Creating Success Beyond the Declutter Challenge
Last Updated on December 26, 2017 by lydiaf1963
After 28 days of decluttering your home, I hope you’re all smiles when you walk through the door. The key to maintaining that smile is to continue what we’ve started in the challenge…a little bit every day.
You are in control of your environment
Keeping my space tranquil and clutter free doesn’t come easily to me at all. In fact, it’s something I have to consciously work at; and my standards are not the same as my grandmother’s or even my sister’s. Everyone has their own level of mess tolerance. For example, for my kitchen to work efficiently I have to keep the counters cleared and the dishes caught up. So that’s where I put my focus…my floors are swept, but not always mopped…and I have a clean workspace.
During the challenge, I emphasized the importance of making the bed every day. For me it sets a tone, like a starter’s pistol in a race. Smoothing the blankets is the official start of my day, just like a cleared sink marks the end.
A made bed was my starting point. You may have a different one. An empty sink, a cleared desk, whatever it is that signals to you that you’re taking responsibility for maintaining a tranquil home. Pick one or two areas and put effort into keeping up with them.
Build on Habits to Expand Your Serene Space
Eventually keeping those two areas cleared will become second nature and you’ll be ready to expand. For me the next step was the laundry. For you it may be keeping the dog hair under control. Add another when that becomes regular. Little by little the haven you began in the bedroom will expand into the other spaces and eventually your entire home.
You no doubt have other areas you’d like to declutter. Some, like the kitchen and garage, will be addressed in future challenges. Others can be approached using the same method used in this challenge:
- Clear off any flat areas.
- Put any items that belong in other rooms back.
- Pick an area to work in for a half hour or so. Sort items into keep, discard and donate piles.
- Clean each area as it’s decluttered.
- Return the keep items. Throw away the discards and immediately carry the donations to the car for drop off.
- Pick another area in the room and continue.
- Give the room a more thorough clean when finished.
Need a little more structure to help keep you motivated? Check out this post of decluttering resources I trust for more ideas.
Don’t miss these other posts in the Tranquil Home 28 Day Declutter Challenge:
Transform Your Bedroom Into a Haven in One Week
Create a space fit for royalty in your bathroom!
A Living Room with Space for Family
An Office That Works for YOU
Creating Success Beyond the 28 Day Declutter Challenge
Photo credit: © Dewitt | Dreamstime.com – Pillow
You are so right, not slipping back into old ways is important and just a couple of priorities each day really help.
I find our living room is easiest to keep nice, it’s lovely to walk into when there is no mess left lying around and the cushions are straightened etc. It only takes a few minutes and it is nice to have a room you know is calming when you walk in.
I also like to make the bed but my kids don’t seem to prioritise that at the moment!
It’s so nice to have an area where you can relax without having to think, “I really should take care of that…” My son’s all grown up and he doesn’t make his bed. He’s just going to sleep in it again, he says. When they were teens I just shut the door to their rooms, lol.
I’m in the middle of the decluttering challenge! Can’t wait to get to the point where I am maintaining. Thanks for the motivation:)
Stick with it, you’ll get there! 🙂