I am loving #40bags40days, the challenge in which you’re supposed to get rid of 40 bags of junk in 40 days.
Well, it’s Day 11 and I am right on track.
Last time we discussed this was Day 1, when I got rid of 5 bags. Since then, I gave a bag of kitchen stuff to my mom and threw out another bag of things including a ridiculously large collection of Tupperware tops that had no matching bottoms. I also recycled, um, a bag full of bags. Don’t laugh. I know you have them, too. (Confession: Those bags in the picture? I’m keeping them, ha ha!)
Then I tackled the kids’ art supplies since the kids are now 22 and 25, and the paints and markers will be dried up by the time I have grandchildren.
I packed up one bag of supplies for my friend, Ruth, to take to the children of St. Lucia on her upcoming trip with Global Volunteers, and I dumped two big bags of assorted crap.
So, I am up to date. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment to lighten the load in my house, and I love love love the photos, comments and emails you’re sending me of your progress. The pictures are hilarious, and it is such a relief to know I’m not alone in this!
I guess, though, I should admit why this has been so easy for me so far and why I’m really doing #40bags40days.
This:
I know. It makes me nauseous, too.
This room was supposed to be my office when we moved here almost 17 years ago. Instead, it’s turned into the junk room. I can’t seem to get it into shape because, well, I don’t really have a good reason why, but I’ve vowed that this is the year I do it. In fact, this is the 40 days I do it.
Honestly, I could probably get 40 bags from this room alone but cleaning all those other little areas has been a good excuse for not doing this. I’ve shared before how, when I have something I have to do, I’m very productive about other things instead. So I’ve done a great job on other areas of the house because I’ve basically just been avoiding this room.
But I’m going in now. And I’m starting with that couch because I have a plan.
Wish me luck and if you don’t hear from me in the next couple of days, send someone to look for me. I may be under a pile of books — or just sitting on the newly-cleaned couch, reading one.
I totally need to do this. There is so much junk lying around this house.
Here, too. I blame it all on the kids 😉
Wow. You are making a lot of progress. I’m doing the challenge, too. But I’m a couple of days behind, so I need to do more than 1 bag a day to get caught up. All my best to you!
I know this feeling. Our guest room has become our junk room and I want to clear it out so much!
I would love to do this challenge, but I would totally try to be an over achiever and do all 40 bags in 1 day lol.
I hear you and I feel your pain. I’m not doing the challenge but I am doing the work…because we have a renovation coming and i have to!
Wow, here is to you and getting the clean up done.
what a nice challenge you are working on, I should try something like this to declutter
Ok I need to join in on this challenge, seriously! I have stuff all over my house and garage that I really need to get rid of.
Way to declutter! I think I need to take this challenge too!
If I had to study I’d be making a snack for myself. If I had to do the laundry I’d be busy studying. You get the idea. I’m like you! Doing something else.
You crack me up with your 40 days, and I for one am living vicariously through you. Because I need to clean out my closets.
I think I’ll go read a few more blog posts now…
I need to try the 40 bags in 40 days challenge. I could probably fill all my bags from my garage. That’s where everything seems to wind up.
I so need to do this! You are my inspiration!
I have some things I could stand to part with. Since it’s going so well for you I might have to try something similar!
I need to do this! With so many rooms in my house! I would start with the play room and then my kitchen. NEED TO DO THIS.
I need to to this. I did manage to clean out my closet and room over christmas holiday but now need to tackle all the other rooms. It’s exhausting just thinking about it.
This is a great idea. I totally need to do this too.
Good for you! I need to do some cleaning out and you’ve motivated me to get on it this weekend.
You are making a lot of Progress. Bags are one of those things you keep thinking you need ( but you don’t ) then it turns into a huge pile of Bags
We recently did my daughter’s room and came out with 5 bags of unused things. I need to move on to my closet. I bet I could come up with 5 more!
I really need to get our house cleaned up this way.
I have been cleaning out my house. I remove bags and it still is full! Good Luck!
Great job sticking to your goal! I’m just the opposite I throw stuff I end up needing away because clutter makes me itchy haha!
My home isn’t so cluttered, I make sure to get rid of what I don’t need after every month!
Junk papers <— my trouble. I stack them to file or go through later. 'later' seems to never come.
Great idea. I really need to do this.
LOL, I love your post and I hope you didn’t get buried underneath anything. I really couldn’t do this challenge because I don’t have any clutter. My husband calls me the “unhoarder” and he is right. I can’t stand to have anything lying around or out of place. If we haven’t used something in 2 years or less…out it goes. I have regretted this a few times in my life but not many.
I really need to do this challenge! There is SO much I could get rid of!
Great idea to clean up my house. Need to follow this challenge ASAP 😛 All the very best
This attempt at restoring organization and order is so impressive. You are doing great. I have a few areas in my home that I need to tackle, too.
I love purging! I did this last year and the only place left to clean out is the attic.
We purged when we moved but it’s time to do so again I think. I would actually gut the office and toss almost everything and start over if I had that much stuff. The clutter makes you feel really disorganized – at least it does in my house. I could not manage with that much stuff. It’s good you sent a bag of stuff with your friend heading on a trip.
This is such a great idea! I periodically fill bags and donate them to my local Goodwill, but I’m sure there is a lot I’m missing.
Tackling rooms like this always give me anxiety because I never know where to start. I’m happy to hear you have a plan!! Good Luck!
God Bless you for this post and the one on procrastination. I have a friend who confided to me that her husband never put anything off. She whispered, “It drives me crazy!” This is something many of us with so much to do have…and I am the same way if I have laundry to do, I eat, if I have gardening to do, I eat….endless cycle. I loved the link to the procrastination….However on a positive note, when you get your office cleaned out lets decorate it!! We will make it the perfect writing room. Now that is something I would love to help with!!
I’ve got an office turned junk room too. I’m sitting in it right now wondering where did I go wrong?! I’m going to need an overhaul too.
I really need to do this. We have so much stuff in this house that needs to go!
I’ve not heard of this one before. But I have heard of clearing out 15 things every day.. I used to think if I cleared out 15 things every day I would eventually have nothing at all left in my house.
I love this challenge. I’m pretty sure I could get rid of 40 bags easily in our house!
Good job! kuddos for doing this. I keep putting it off. jealous to find you on a clean couch reading a book!
I so need to take this challenge! I was just saying yesterday that I am drowning in stuff. It’s time for a purge.
I think this is a great idea. I love getting rid of junk in the house whenever possible.
I always love to get organized. Have fun with it!
Just getting over the flu. Plenty of time lying on the couch the past two weeks to think about ways to improve my life—I’m going for this challenge!
I think we all need challenges like this. There is a huge load of junk at home & I think I might take my kids help during a weekend & get it done. I would have a huge package of junk to be cleaned in 40-days. Lol
My OCD about organizing keeps me on my toes! Sounds like you are in the right direction for sure!
My house looks the same. I have been working on it, but it is hard to find the time. SO I am doing the 40 bags challenge, just not 40 days in a row.