De-cluttering is a step-by-step process.
Decluttering is a worthy goal, no matter where you are on the clutter spectrum!
That’s because clutter doesn’t get rid of itself, AND wherever it exists, it eats up energy and time. If your space is cluttered, everything you undertake is going to take just a little bit longer.
And I’m not talking about physical space alone. Decluttering your digital space relieves stress and saves you time, too.
Doable Chunks
You may have heard about the 52-Week Money Challenge. It’s a savings plan that starts very small and builds, week-by-week, until, by the end of the 52 weeks, you have saved $1,378!
It’s an incremental approach to achieving a goal; each week you save $1 more than the week before. There’s lots of information about this challenge on-line, and if you’re interested in trying it. There are also printable forms available that you can print out and use to track your progress.
The 52-Week Money Challenge was a very interesting idea — but what about applying the same concept to decluttering? So often, what happens with clutter is that it gets to a point where it completely overwhelms us. Daunted and discouraged, we don’t even know where to begin.
Decluttering in Doable Chunks
But what if you started with removing just one bit of clutter from your space? Now that’s something that anyone can do.
The next week, you’d clear out two items…and so on.
You can see where this is heading, can’t you? What I love about the plan is how it builds — and not just in terms of concrete actions taken. What a plan like this does is create a shift in mindset and motivation.
As the number goes up each week, you’ll find yourself thinking ahead to what project you’ll undertake to meet your weekly quota. You become more and more adept at decluttering as the weeks go by and the challenge grows!
Decluttering – Keep it Flexible and Fun
A key to maintaining momentum when it comes to something like this is keeping self-criticism out of the mix and being open to flexing from week-to-week in order to stay on track.
By ‘flexing’ I mean that this is your decluttering challenge and you can move through it in the order that works for you. Maybe you are very excited about getting started and want to begin with a big project that you find you have time for on day 1. Go ahead and get rid of LOTS of items — and check off the corresponding week on your chart.
You don’t have to start with Week 1 if your burst of decluttering energy puts you at Week 46! The goal is to check-off each week over the next 52 weeks, and you can do it in whatever way makes sense for you.
So, are you ready for a decluttering challenge? To help you move ahead, I’ve created a decluttering template you can download and use immediately to start achieving your goals.
Just click here to download your Decluttering Challenge Template and get started.
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..we have done a major declutter – it’s amazing how good you feel afterwards!
Hi Caro – It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Congratulations – and now the task is to maintain your gains! 😉
I have not heard about the 52-Week Money Challenge but am intrigued by it,. And I’m a big advocate of “clear it out, let it go!” Good tips!
Thank you, Leslie – I am glad you liked the tips!
Paula,
Thanks for this encouragement. I find that clutter reminds me of an orchestra out of sync. As I remove the clutter a little at a time, the harmony it creates is wonderful.
Hi Pat –
I love your image of the orchestra out of sync … and the creation of harmony as you de-clutter. This is powerful and empowering!
This is a GREAT idea. Small bites daily would make the whole process much easier to approach. Love it.
Hi Francene – I am glad that you like the idea. Small bites really DO make it easier. Here’s to your time success!