Nope, because I’m not going to watch his videos and be overwhelmed! Will get started with your suggestions in the new year – I’m taking a short Christmas break right now, not letting the mess bother me. And I keep Christmas up through Epiphany, so not ready to declutter Christmas!
‘Hides clutter’??!! That person obviously has no idea! 😆 Don’t let them bother you.
I don’t know who Peter Walsh is, but I sign up for a couple of challenges every January. Not because I will follow everything they post to the letter, but because I find some of the information inspirational or helpful. “Decluttering the battery box” (LOL) doesn’t work for me because I buy batteries as I need them, I don’t even keep spare batteries around. But something else could be mentioned that I could give some thought to, or change how I’m approaching a problem area.
I think Dana would be great at running a challenge. 🙂
I’ve been following Peter Walsh since he was on a TV show called Clean Sweep back in the 90s. He’s a professional organizer, more or less. I do a mashup of Dana, Peter, and a touch of Konmari, because they all have helpful or encouraging or motivational bits.
When I read “test all the batteries in my battery box” I thought I was on the wrong site! Then I kept reading and felt better that you don’t have a battery box either. (And if you do, don’t tell me! Mine are scattered all around the house.) I’m so glad I found your site 3 years ago. I’ve read both books, and check your site every day. Thank you for all the hope, and for explaining the container concept and the one in one out rule. Those have always stumped me until now. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Yes! I got an email about an amazing declutter diary that gives you a prompt each day that only takes five minutes to complete. The example being ‘declutter your gardening equipment – gloves, spades, trowels etc.
Right now, for me, that is not a five minute job. And now where i need to put my energy. This challenges have never worked for me because i need to pick what i need to work on, no someone who has never met me. Which is why your ‘start at the front door and work into the house’, and declutter in layers not into piles, are the most effective skills i have learnt for keeping my house under control.
Thank you for being there for those of us who feel like failures sometimes! Who jump ship on the challenges because we run out of umph on day 2.
I hope 2019 treats you very well!
I am always and forever one of your people. Here’s to a new year of new beginnings!
Thank you for everything. At some point fairly soon, I hope, my visible areas will be decluttered. But I have boxes and boxes of papers stacked in closets. Some are labeled “later” so I feel like there is no urgency. I also have boxes that say “photos”.
I know that the “photos” boxes have what grabs the heart. Wondered when you move things like handling photos/momentos in a way that brings them to life and use ahead of mundane things like many “later” boxes.
I used to feel I had to postpone things like organizing photos until all the dreck was sorted out.
And how do you handle photos? Here’s where affiliated links could be really helpful!!!
Also, by the way, I learned from Jean Moroney that one should incorporate fun/soulful/recharging activities into our lives on a regular basis (I try to do soul line dancing at least once a day) and not wait until every little thing on our to-do list is done. And in fact, incorporating on a regular basis, those soulful activities (which Steven Covey calls emotional bank deposits) increases our ability to face the emotional bank withdrawals of our regular life.)
So I am pretty new here and horribly overwhelmed by the c**p I have collected over years (I’m 71). And I do work at it — how many of the challenge lists I have downloaded or my daughters (very kindly, mind you) have shared. BUT the thing you wrote about decluttering your batteries — that is so true! Many, many of these lists show me that someone doesn’t get it! The lists show that you have to be decluttered in order to declutter! Also seeing long lists I am supposed to adhere to discourages me already. Like one program promised just a few minutes a day — but their list of everything you have to do first was so long, even though it was things one does (including putting on shoes), I was tired just reading the list! Perhaps I picked up your blog in one of those “one more time” moments of desperation — but I like your attitude.
I am a nana closing in on 67, and feel this comment a LOT! Also pretty new here…but this is THE one that has helped me start. Still a long way to go, but I’m making progress now. And that is def. better!
I have your decluttering book and it’s great. It feels like it was written for me.
Thanks for this blog post. Really interesting read. And it makes me feel better because all our batteries are together in one drawer. (They’re in there with 471 other random things but there you go!) 🙂
I’m on day 2 of a decluttering challenge. I made a commitment to donate at least one box of crap every month and this challenge is helping me by focusing in on one place at a time instead of going through the house hunting for things we no longer need. Today the task was a closet, so I did our “guest” bedroom and was amazed that the majority of crap in there was from my time in college. I also have some prom dresses hanging up which is cray cray cause I’ll be 30 in May! I totally see how “challenges” can be overwhelming for some though. I’ve already noticed a lot of people commenting in the group getting hung up on the fact that we were supposed to work on a closet space today, but they aren’t done with the bathroom they started yesterday and can’t accomplish everything in the minimum 30min we’re supposed to work. I keep trying to offer encouragement when I see these people comment! It’s so fascinating how we live our lives thinking we’re the only ones living in clutter and slobbery lol, but oh how wrong we are about that!
I like the once a month donation commitment.
It’s a commitment I could actually do. I collect stuff, or have it in mind (repeatedly). But actually making a date/deadline for a minimum of 12 times per year works for me.
Thanks for the idea.
Maybe everyone else already knew this, but I recently discovered our local libraries take prom/bridesmaid dress donations – it was so freeing to me to finally let those go to someone who can use them!
I found the prom dress (which I actually made in 1976 and haven’t sewn since), and am having a hard time donating it. I’m 63 though and have grands so I may hang on to it a little bit longer at this point. lol I have some others that I can donate. Thanks for the idea, Laura.
Your writings and podcasts are so helpful, yet non-shaming. I love that you help us to accept ourselves as we are, but give hope and practical suggestions that work with our distinct personality functionings (not sure that’s a word). You keep me laughing at my ways, yet give me hope that there can be a semblance of order when I use your very do-able suggestions. Thank you!!!
Dana, your methods have been life changing in our household! We have four kids, and this is the first Christmas in maybe forever when I haven’t felt so overwhelmed with all the new stuff needing homes! I keep reminding myself: one item at a time, make a decision on it, and one-in-one-out when we need to make room. And instead of stressing over too much stuff, I FINALLY feel free to enjoy the new games and activities WITH the kids. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This is so true. Tell me to do something and I’m going to rebel. I had a bit of a lightbulb moment the other day. I don’t put things away when I use them. I’m a put it here for now kind of gal. So for the past couple of days I have been putting everything away that I use. This has resulted in clean countertops and now I can wipe them down. My kitchen has been very tidy now I have extra time to sweep the floors and wipe the appliances. It has moved to other areas of the house, clothes are being hung up and the bathroom surfaces are cleared. Such a simple thing and I don’t feel stressed or anxious. I’m actually enjoying this. I hope it lasts. I hate challenges so thanks for not doing them!
Evidently, my mind immediately goes into the “I don’t want to, I don’t have to and you can’t make me “ mode when presented with a “decluttering challenge “ list. When I found Dana and A Slob Comes Clean, I knew I’d found my tribe! My husband and I are both a put it here for now sort of person. But once I disciplined myself to put it away instead of put it down for now, I found that everything became neater and tidier and I was encouraged to do more and more. And the funny thing is, is my husband seemed to have been infected by my actions with the same “bug”, lol! A few seconds here and there save hours and hours of frustration and shame down the road.
For Rainey, I love the phrase “Don’t put it down, put it away.” If it can become a habit, it can change your life. I’d say I’m about 75% successful after lots of attempts. I’ve given up on perfect. On some things just getting them in the area where they belong, rather than piled up in a public area, feels successful and keeps my house more “the doorbell is ringing” presentable. Keep up the good work. Less stress and less anxiety are great goals.
omg finally. i have always felt that decluttering advice is for people who already have what would be by my standards a clean house/flat 😀 i’m so happy i came across your blog.
This is why you are my people.
Dana, how do get everyone else’s stuff out of my house? My brother has stashed stuff here in between jobs out of state, my 42 yo DS has boxes here from college and from moves out of state, my grandchildren have a zillion toys here, mostly well maintained and organized, but they want me to save them for “their kids.” As such,my house is cluttered but primarily with my scrapbooking supplies and other peoples stuff. Anyone who scrapbooks knows that you have a ton of stuff for when you get the time. I no longer replenish my scrapbooking supplies, but rather concentrate on using what I have here.
I just would like for Barbie and Ken, their townhouse, sports cars and jets to go elsewhere along with Little petshop playsets and my little pony castles, slides and herds of ponies. My grandson only wants me to keep his tub of potato head items and army men!
My husband thinks we should save every worn out towel in case the basement ever floods, as well as every comforter ever used in case we move….
In all honesty, I only have two old mugs that I can get rid of but am still using because of how they feel holding them, and some clothes that i have saved for “dirty jobs” ie gardening and painting….I use everything else throughout the year.
This post is another example of why your approach is good for me. You GET me. I haven’t gone gang busters since reading your books but your ideas are always in my head and I relish the little victories. And I’m much better at doing the dishes everyday!
I sorta , kinda wish you hadnt teamed up with Cas and Dawn . Feels a liitle like you have gone ” over to the other side.” Life is hard . You never make it feel harder. After listening to Dawn’s minimalist videos U feel 2 things every time : guilt and a sense of overwhelmed . Ugh . Please dont go eat with the cool kids .
I really thought about doing the 30 Day Decluttering Challenge this month, but then I remembered….I’ve got to do the dishes. Every night. The decision is already made.
I’ve been decluttering a bit as I go along, because now on Day 6 of Doing the Dishes it doesn’t take me as long. Last night EVERYTHING fit in the dishwasher, including my big mixing bowl, skillet, and every last utensil. Now I find myself decluttering and cleaning as I go around the house checking for more dishes to add to my not totally full dishwasher.
Thank you for giving actual advice to help me dig out of the slob house I’ve been building for 4…10…33 years.
This is for me. I am a slob still working on coming clean. I have signed up for several challenges but after years of trying I am still “getting ready” Still looking for that free week or heck even weekend. I am still waiting…. With 5 kids, a husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a full time job and going back to finish my degree full time. We never have a free minute. I have FINALLY changed my thinking thanks to you. My house is never going to be perfect like my mom’s and that is okay. I am never going to have a week to purge my house. So 10 minutes at a time it is. Somedays more somedays only 5. But I have committed to at least 5 minutes a day. And I am finally okay with that which to me is the BEST improvement.
I love this: “But if I have something else I need to do, or even something else I want to do, a decluttering assignment showing up in my email inbox makes me narrow my eyes and think unkind thoughts about the sender.” That’s so on pointe! We don’t want to be told what to do!!! Deep down, and we don’t want anyone to know, but we are low-key oppositional defiant! We will cut off our own nose to spite our face!
Roughly two years ago I started with two little bits of advise…do your dishes and make your bed…and that has evolved in to other little things that have turned into regular little things. Two years later, I’ve gone through many black bags, cleared out tons of stuff I know longer need or want, and wake to a much calmer and tidy house. The take away…little things turn into big changes before you know it! Thanks Dana!
I found you three years ago and would love to report that my house is totally decluttered and wonderful. Truth is, I live in my daughter’s house and am not in control of everything (just my stuff), but I am making progress. I do challenges, but open-ended and on my own terms. I am practicing putting stuff away immediately after using it, and teaching my 12- and 16-year old granddaughters to do the same. Your container concept has saved me. Keep up the great sharing and inspiration, please.
My mind works like yours does. I’m 82 with a degree, but I flunked housekeeping. I’ve been trying to keep the dishes done after supper; dishwasher only gets run every so often after it gets full. I’m getting really good at what I call “puddle washes”: 1″ of water in the dishpan. It really does work. “Start at the door and neaten before bedtime” is in the works. Spruce up the bathroom will come about week 55.
I too use minimal water (I stack the dishes inside the largest one and work down). I am very slowly working on getting the dishes done every single day. And dishes math is a thing. It is getting easier to do the dishes after dinner each evening. Done, draining, ready to put away in the morning. I have failed at so many decluttering challenges which start with the presumption that the dishes are already done!
I am being kind to myself and doing what I can. Instead of feeling like I am failing, I feel like I am getting better at something I was not taught how to do. My mother couldn’t teach me because she didn’t know how either. We have intergenerational shame. Her mother (had a maid first because her status allowed it and later because she was unwell, but she didn’t teach her children how to clean or tidy)
Asking myself “what are you doing?” helps me to focus and do that thing only. Asking what is in my hands has me able to put it where it belongs instead of putting it down. I am learning, ever so slowly.
I love you. Yep, I don’t like being told what to do LOL.
I have to laugh because I’ve been following you for almost exactly 11 years at this point, and I’ve been following one of those “decluttering challenge” people(I won’t name names), who I actually found on your reccommendation, for almost as long! I was determined that this year was going to be THE YEAR that I actually buckle down and do the challenges. I printed the calendar, and I put it in a binder and then…. we took a week vacation to visit my in laws right after the new year started. So now the challenge is talking about decluttering kitchen cabinets for the third week in a row and I’m just like, if there’s one thing I DON’T need to declutter its my kitchen cabinets. My kitchen is where I spend most of my time when I’m home, so it’s already pretty well managed. I mean there’s always room for improvement, but I don’t need to spend 3 weeks reorganizing my pantry when I already have a pretty good system in place for using ingredients up in a timely manner. There was an entire day last week dedicated to throwing away broken objects! But because I utilize your strategy of throwing away trash every time I tidy or clean, and not putting back objects that I can’t or won’t use, I don’t have broken objects in my home. When I apply your decluttering strategies consistently, I don’t need someone else to tell me where or when to declutter. Yes my bedroom is worse than the living room because I live by the visibility rule. it wouldn’t make sense to spend a week doing my kids closets if there’s nowhere to sit to watch TV! I know this is an older post, but the timing of this arriving in my inbox was impeccable to remind me of why you’re the only decluttering/organizing/cleaning expert who has made a REAL difference in my life.
I have been working my butt off to get our house decluttered & functionally organized, according to how we operate. My kids & my husband have been gawking & questioning me about my decisions. My kids have a laundry day. Our system has been in play since January. My kids have been parting & organizing their things as well. Our successes finally had a chance to shine, in the most horrific way possible this week. 4 out of 5 of us got a stomach bug from a family gathering. Since the house was clean & laundry done; We were able to recover from the madness faster than we expected! I have used ideas & techniques from you & the 2 organizational mavens above. Walmart plus was helpful as well! Is my house perfect? No, but it’s functional!