Dishes in the sink, dirty clothes in the laundry, toys on the living room floor or shoes scattered all through the garage…does this sound familiar? We all take pride in our home, but at times it can all get too much. Perhaps you have a baby and struggling to create a new routine, you’re working full time, you’re wanting to spend time with family rather than cleaning, you’re not feeling yourself, lacking energy, you’re a hoarder… or maybe you are just overwhelmed with everyday life.
The clutter around us can have a negative impact on our ability to focus. However, by clearing the clutter from your home, it can help you feel clearer, mentally as well.
CREATE SOME GOALS
I want to ask you a few questions. Write down your answers as this will help you to create goals for yourself and determine what’s most important to you, where to start and what you want to achieve in your home.
- When at home I want to feel…
- I want to spend more time doing…
- I want an area of my home I can…
- The most disorganised cupboard in my home is…
- The first thing I want to organise is…
- I don’t need anymore, but can’t part with…
- I always lose…
- I want to be organised by…
CREATE SORT BUCKETS
During the next 4 weeks we will be organising, purging excess items and throwing away rubbish. In order to do this have on hand a number of buckets, bins, bags or storage containers. Create your own labels with marker and paper, or download and print the labels available in the downloads below, you will need to label them as follows:
Keep: something you find in one room that belongs in another. You could put it away once you find it, but if you are time poor put it in the keep bin to put away later
Donate: an item that you no longer want or need but is still in working order for somebody else to use
Sell: items that you can sell if you are going to have a garage sale or sell online
Rubbish: items that are broken, can’t be mended, doesn’t work or is rubbish
[wlchecklist name=’PreTask5′]
DOWNLOAD
Print the goals printable below to help you determine what areas you really want to concentrate and make a start on in your home.
- MY GOALS PRINTABLE –place in your folder in front of the first divider so you always have your goals at first glance – click to download.
- SORTING LABELS – put onto some storage containers to help you sort – click to download.
295 comments
My Goals done and a long list of things I would like to achieve by the end written up too!
I have yet to do the containers/tubs as I will be discussing the best items to buy with Hubby as we will be using them as toy storage once the challenge has been finished! Two birds/one stone!!!
Thanks!
great idea, love repurposing!
Hi,
Not completely related to this topic but I wasn’t sure how to contact u….
I am still waiting to be accepted to the closed FB group. Could you please accept, trying to get myself organised
🙂
Hi Natalie, have you managed to get into the FB group yet, I have added everybody that has registered.
Yes Kat, got accepted yesterday, thanx!
Just writing my goals then ready to go 🙂
Great 🙂
Done
Awesome accomplishment, you are ready for Day 1!!
Yep in WA too but am sooo looking forward to starting the challenge on the 13th as I am away till then. Have saved everything to my desktop till my return and then POW!!! BAM!!! I am into it. Looking forward to the facebook catchups to see how everyone is going.
Wonderfully organised Jenny, have a great time away.
I have uni exams 21 Oct and 27 Oct, but I wouldn’t miss this. I am a single mum with 3 kids, 18, 14 & 1. My life is so chaotic, I am so looking forward to getting my life in order. Thank you so much!!
You are so very welcome Estelle, remember you can come back to the tasks so you have time to study end of October 🙂
Ok, goals all sorted, just not sure what size bins/buckets would be suitable and are they permanent? And where would they be stored?
The only permanent one I have now is the donate box, which I keep in my wardrobe. Depending on how much clutter you have around the home will help you determine the size.
Files and dividers bought, print outs done, ready to organise. Bring it on!!
Terrific… just a few weeks and we will start!
I’m away for a week in the middle :/ So i’m going to do as much as I can before I leave, then hope that my husband and kids don’t wrech the house while I’m away! Then come back and do the last bit 🙂
Perfect Joanne! It is great how this challenge allows you to catch up at your own pace.
Cathryn I’m in sa and exactly the same! We are also away for 2 weeks until 12th October. I. Doing the pre challenge tasks and then starting on 13th hoping to try do a couple extras on so e of the smaller task days to play catch up 🙂 can’t wait to get some organisation my house sucks big time at the moment! 4 kids, 2 adults in a 3 bedroom, 1 living/dining/kitchen area!!!!!!!
This will help you and make cleaning life so much easier for you, Aimee. And the great thing is you can go at your own pace and catch up if needed.
I am in WA and the school holidays are later here. I will not be able to start my challenge until 13th October when school goes back.
ooh no Cathryn, sorry about that, if I left it any later it would go into time for organise for Christmas. You can still follow along though, you will get some great ideas ready for when you tackle your space.
Just need to decide where will leave all my labelled sorting bags! Nearly ready to start the challenger!
At an easy access place Emma so you can add to it gradually through the day without any effort
Yes, me too! Glad I will have someone to do these tasks with. Feeling left behind!!
Yay well done.:)