An object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion. Today, we’re igniting that motion with an exciting initiative: The Deep Clean Challenge. This exercise encourages you to navigate your home and tackle the clutter that has accumulated over time.
Why do we kick off The Deep Clean Challenge with clutter removal?
If you’re anything like us, starting with easier tasks can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep progressing. These quick wins can be the fuel you need to continue on your cleaning journey.
What qualifies as clutter?
Clutter can be defined as any item that you no longer love, need, or wish to keep. And let’s be honest, there might be some actual trash hiding in there too. A quick note about family “heirlooms”:
If an item holds no sentimental value for you or anyone in your household, there’s no obligation to retain it. If it is meaningful to someone else, consider passing it along to them as soon as feasible. Remember, setting boundaries is essential!
How do you begin this week’s clutter-clearing challenge?
You might opt for a Marie Kondo-style decluttering process, but we find it more effective to adopt a fearless approach. For instance, Heather, who has six children, prefers to keep just a couple of cherished items from each child’s early years instead of trying to store a plethora of sentimental objects. After all, teenagers occupy enough space as it is without competing with outgrown belongings.
However, you might want to take a more thoughtful approach, depending on your or your child’s personality. Assess your needs before diving in, so you don’t end up regretting your strategy later on.
How can you find motivation?
Consider enlisting a friend for accountability. Share a link to this challenge with them and let them know when you plan to finish. Ask them to check in with you at that time.
If deadlines aren’t your style, try a technique known as body doubling. This method works exceptionally well for individuals with ADHD. Body doubling involves having another person in the same physical or virtual space, even if they aren’t actively participating in your task. Their presence can help keep you focused. If you don’t have anyone available, ambient sounds like an audiobook or podcast can serve as a helpful substitute.
Prefer to work independently? Give the Pomodoro Technique a try, which consists of 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. If 25 minutes feels too long, feel free to adjust it to 15 or even 10 minutes. The key is to complete that first round; initial success can provide the momentum you need to keep going.
Put on a playlist you enjoy or tune into a podcast. Here are some of our favorites:
- My Favorite Murder
- Help I Sexted My Boss
- I Saw What You Did
- Morbid
- Crime Junkie
Note: If you have children around, consider using earbuds, as our preferred content can often be a bit dark or not safe for work.
What do you need for this clutter purge?
- Large trash bags, plastic bins or totes, or even those cardboard boxes from Amazon to sort items destined for various places.
- A timer—there’s one on your phone!
- A dash of motivation.
How long should this clutter-clearing session take?
The duration really depends on the amount of stuff you have and the size of your home. We recommend setting a goal of no more than 2 hours for this challenge. Remember the spirit of this exercise: progress over perfection. Set a timer, take breaks, and reward yourself afterward. Your items won’t disappear overnight, and neither will we. This didn’t happen in a day, and at the end of this challenge, we’ll provide a rinse-and-repeat option to start fresh.
Where should you begin the clutter-clearing challenge?
It’s entirely up to you! Here are some suggestions from a previous organization challenge. Remember, don’t feel pressured to tackle them all in one day; choose one to start with and grab your bags or bins to begin.
- Start by eliminating junk mail right away. The entryway or dining room table is a common gathering spot for unnecessary papers.
- How about tackling the shoe closet or coat closet? Do you really need all those pairs of yard work shoes? Do you even do yard work?
- Head to your kitchen—can you see your counters? Open your pantry; how much of that food is past its expiration date? Dare to open your storage container cupboard—will an avalanche ensue?
- Your closet—what clothes have you outgrown or never plan to wear again?
- The laundry room? The linen closet?
This clutter-clearing challenge isn’t about becoming a minimalist. Week One focuses solely on removing as much excess from your home as you can within a maximum of two hours. The suggestions above are meant for inspiration, not as a checklist to complete all at once.
Donate what you can, recycle what you can’t, and prepare the rest for your county’s convenience site or set it aside for trash day. Pro tip: That box or bag filled with tangled cords? Best Buy often has boxes near the entrance where you can drop off those cables to keep them out of landfills.
Finally, don’t forget to share the most exciting find with us on Facebook!
Ready? Set. Go!
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