Be forewarned: I’m wordy. This post is written by me. This post is wordy.
March Decluttering Reflections
A few lessons learned and some reminders:
+ A little goes a long way
+ 5 minutes makes a big difference!
+ Consistency is key!
+ Clearing the clutter = freedom
+ We’re more committed when we’re invested.
+ We can do more and be more when we are held down by clutter.
+ We need one another.
You can read some of the backstory in these post:
+ The Great Declutter of 2019
+ Lessons + Tips Week 1 | Week 2
+ The Great Declutter of March 2019
April Challenge Groups
I will offer 2 challenge groups in April even though Level 1 was a clear choice of the people. So why am I offering TWO again? Because I truly believe if you have skin in the game, you’re invested and will follow through. There was a dip in participation due to many factors…the “high” of a new year is over, discovering that reaching a goal can be hard work, things are busy this time of year (and taxes!)…and whatever other excuses we may be giving ourselves.
For some who really want to clear the clutter, they will make it happen, but for most of us, we need some accountability, a little tough love, and lots of encouragement. This is how my January and February groups were like and so much more progress was made in comparison to March. I would hate for all that work to go to waste, so I’m going to keep going. Hopefully, some will continue and others will join in.
We’ve already established that it is not an overnight transformation and there is not magic, just consistent effort. So who’s in?!
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Level 1 will be very basic. Level 2 will be like the January and February groups but I am asking that you make a donation to one of three organizations (see below) in order to join because I had not originally planned to do this challenge for more than one month and I need it to be a win-win to take the time to post and check-in. It can be in any amount. Again, from personal experience, when you are invested, you are more committed.
Keep reading!
+ LEVEL 1
Level 1 is a basic accountability group. It will consist of no more than 20 members. Simple instructions will be given to get started. There will be daily posting for members to check in with their progress. My interactions in the group will be minimal but I will provide support when needed.
- Fill out this form.
- Join the Facebook group with the link at the end of the form.
- Check in and cheer on group members.
+ LEVEL 2
Level 2 is a more involved accountability group. It will consist of no more than 10 members. We will start with 2-3 days of Prep + Plan sessions. There will be Daily Check-in posts + Weekly Check-up posts along with tips and ideas.
- Make a donation to an organization of your choice below.
- Fill out this form.
- Join the Facebook group with the link at the end of the form.
- Check in daily and cheer on group members.
+ BADJAO BRIDGE (sea dwellers in the Philippines)
– Lighthouse Learning Center and Health Clinic
– Property for sea-dwellers
– Livelihood skills training for 300 young men and women
READ MORE | DONATE
+ HOPE UNLIMITED (youth in the slums of Brazil)
– Completion of the City of Youth Center for Excellence
– Development of Hope Mountain Community Development Center
READ MORE | DONATE
(If you can’t decide between the two, you can donate HERE for the GIVE2023 campaign.)
+ BLESSINGS BAGS (homeless neighbors in our community)
– Melody’s fundraiser to put together hygiene bags
– They are given out during our church’s biweekly Chance of Showers
program where those in need can come shower and receive a meal.
READ MORE | To donate, email me moyfam16 at gmail.
My Personal Progress
+ January – avg 15-minute decluttering sessions = decluttered boxes of stuff!
+ February – 5 minutes (1 file folder) a day = 4,554 pieces of paper GONE!
+ March – 5 minutes a day in the office = no count but LOTS decluttered!
And for anyone who is interested in my progress this round, I decided to commit the whole month to decluttering one of the three clutter beasts in our home. The three places I’ve avoided all these years are our file cabinet, closets, and the garage. This month, I started tackling the office closet and since I’m on a roll in here, I decided to keep going and work on the rest of the office a bit at a time. I’m sure it’s just round 1 of 2 or 3, but it’s a start and progress is being made!
This was the previous homeowner’s daughters’ room so we kept the decals up and kept it a clothes closet when the girls used this as a bedroom. We’re not sure of long-term plans, so this will do for now.
Since the last pic above, I’ve already moved quite a few things around but it’s progress! The first pic below you can see the before pic in December when we were prepping to rearrange and declutter. The second pic is already old as the keyboard is cleared and more things are out! 🙂
I’m also happy to report that the group members are making progress too. They are not having to move as many things when they host gatherings or when they have guests stay in the guestroom. They can see their coffee tables and counters. Things don’t fall on them when they open closet doors. They won’t have overdue bills because of paper piles. And we are all a little less anxious when we enter our homes.
I hope you’ll join us on this adventure!