Try This At Home: Don't Get Organized
Did you plan to become organized during the month of January?
How successful were you in going through closets and drawers?
- Did you purchase new storage and organization systems?
- Develop a color coding system?
Fear not if you are one of at least 70 % of individuals who set a goal or resolution but do not achieve it by the middle of February. Today’s try this at home tip has nothing to do with organization or storage.
In fact, today I am going to encourage you to not get organized. I love beautiful storage systems. I love color coding and order but the reality is if we are having to purchase major storage systems, we probably have too much stuff.
As I previously stated, I’ve become aware that I truly do have more things than I need in my life. Although most of my items are organized and stored, many of these items have not been used in years. I am hanging on to house decorations because someday I may use that wall hanging or I may want to use those candles I purchased for a bridal shower (at least 8 years ago).
If you are finding yourself like me, with much more than you need, I want to encourage you to join the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. Anne from White House Black Shutters has completed this challenge each year since 2011. The challenge is each day (with the exception of Sunday) you will remove a bag (the bag size depends upon you) from an area of your life. Ann uses the days of Lent, which this year begins February 10. Ann provides printables to create a guide for spots you want to declutter or clean. Additionally, it is your choice if you donate items, recycle or simply throw away. Of course, you do not have to begin this challenge specifically on Lent and can join in at any time. Regardless, I encourage you to take some time to examine your surroundings and explore if your original goal needs to become organized or if you should begin to declutter.
Will you try this at home with me? Let me know.
I won’t lie, Sheryl- reading the title of this post gave me a bit of anxiety haha! I am one of those people who has the organizers and uses them. (A bit of OCD, perhaps.) BUT- I love your idea of getting rid of things! Christian and I talk about this all the time- often times the more you have, the more there is to worry about and stress over. Good Will knows me by name 😉
Oh Emily, I’m right there with you in regards to organizers. I own my OCD but there are things that I have simply just to have. I’m focusing upon what brings me joy, why do I have and what am I going to do with it. Honestly, I know I have the ability to get rid of 40 bags – towards the end it just might become difficult. (GoodWill is my friend). XOXO
I didn’t get organized I just tried to move! Haha. Next up is purging. I did before I move but I figure that as I unpack more (it has to be done in stages because the third roommate has until March to move out) I can get rid of even more things!
That’s a great plan. I remember when I moved that there were items I questioned why I bothered to pack. It feels good to let go of “stuff”.
I got more organized in January! I finally organized all of our old statements and insurances into files!! It felt good!
Good for you! I know that had to feel good.
Luckily a lot of my “stuff” didn’t make the move to Texas (mostly because I didn’t want to pack and decided I didn’t need extra things!) but it’s crazy to me how quickly things pile up. I’d love to try the 40 bags in 40 days!
I would love to have you do the 40 bags in 40 days with me! I always purged when we moved but after 5 years, we’ve accumulated “stuff”.
We did a little purging but could stand to do a lot more. I am pinning this for us to do again! As I’ve said before, we’re both loving this series!
Thanks girl! I just have way more than I need and it’s sitting in closets waiting to be used. Someone else can use it – or it needs to go. I’m so glad you all like this series. It means a lot to here it.
We’re moving at the end of this month and I feel like this is so perfect for us!
Moving is the perfect time to purge and let go. Good Luck with the move!
I have done this before. I cleaned out 50% of the stuff in the boys closets. This year I am working on our bedroom and closet. It seems to be were everything that doesn’t belong anywhere else ends up. Sigh.
Oh Kim, I think we all have a room that becomes the “storage room”. That’s what happened to our office and guest bedroom. My goal is to work on those rooms first. Hope it’s been a good weekend.
🙂 Whew! I wasn’t sure where you were going with this post, but I know you always have the best advice. No surprise, there was a pot of gold at the end. 🙂
I could totally benefit from a good purging.
XOXO
You’re not the first one to be surprised at the title! 🙂 I’m sure as you are settling in that you are finding things you will want to purge. It goes feel good.
I LOVE the idea of 40 bags. Very cool. I have an obsession with throwing things away/getting them out of my house. we keep stuff to a minimum, but somehow I ALWAYS find more stuff.
I know how you feel Morgan. I sometimes question where the things come from (because they weren’t there a day ago). My goal is to truly follow the challenge and I feel lighter just thinking about it.