|

The 7-Day Declutter Challenge

a green leaf in 2 corners outline text reading 7 day challenge. Green leaf is my logo

Challenges are so fun! Don’t you just love betting on yourself! If you are drowning in a sea of clutter and don’t know where to start, read on.

This 7 day challenge is so easy! I have designed a winning strategy to declutter your home for even you skeptics out there. By committing to decluttering just two items a day for a week, you can make real progress sprucing up your living space.

This challenge is a fantastic idea, because the idea of challenging oneself is a really cool thing to do. William S. Burroughs is credited with saying “When you stop growing you start dying”. This sure feels true to me.

Expanding your comfort zone is one of the best things you can do to grow. When you throw in a 7 day decluttering challenge you will be on the way to a healthier life

Why a Challenge?

Why do challenges work? Because your effort is consistent and you are holding yourself accountable. Consistency and accountability are always a winning strategy!

I’d be willing to bet some of you will want to make this a weekly habit when you see how easy and helpful this challenge is. 

I have included some ideas of easy-to-declutter items to get you started on your journey to a more organized life and relaxing home.

Why the 7-Day Declutter Challenge is a Great Idea

Manageable and Sustainable

The thought of decluttering an entire home is down right huge especially if you have been living in a home for 30 plus years, raised a family and have too much stuff!  

Many plan to spend an entire weekend decluttering. Given the choice to spend a weekend decluttering your messy home or going to the beach most will choose the latter.

The 7-Day Declutter Challenge breaks the process into small, manageable steps, making it easier to stay motivated and consistent.

Builds Momentum

By decluttering two items a day, you’ll quickly build momentum. It won’t be long until you see the positive impact in your home and be eager to continue the process. At the end of the week you will be 14 items lighter.

Think about how much progress this is. Taking small steps work. We all know starting is usually the hardest part, so pick up an item close to you and decide if you want to keep it or toss it. Do this again and you are done for the day!

Accountability

Committing to a 7-day challenge creates a sense of accountability. When you know you have a specific goal to achieve each day, you’re more likely to follow through. We all love a win! And we hate what we may consider a fail.

By committing to declutter every single day you’ve got skin in the game and will want to succeed.

Benefits of Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to decluttering, and the 7-Day Declutter Challenge helps you establish this crucial habit. 

You will begin to declutter without even thinking much about it, like brushing your teeth. Being consistent in decluttering your home has really big benefits.

Consistent behaviors become habits. Read that again. Consistent behaviors become habits. This would suggest the habit of decluttering and staying organized will become ingrained. This may be the very last time you will ever have to face a big decluttering job!

Benefits to Decluttering

A challenge is a great way to motivate yourself to once and for all live the way you dream of living

The benefits to living in a clutter-free environment are too many to mention in this writing. When you are reminded daily that it is possible to live a clutter-free life, you will!  You are creating a peaceful and organized space where you can relax and recharge and you will want to maintain this life style. 

Time and Energy Savings

Consistent decluttering means less time spent searching for lost items and cleaning up clutter. You will spend far less time cleaning because you have adapted home organization systems.

No more having to move piles of stuff around to clean around and under! This frees up time and energy to enjoy doing the things you love! Who wants to clean when they can go to the beach!

Improved Productivity

An organized space allows you to focus better and be more productive. You’ll find it easier to tackle tasks and projects when your surroundings are clutter-free.

It is my way of living to take a minute and clean up after each task. This eliminates big messes. Plus I need my work spaces clean before I start my next project.

Enhanced Well-Being

A clutter-free home can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in your space, leading to increased peace. 

Some people feel too embarrassed to invite friends to their homes due to too much clutter. This sounds terribly lonely. Surely this is not good for our health and well being.

This post may contain affiliate links for which I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

Making it a Weekly Habit

After completing the 7-Day Declutter Challenge, you’ll likely be hooked on the benefits of a clutter-free home. Here’s why you’ll want to make it a weekly habit:

Maintaining Order

Regular decluttering ensures you will never have to face the overwhelming task of decluttering again. This in itself is worth its weight in gold! Clutter is so much easier to manage when you are consistently addressing it.

Another trick when you are living a clutter-free organized life is to be mindful when purchasing new things. Before you purchase an object ask yourself if this is going to add to your clutter and one day end up in the landfill? If it isn’t functional or beautiful why spend your hard earned money to buy it?

Continuous Improvement

With each week, you’ll notice your home becoming even more organized and inviting. You’ll be motivated to keep going and maintain the progress you’ve made.

After you declutter a drawer or two you may even want to make the drawer more organized by adding new  drawer organizers

Lifestyle Transformation

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up; it’s a lifestyle choice. Making it a weekly habit will help you embrace a more minimalist and intentional way of living. An added perk of decluttering is your mental health will be better too.

Easy-to-Declutter Items

Not sure where to start? The good news is it doesn’t matter where you start! Just start! Pick up the item right next to you. Do you want to keep the thing or toss it in the trash?

Maybe you would like to gift the thing to a friend or donate it to a charity. If you choose to keep it -put it away! If there is no dedicated space for this item, make a space. 

Here are some easy-to-declutter items to kick off your 7-Day Declutter Challenge.

If you are the type of person that loves to-do lists make one! Some people love spreadsheets! If this is your jam, by all means, open up a Google document, make a spreadsheet and track your progress!

Expired Food

Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer to remove expired items and anything you no longer use. This is so easy it shouldn’t even count! Much of the decluttering process is this simple. 

Clothing

If you want to live a clutter-free life you’ve got to address all the closets. For clothing closets begin with the clothes you haven’t worn in the past year. What about the pile of clothes you have been planning to repair, are you ever going to fix the holes, sew on the button or let the seam out? Take the things to a tailor or get rid of them!

Donate or sell gently used items that no longer fit or suit your style. Facebook Marketplace and Yard Sale groups are easy ways to make a quick sale. 

If you want to donate clothing your local charity shops will be grateful. Also Freecycle.org is easy and quick.

Old Magazines and Newspapers

Do people still even read hard copy material these days? If so recycle or donate old reading materials that are collecting dust. Period. You are never going to read these things again.

Unused Kitchen Gadgets

Lots of people like to start the process of decluttering in the kitchen because it is generally seen as the hub of the home. If you have kitchen gadgets or utensils you never use, consider giving them away to someone who will use. Have you ever actually used the utensil that scoops out little melon balls?

Are you still using your air popcorn maker or fondue set? Get rid if them!

Toys and Games

Children’s toys and games that are no longer played with can be donated or passed on to others. Toss the games with missing parts.

If you want to make this a teachable moment engage your kids while going through toys explaining some children have very little and would love their used toys.

More Low Hanging Fruit

Junk mail
Old Christmas cards
Cleaning products that you don’t use
Icky sponges


Broken and outdated computer and phone charger cords
Old phone covers that do not fit your new phone
Get rid of all the old makeup you don’t use.
The OMG or junk drawer in the kitchen contains a gold mine of stuff you don’t use!

Organizing

Get rid of stuff or put it in its right place. If there is no dedicated space to house stuff when not in use you will live in clutter. Most of us do not need a professional organizer.

We just need to get rid of all the stuff that is no longer useful to us. Clean one small area at a time. Decluttering is this simple.

The 7-Day Declutter Challenge is a fantastic way to transform your home and embrace a clutter-free lifestyle. By decluttering just two items a day for a week, you’ll experience reduced stress, increased productivity, and enhanced overall well-being.

Plus, with consistency, you can make this a lasting habit, continuously improving your living space. So, take the challenge and get started on the path to a more organized and peaceful home. You’ll be amazed at the difference this will make in your life.

I am setting you up for a win by decluttering only 2 objects a day. Hey if 2 objects is too many, change the challenge to declutter 1 object a day! Your secret is safe with me.

Celebrate

Making this one decision to start this decluttering challenge deserves a hearty handshake and big pat on the back! Kudos to you!

headshot pic of author

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! We will have a few laughs too!

To see more articles like this, please like and follow me. Thank you!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *