The Why: Because a challenge is a fun way to encourage some accountability. And because decluttering every single day changes the way we think about our stuff and causes us to take pause before bringing something new into the house.
And because it is way more fun to give that cute pair of shoes away to a good friend who will wear them than a thrift store!
The How: I created a facebook photo album on my personal facebook and called it 100 Days of Decluttering. Every day I find an item around my house that isn't getting as much use as it ought to and I take a picture and post it to the album. My friends can comment on the pictures to call dibs on an item they want. It has been a lot of fun, and in the 13 days I've been doing it I've freed our home of a pair of shoes, and extension closet rod thingy, a basket, some decorative items and throw pillows, a number of books, clothing accessories, various dishes, a lamp and a vase.
The Verdict: I find I'm thinking about the items in my home through a whole new lens. When I open my kitchen drawers, I actually see the items I don't use instead of ignoring them all together. I'm also a lot less inclined to buy something I don't truly need with the daily reminder that eventually stuff just gets in the way.
And it's fun.
We are doing one small thing every day for a year to create a simpler, quieter, more intentional life. Take a moment to read all About Us, check out The Rules of our year long project and sign up for our RSS feed or "like" us on facebook so that you can follow our journey to radical simplicity!
Great idea!! It's probably a good thing I don't live near you or know you in real life b/c I'd be tempted to ask for your stuff - I see 3 things I really like! LOL.. but that won't help me simplify if I get rid of my stuff only to replace it with other people's stuff, now would it? :) (Monica)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a brilliant idea. I need to do this!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun and doable!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had that many family members and friends where I live, but since I do not, to the thrift store my items go. I have a permanent paper bag near my entryway for our family's giveaways. It is usually full every two-three weeks, at which point we make a trip to the thrift store and begin again with the empty bag.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, and I'm trying to get my 5 year old to do it to. I just tried to create a photo album on facebook, but it won't let me. I haven't done this since the new timeline, can you give me a suggestion at all on how to do this? Do I need to have pictures to start it? I wanted to create the album then add pictures through my phone.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to have a photo to start an album. If you go to "photos" in your sidebar, and then "my albums" and then "upload photos" it will start a new album for you...you can name it and enter a description then.
DeleteI LOVE this idea. I'm off to set up my own on my FB page. What a fantastic idea!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. It definitely seems doable! I will put the items in a box and take it to a local Value Village.
ReplyDeleteI have been in serious decluttering mode since I started following your blog and I LOVE the idea of posting the pics to Facebook so I have the chance to give them to a friend rather than haul them to Goodwill. Thank you for the idea!
ReplyDeletewhat if you are already planning a fall yardsale? Could you save it for that, and if it doesn't sell, give it away?
ReplyDeleteThis is AWESOME! I am going to start as soon as we return home from our trip. I will let people know I can brin the item to church, work or mommies group or they can come over and get it! And if they come over they can stay for dinner! I know this isn't a "challenge" but you should make a button for it - I would totally flaunt it!!
ReplyDeleteFor a second there I thought that puppy in the advertisement was one of the items you were giving away. I was about to call dibs!
ReplyDeleteI started this last night and already have a few items gone! Feels fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of Freecycle? I use it so much! You post an offer for something you want to give away, or a request for something you need - and it's all for free. For example I've given away children's clothes, shoes, a computer printer (and I'll be listing more as I declutter), and I've received a new all-in-one printer, maternity clothes, and a GIGANTIC box of gorgeous yarn.
ReplyDeleteIt works really well for when you don't have a lot of family and friends in the area in which you live (like us).
Thanks for your fabulous blogs! I just found you and it's already October, but I think the Allisons will make 2013 the year of less at our house!!
Hi Sarah! I tried freecycle, but had some VERY frightening experiences. I finally stopped using it all together after one person who was supposed to be giving me tomato cages didn't have any tomato cages and didn't want to let me leave their backyard!!! Freecycle is a nice idea, but be careful!
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