Clutter is a crazy thing – it seemingly creeps up out of nowhere and for some of us, can be really hard to manage (hi, I’m Carrie, and I am currently surrounded by clutter as I write this)! It can really weigh a person down emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Join me for a 30-Day Decluttering Challenge where we will go through our living spaces one day at a time to create a peaceful, serene, and organized home.
Decluttering isn’t just for looks, though. Did you know that clutter and a messy environment is proven to have negative effects on your health? A cluttered space can lead to higher cortisol (stress) levels, make it harder to focus, and even impact your memory. Some of us may be here just because we need a reset, and others may be here because they’re struggling with something deeper and harder to manage than a little mess – either way, if you stick with this super simple strategy for just 30 days, you’re going to feel better!
How to make the challenge work
Use this challenge however it best suits you. Feel free to move days around or skip days that aren’t relevant to your lifestyle. On the flip side, if I’ve missed something important to you, add it! I left off the garage and only touched on a small amount of digital clutter, but if those areas are important to you, add a couple of days to accommodate your needs. This challenge is totally free and should not cost you a penny, but I’ve included some useful organizing products below for certain areas of the house that can help corral the clutter and manage the mess. You can see all of my product recommendations and suggestions in one place here.
While this is a 30-day challenge, that doesn’t mean it has to be 30 consecutive days. Make it work for your lifestyle, and if you need to spread it out, go for it. Most of these activities won’t take more than an hour, although some (:::cough cough PANTRY:::) may take quite a bit longer. I have included tips, action items, and resources for every day of the challenge (you can find them in your download).
You can download the printable challenge sheet, with a handy dandy box to check off each day as you go, here (or at the bottom of this post). Ready? Let’s do this!
Here are some product recommendations for organizing your kitchen area
I have collected all of my recommendations in my Amazon storefront so you can easily see them all at once. But there are some particularly handy tools I want to mention here, too.
If you need to purchase some new food storage containers, I like these glass ones.
This pots and pans organizer is inexpensive and rolls, so you can pull it out and find exactly what you’re looking for.
For your pantry, we like these clear lazy susans to store things like bottles, popcorn, and rice. We have one in the corner of every shelf of our pantry.
I like these plastic trays to organize your junk drawer. I have these and use them all over my house.
Bathroom organization products
I use these clear drawers on my bathroom counter for makeup. Some products don’t fit inside, and I store them on top. If you have a tiny shower, these wall-mounted shampoo, conditioner, and soap dispensers are a lifesaver.
Try these products and resources to organize your closets and drawers
I love these see-through storage solutions for containing linen closet chaos while still keeping everything in there accessible.
My drawers are all really organized (truly, one of the only parts of the house I am able to keep that way – ha!) – I have underwear, sock, and tank top storage containers in my dresser drawers. But I am the only one in the house who will take care of them, so this is not something I do for everyone else. Sometimes you have to pick your battles!
I regularly clean out my closet, and when I do, I sort my clothes into two piles – donate and sell. The donated items go to local charities (google will even tell you which ones will come pick up the items from your house). The trendier items I will sell. I used to send them to ThredUp, but they’ve really changed their program so it’s not been worth it to me lately (if you have high-end items, you might try it). I have great luck taking my stuff to Uptown Cheapskate, which is a franchise and might be in your area. They buy your items right then and there for cash or store credit.
Shoes that are in decent condition can be donated. I use a really inexpensive over-the-door shoe organizer for some of my shoes (I have a lot), and I also have a couple of these. I put a few cute jewelry organizers in my storefront.
Download your 30-Day Decluttering Challenge Packet Now!
Your 30-Day Cluttering Packet comes with a daily calendar so you can check off each item as you get ‘er done. It also comes with a blank calendar if you’d like to make your own challenge or extend this one. I’ve also included a detailed list of every day with tips and a strategic plan of attack for each space. And then, what good would it be if we did all this work and let it slip back into a mess? I’ve included a habit tracker so you can stay on top of simple daily cleaning tasks to make positive changes and create a home you love.
Download the printable 30-Day Declutter worksheets by clicking here or on the black and white “download” button below. Issues with your download? Shoot me an email!
