Spring Cleaning Decluttering Challenge

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't mentioned weightloss in a while.  Well, that's because I haven't been doing much to in the way of trying to lose weight.  It's been an on-going battle within myself to behave myself by eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep.  Since it's been such a struggle, I've been moody and depressed because I feel as if I'm failing....well, because that's what's happening.  I'm failing.  So, I put the entire concept on the back burner for a bit so I can focus on other things with a positive outlook! 

Other things, like decluttering this house! 

I recently read about this a "100 Things" Decluttering Challenge.  The author of the article shares how they declutter their home from time to time, using a "100 things" method.  By spending a weekend sorting through some stuff around the house and vowing to get 100 items out of the house in some way! 

I LOVE this idea! 

With spring on the way, I've been feeling antsy to do some spring cleaning.  We have a variety of problem areas that seem to attract the most junk and I am challenging myself to work on 2 of those clutter magnets! 

Our basement is the black hole for clutter.  Stuff gets tossed down to the basement to be dealt with at a later time and since it's out of sight, it's usually out of mind.  That is, until every time I do a load of laundry (our washer and dryer are in our un-finished basement) and I have to climb over some neglected pile of junk that was left there. 

The second problem spot that I want to tackle is our spare bedroom.  I want to move Grace's bed into that room and use her current bedroom as her playroom.  But none of that is going to happen as long as the room is full of junk (piles books, paperwork waiting to be filed, off season clothing, or clothing that no longer fits).  The room needs to be cleared out so we can paint, install shelves to the closet and get her bed set up in there. 

To rid our home of 100 things, I'll be sorting through items in both of those problem spots.  I've set up a box to place all items we wish to donate to our local charity shop, a box for items that I'd like to sell, and another box for items I'll pass along to other family members.  I've also got a large trash can just waiting to be filled to the brim of items not worthy of passing along to anyone else. 

So, for the entire month of March, I plan on eliminating clutter from our lives.  100 items per week for 5 weeks or until the clutter is gone...whichever comes first! 

500 items in a month might sound like a lot, but I've already started sorting through some items to sell (more about that in another post) and already have 32 items in my "sell pile"!  I've also started a donate pile but haven't counted those items yet. 

Someone once told me that a cluttered life can contribute to weight problems, so I'm hoping that decluttering my house will help me wrap my brain around this whole weight loss issue once and for all. 

Since I'm currently not driving, Joe is going to have to help out with getting this stuff out of the house.  We'll plan to drop off items to the charity shop on his days off.  Some weeks, the items may not actually get to the shop, but will at least be boxed up and ready to be on their way! 

Check back next Thursday to see how the first week of my challenge has gone!  Or if you like, join me in the "100 Things Challenge"! 


I'll be linking this post to the following blog carnivals and linky parties: 

• The Weekly Round Up