Did my Life get too Cluttered?
Blog Note: I have severely disappointed one of my readers, maybe more and I am sorry. I started this declutter challenge back in Jan., 2011. We had 3 months worth of prizes added to the pile and a nice group of readers jumped on board and participated enthusiastically. Then my life took over (one kid graduating high school out of state plus open house, one graduating college, sick mom, another kid moved out, high school senior went to college, 2 kids got licences, a wedding, a bridal shower, yada-yada-yada! ) Anywho, I let the ball drop on this and I am sorry! Especially to my dear reader who is upset with me. But the challenge isn’t ruined yet…we have this month to get caught up!
So Let’s Catch up!
Anyway the deal was, you were supposed to declutter one item everyday for 365 days. Then you were supposed to give your input every month into how you were doing as your entry and I would add a prize to the pile each month. You guys did an awesome job of commenting in the first three months.
Jan. 2011 172 comments
Feb. 2011 68 comments
March 2011 101 comments
Here’s a story from one of our reader’s pictures, Jen S., that she shared on her decluttering efforts this year:
Jen S. sent this shot of her Egress before her Decluttering Efforts
Here’s Jen S. Egress after Decluttering! Amazing Right?
THE PRIZES!
The prize pile has the following items in it so far:
- $25 Pier One Gift Card (February addition to the Pile of Prizes)
- The $70 Grey Serena William Purse featured in our giveaway (March Addition)
So here’s the deal, this was supposed to be the last month and you were supposed to have 9 months of commenting. Also, I was supposed to add 9 more prizes to the pile. Okay here’s the Newest prizes:
- April Addition: Write it Down! Camping Journal ($12.95)
- May Addition: Microfiber Hair Wrap ($5)
- June Addition: Frownies pH-Balancing Complexion Wash and Rose Water Hydrator Spray ($20)
- July Addition: Latika Natural Soap: Handmade Darling Soaps ($20)
- August Addition: Faux Diamond Ring ($10)
- September Addition: 2 tubes of Motives lipstick by Lauren Ridinger ($44 retail)
- October Addition: Elf Nailpolish–5 Colors ($20)
- November Addition: Elf Eye Shadow –Multi Palette ($15)
- December Addition: Organic Shea Butter Soap ($5)
- January Additon: Juice Beauty Green Apple Hydration Mask ($10)
TOTAL: $252 in Prizes to be Won!!
Answer these 9 Decluttering questions in the Rafflecopter and we’ll find our De-cluttering Champion!
NEWCOMERS WELCOME!
Interested in joining the challenge, just fill out the remaining comments in the Rafflecopter below to jump in. While you missed your first three entries–you still can claim nine entries! Will you join us?
THE GIVEAWAY: Ends 11:59 January 23.
UPDATE: The Declutter Challenge Giveaway has ended. The Rafflecopter had 873 entries and has been deleted. Thank you for being part of this event for the entire year. See Giveaway Winners.
Blog Note: Some of these giveaways items were previously provided for review purposes. This post was not compensated and the giveaway was strictly as a fun event for interaction with readers!
Unpacking from my move 3 years ago 🙁 I still have a LOT of stuff in boxes. I’ve committed an hour a day to unpacking and purging so hopefully I should be clutter-free within the next 30 days or so.
I use different colored storage totes for seasonal items and stack them in the storage room off the garage
the granddaughter causes the most clutter
the hutch in the kitchen because it’s by the door of the garage we just put everything there when we come in the house
I do keep things that I really love or that have sentimental meaning to me. Also things that we might need one of these days – like the ankle wrap and the cane.
Storage tip: When we refurbished our kitchen, we reinstalled the old cabinets in the laundry room. It really helped declutter that space.
My favorite Decluttering Tip is if we haven’t worn it or used it for a year, it goes. (Obviously that doesn’t include things like keepsakes or photo albums.
my new room addition
My biggest challenge has been our storage shed. Each time I organize it, my husband tosses things in there or doesn’t put them back where they belong. Eventually it builds up to a big mess again. 🙁
I have no idea whether or not I’ve gotten rid of 365 things. Probably not, unless you count empty jars, boxes, bottles, etc. that I used to save for crafts and things like that.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I am sure that it is *I* who stands in my way of decluttering.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
The two main things I battle when trying to decide whether or not to keep something or throw it out are a) the emotional value (‘But So-and-so gave that to me!’) and b) the possibility that I might need it someday. I think these are probably the same for everybody.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I get really motivated by watching a show like ‘Hoarders’! Last week I watched an episode at night in bed, and I was so…er…’motivated’ that I got out of bed and found three things that I threw away! Works for me!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
For every item I want to keep and store (that is, it’s an item of emotional importance, but not something that is out and being used), I try to get rid of one other thing. That helps keep the balance, and forces me to really decide how badly I want to keep the first item.
Here’s a tip that works for me. When I am feeling a bit weak about getting rid of stuff, I watch a show about hoarders. That gives me such strong willies that I immediately start looking for things to throw out or donate!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
WEll…I probably CREATE the most clutter…BUT I also put clean it up. My husband, on the other hand, puts things down wherever and leaves them there. Which drives me nuts. So I guess he’s the clutterbug. (But all my life it’s been me, so I’m thrilled to finally be able to say it’s somebody else!)
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
The most obvious tip (and the most difficult one to live by, I think) is ‘have a home for everything’. It’s difficult because there are some things that I just can’t find a permanent home for. Some things that are used often and in various places are difficult to place, and sometimes there just isn’t room for an item’s ‘home’. Ugh…this is getting stressful!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Hmmm. I’m not sure I can narrow it down to ONE hotspot. My desk (paper) and our spare room are probably the worst, though.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I have *almost* got my OWN clutter problem under control (I still struggle with paper), but now I am even more aware of my family’s clutter! So my biggest challenge is finding ways that they can keep their stuff where it belongs…but using methods that are realistic and easy. It’s tough!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Definitely my kids cause the most clutter!
Oh I would say I got rid of more than 365 things,but I have to be very careful or I will start adding back.
aemgeg4 (@) yahoo (dot) com