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!
my clutter hotspot is my desk
my fave decluttering tip is to start in one spot and stay there before moving on and getting distracted. That one small achievement will give you the motivation to continue to the rest of the house
my biggest decluttering challenge is getting started
my clutter “hotspot” is the corner of the kitchen counter
my biggest challenge was not being afraid to get rid of stuff – lately I’ve gotten hung up on the “what if I’ll need it??” dilemma – big pile of paperwork to be handled is the most daunting – on my counter
Did you get rid of 365 things this year?
Yes! and then some… although, it’s easy for us. Kids grow out of toys and clothes so fast, but I bet even if you took out all their items, my husband and I have given away 365+ things ourselves.
I love to purge!
Who stands in your way from decluttering?
My daughter. She cries when we give away/throw away anything.
What’s the biggest factor that makes you KEEP something versus throwing it OUT?
I keep things for three reasons:
1. usefulness
2. beauty
3. sentimentality
How do you motivate yourself to declutter?
My biggest motivator is that I know I can’t go shopping without having somewhere to bring the things home and put them. The less stuff we have, the more stuff I can buy… this is a vicious cycle.
What storage tip can you give others that will help them to declutter?
I like to maximize space. You can build a “loft” area in your garage to store things like the Christmas tree that you only need once a year.
Who is the person (s) who cause clutter in your house?’
Me… the crafter, and my daughter, who HATES to throw things away.. I’m pretty sure she’ll be on “hoarders” someday.
What is your favorite Decluttering Tip?
If you can manage to do it, cleaning everything out of a room, and then forcing items to “earn” their way back in (via usefulness, sentimentality, or beauty). We did this is our living room, and it was worth it… but just because it was SO bad.
our clutter hotspot is the kitchen, because that’s where everyone heads to drop everything, from backpacks, lunchboxes, shopping bags, mail, …etc.
What area of your home is your CLUTTER HOTSPOT? Why?
Our kitchen… because that’s where everyone heads to drop off whatever they might have brought home. backpacks, lunchboxes, bags from the store, mail, EVERYTHING.
What’s your biggest decluttering Challenge in the past year?
My daughter just started Kindergarten, and the amount of paper that comes home everyday is amazing. I obviously can’t keep it all… but at the same time, I can’t have her see me throw it away… I’m stacking it all in a box, and then I’ll go through it and keep the “good stuff” at some point… Hopefully. 🙂
Everyone in our house makes clutter, except my husband, he’s the perfect one out of the bunch 🙂 but we’re all getting better, he’s our inspiration!
Two tips that help me a lot are — deal with daily mail immediately! and less is more! (less decor, less stuff, less to dust, less to pick up…I’m sure you get the point 🙂 )
My clutter hotspot is definitely my kitchen counter and also by the computer! 😛
my biggest challenge this last year was keeping our bedroom clutter free and keeping my kitchen counter clutter free (because it’s where all the mail, school papers, and fruit bowl & kitchen prep happens)!
The kitchen counter/bar because it is between the front and back door. Its the biggest clutter collector.