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Life without Wincing: My Decluttering Challenge Results

4/27/2019

12 Comments

 

Decluttering Your Home:
for a Life without Wincing


Earlier in the week, I told you that the goal for decluttering your home is to get rid of the wince. And I offered a free printable decluttering tips checklist to get you started with at least one space in your home, encouraging you to join the decluttering challenge starting that day and have some company as you tackled your scariest space.

Well, I chose a corner of my room where a mess grew right after we moved a bookcase out of it, placing it somewhere else. Everything that got left behind, ended up on the floor, making a mess.

It certainly made me wince, but I didn't do anything about it for longer than I care to admit. I was actually pretty excited about the challenge, because I tell you, the buddy system has always worked well for me.

But I felt like I really had my work cut out for me. Not only did I need to get everything off the floor, I had to find new homes for it all. I couldn't just shove it all in a bag and hide it behind something. Mmhmm, I've done it.

This time, though, I wanted to commit to finding a new home for everything and clearing the space. Read on to find out how it went.

But first, I just want to remind you that if you want some expert help in decluttering your home, the free decluttering challenge is available for the rest of the day, today.

Last Chance: Free Decluttering Challenge

Today is the final day for the free decluttering challenge.

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Decluttering guide, Dana White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life is offering a video, workbook and challenge to help you tackle the room or spot you are most afraid of, so you can finally get rid of the wince. But today is the last day she is offering the challenge, so get it now.

I'm offering a checklist, too, for getting started with decluttering without feeling overwhelmed. Click on either highlighted link to join us in the challenge.

I have been participating since the challenge began on the 23rd, and I'm going to reveal what I've got to show for it. But first, get a look at the scary space I had to deal with this week...


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From Scary Corner to Queen of All I Survey


I know - it's dark and blurry!! But trust me, you're better off not seeing it clearly. It's a corner of the room with a wicker chair, and that bunch of stuff I mentioned that got dumped on the floor.

Where was it all going to go? Here are the 5 steps I took to get rid of the wince...

(1) I threw away a lot of the paper, envelopes, etc. and put the ones I wanted to keep into a folder where I was already keeping notes and other things I wanted to save. That folder now lives on my desk.

(2) The lamps have a new home in my storage unit. At some point, I will move and then, will use them and find a new home for them there.

One of my criteria for keeping things was that I'd have to buy replacements for them if I got rid if them. I don't want to have to buy new lamps, so I kept them, even though I don't need them right now.

The other things on the floor were either thrown away or moved to a new home. So there is nothing in my room, now, that doesn't belong. It has been completely decluttered!

(3) I moved the wicker chair to a bigger wall, and moved the desk into that corner, and I love the way it changed the way they both look in the room.

I've never thought of the chair that way before, but it feels like a chair fit for a queen, now that it's in its new home...

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I am so happy I took the challenge and decluttered my room. I got inspired to declutter my closet, too, by the way. Bonus!

And everything I learned from doing the challenge made it so easy, including the part I teach with my checklist.

I didn't feel overwhelmed at all. It was kind of exciting, actually.

Have you signed up for the challenge, yet? Or chosen a room to work on, once you are ready to start decluttering your home?

See you tomorrow!

Love, Jeanine


12 Comments
Martha link
4/27/2019 08:07:04 pm

I didn't take the de-clutter challenge but I'm happy to say I have been going room by room and making huge headway in making them look more inviting! My problem is a closet of papers but I just saw the shredder is coming to town next week so we can shred what isn't needed. Check off that and I'll have more closet space!

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Jeanine Byers link
4/27/2019 10:34:47 pm

That's wonderful, Martha! I know you'll love having more room. I felt that way after clearing out my closet, too.

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Kandas link
4/27/2019 09:36:47 pm

Congratulations! It's always so rewarding to throw out that bag of junk after a good decluttering.

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Jeanine Byers link
4/27/2019 10:35:20 pm

Yes, it is, Kansas! Thanks!! :)

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Alice Gerard link
4/28/2019 01:38:27 am

Wow, that's impressive. Still thinking about that challenge! Yes? No? I could try???

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Jeanine Byers link
4/28/2019 08:58:17 am

I hope you did decide to try, Alice, because it was such a relief to me that it went so well and was so easy. I have always had such a struggle with decluttering! I grew up in a very cluttered household and eventually, began to repeat that, so having these tips and tricks and the mindset shifts are like gold to me.

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Karen link
4/28/2019 11:10:25 am

Congratulations, Jeanine. Happy to hear your declutter went so well. Enjoy your new clutter-free space!

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Jeanine Byers link
5/6/2019 10:53:27 am

Thanks so much, Karen!! :)

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Bonnie Anderson link
4/28/2019 09:07:45 pm

I love reading about people decluttering their lives. I have done it (and re-done it). There are always places that need to be tended to, but for the most part that's how I live. Clutter stresses me. My big, bad area is my secretary desk. I can close it, but I know what's behind it. It's like a junk drawer. I don't even have a junk drawer anymore, but reading your post makes me realize I have transferred that dreaded thing to my secretary. I'll tackle it tomorrow. Thank you.

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Jeanine Byers link
5/6/2019 10:54:49 am

Oh, that's wonderful, Bonnie, that you felt inspired to tackle it. Hope it went well, and you are enjoying it, uncluttered.

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Debi Walter link
4/28/2019 10:00:35 pm

I wish I could take part in this, it is time for me to declutter my entire house. We have lived in our home for 27 years and life is evident in all of our rooms. I really don’t want our home to be full of junk for our kids to sort through someday. So not yet, but soon!
Thank you for the nudge!

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Jeanine Byers link
5/6/2019 10:56:51 am

I would start with the room you spend the most time in, Debi. No need to take on the whole thing at once. You are welcome for the nudge. After 27 years, that house could tell a lot of stories. The challenge with decluttering is finding a way to keep the memories and the feelings, without holding on to the artifacts. :)

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    Jeanine Byers

    Lifestyle blogger & hygge hermit who will help you conquer mornings & create a slower, more family-present lifestyle in a single bound.

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