Declutter for Lent With a 40 Day Challenge
Declutter for Lent With a 40 Day Challenge! What could be more fitting!
I do not observe Lent because I am not Christian, many of my friends observe Lent though, and think How to Declutter for Lent is a great idea! Because I always celebrate any kind of decluttering challenge count me in!
The days of lent are a season of reflection and self-discipline and this is a great time to start on a decluttering journey!
In this 40-day decluttering challenge, we’ll explore how the act of simplifying our lives can not only create physical space but also cultivate a sense of mental and spiritual clarity.
Decluttering Requires Consistency
People constantly tell me how overwhelmed they are when they think about decluttering. Decluttering can be a manageable task if you follow a few tried and true suggestions.
Taking small steps works. Knowing what your goal is and working toward this goal is a key piece many don’t consider. Instead of overwhelming yourself with a massive cleanup, focus on one area or category each day. This gradual approach ensures that you make steady progress without feeling stressed.
Wednesdays are Decluttering Day!
Why not start decluttering on Ash Wednesday and make it a new habit to designate each Wednesday as your official decluttering day? If you declutter one item a day during this 40-day decluttering challenge, you will certainly see a noticeable difference in your living space!
This feeling carries over into your mental space. This is a win-win. If you don’t believe me I challenge you to try this! What have you got to lose except clutter?
Following a plan for a new challenge makes it fun! After the challenge when you have a good start at decluttering make every Wednesday going forward a structured routine to your week and prevent the buildup of unnecessary items. By dedicating a few minutes once a week to a quick declutter will make all the difference.
Use this mid-week break to assess your living spaces, identify what you no longer need, and make room for positive change.
One of the biggest culprits of accumulating clutter is not maintaining your home on a regular basis. By designating a little bit of time on Wednesdays you will be able to easily keep up with home maintenance.
The 40-Day Declutter Challenge
Lent spans 40 days, providing a perfect time frame for a decluttering challenge.
Each day, commit to identifying a specific number of items to declutter – whether it’s five, ten, or more or less. As you let go of physical items and fill up bags of stuff, consider the emotional and mental weight that you are releasing as well. This is true if you declutter an entire room or just a little bit in a small space.
Start preparing now! Get a box of heavy duty trash bags and download the 40 Day Lent Declutter Challenge checklist.
Donating to a Charity or Thrift Shop
One person’s unwanted items can be another person’s treasure. Instead of discarding usable items, consider donating them to a good cause. There are many charity shops. This not only helps those in need but also aligns with the spirit of generosity that Lent encourages.
I have already done the research for you about which charities make donating very easy and often free of charge to pick up all kinds of items – large and small. Decluttering when you know another person, possibly down on their luck, will benefit from generosity makes your decluttering worthwhile.
After all isn’t it all about helping each other?
Sentimental Items
Start decluttering with easy items. I suggest everyone practice with their kitchen junk drawer. This is easy because throwing out pieces of string and worn elastics may be easier than going through a box of old family photos.
This also will show you how good a quick win will feel! You can declutter a junk drawer in a very small amount of time. The good thing too may be the drawer will close easier and it will certainly be easier to find things the next time you need them.
The decluttering process often involves parting with items that hold sentimental value or emotional attachment. While it’s challenging, letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose can be liberating. Face the hard decisions with the understanding that creating space for new experiences and memories is a worthy endeavor.
Community Support when Decluttering
Challenges are more enjoyable when shared. Find a friend, family, or church member to do the challenge with you! Think of all the neat things a group of people could gather from their homes to donate to their favorite charities! You can start a new tradition for the Lenten season!
It is nice to do the 40-day decluttering challenge with others because you get to share your progress, seek advice, and connect with others. Group challenges are fun and community support can be a valuable motivator when the going gets tough.
Check out Declutterbuzz, a free and private Facebook decluttering community. We cheer each other on and have some laughs!
Remember one of the primary reasons your big goal of decluttering your home falls short is folks are inconsistent. Consistency does win the decluttering challenge.
Letting Clutter Go
As you progress through the 40-day challenge, reflect on the liberating effect of letting go of excess stuff. Experience the joy of a simplified living space, reduced stress, and a clearer mind. Use this season of Lent not just for physical decluttering but as an opportunity for spiritual and mental renewal.
So arm yourself with a heavy-duty large trash bag or whatever works for you and room-by-room pick up items and decide if you will keep, donate, or maybe sell this object. There is no shortage of categories you can start with.
What good is the small appliance doing for anyone sitting on a shelf in the basement?
Someone would love to have this. You can donate the gently used unwanted items and toss out the threadbare towels, for example, and end up with a clutter-free space!
Some ideas of things to go through:
Baby items you no longer use
Old towels and unused bedding that still has life left in it
Bottles of toiletries you no longer use
What about all those old magazines you are saving? What are you saving them for?
When was the last time you went through all your old books?
Do you have a bunch of cookware you no longer use?
Old stationary and cards
If you used to craft, sew or knit and no longer do – pass it on!
With fewer items it is easy to stay organized and avoid frustration when you can’t find something.
If you are like many people you have accumulated a large collection of water bottles. They take up a ton of space! Keep your favorites and donate the others. This way they will not go to waste and may be enjoyed by someone who may otherwise not have one.
When you think about it, don’t you have a lot of stuff that you don’t love and that you don’t use?
For a lift you could regularly, like for an hour on a Wednesday afternoon, go through your unused clothing and donate pieces to a person or charity in need. A lot of people seldom receive new possessions and will appreciate a gently used, new-to-them piece of clothing. I love donating things!
Embracing a decluttering challenge during Lent is a powerful way to align your actions with the spirit of simplicity, self-discipline, and giving. By taking small steps and connecting with a community, you can turn this challenge into a transformative journey, helping others less fortunate and live a clutter-free life.
At the end of the day you have to admit helping others is what counts.
Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.
For more Declutter Buzz & Freebies check out our safe and private Decluttering community on our Facebook page. We are a safe and private space of like minded folks tackling this all encompassing clutter thing once and for all. No shame allowed and always a few laughs!
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