Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?
I flew into Nashville today to speak at the Teach Them Diligently Conference this weekend. Both my flights were delayed about an hour each. But it all worked out and I got to spend the evening with a friend of mine, Angie Smith.
I was reminded all over again why I love her so very much! (If you’ve not read her books and don’t follow her blog, you should! She’s hilarious and inspiring!)
Before I left this morning, I cleaned out my sample tub. I use almost all the free samples that come in the mail, but I find that there are a few I think I’ll use that then just end up hanging around in there forever and just take up space. So I cleaned these out and came up with eight samples to get rid of. Yay!
How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!
Anna @ Frugal For You says
Free samples are one of my clutter weaknesses!
Kimberly says
I love this idea Crystal. I REALLY want to declutter and have recently recycled, donated, and given away several things but there is still WAY too much stuff. We really have way more than we need or want that’s accumulated over the years (and I have a generous co-worker that keeps insisting on blessing me with her hand-me-down clothes and asks me to pass on what I don’t want). I have three problems, I don’t have transportation to easily drop stuff off somwhere and don’t live in an area where there is an organization to pick up donations. It costs money to throw things away and recycle things and I can’t afford to put loads of extra bags and bins at the curb. Also my husband isn’t currently living in our home and I don’t want to discard any of his things without his consent. My street is having a community yard sale Memorial Day weekend. I’m thinking of putting some items out for free, or do a pay what you want sale and pray that everything I put out gets taken that way (I hate having to store leftovers from yard sales). I feel like it’s going to take me years to get a handle on all that we’ve purchased and been given!
cheranne says
We got rid of 2 dozen glass bottles to the recycler (they just seem to hang around), also a few odds and ends from the bottom of the toy bin, and I donated 2 games to savers. My goal for next week is to be ruthless and reorganize all the toys (i did my sons books last week and it was very rewarding!). I also want to go through all of my craft items, I have stuff i have been hanging on to for years and it is time they go!
FMR says
This week I am helping my two children move from their college dorm rooms back home for the summer. We have thrown out, donated, sold, recycled and given a
way enough stuff to count as my 7 items a day for each day this week. Less clutter coming into the house is a good thing .
Salema B. says
I volunteered in my daughter’s 1 st grade classroom today. I helped her teacher gather items that needed to be returned to the Book Room and Media Center. But, we had to have the students clean out there desks, first. Hilarious! Kids have all kinds of STUFF in their desks!
Carrie O. says
Got rid of 54 items this week!
Salema B. says
Wow! That is great!
Crystal says
Woohoo! Go you!
Amy says
I’m posting the accomplishments for yesterday! I recycled 15 magazines and donated a jacket, two dresses, four pair of shoes, some cleaning supplies, some flippers, and an old license plate. I love checking areas off of my list of places to declutter!
Ashley says
I was out of town so I’m playing catch up today — I easily found 42 things to get rid of! Yikes!
Tiffany says
Next time, send them to me! Lol Those are all samples I DO use! I do agree though, it’s good to go through them as I sometimes collect some I never use.
Melissa says
I don’t sign up for many free samples, but occassionally I too find that there are some that just will never get used. I got rid of a shirt that just didn’t look right when I put it on this morning and a magazine I finished reading last night. I also have been trying to go through old papers. I found a number of old accounts I decided I should call to ensure are closed before I shred the paperwork. I’ve been trying to call on one per morning before work. I got a suprise with this morning’s call. I found that my old pre-paid toll account is still open (I haven’t lived in that state for 8 years!) So I will send them the appropriate letter today to get the account closed. Unfortunately that paperwork won’t be shredded for a little while longer until I get a confirmation that they receive my letter and the account is infact closed. Finding loose ends like that freaks me out! Glad I found out about it though!
Maia says
I’ve missed out on a few days of this, so I went wild and clean out the kids’ closet. 🙂 Summer is bound to come to WI eventually so I went through all their clothing seasons and got rid of what was ruined and what doesn’t fit.
Crystal says
Good for you!
Kim M says
I was actually able to get to go through stuff yesterday, and managed to clean out my 2-drawer filing cabinet that was jam packed with old records and bills and stuff, got it condensed down to 1/2 cabinet and many old file folders. I also took my bed apart to get underneath it to see what was under it.. and besides the small petting-zoo of dust bunnies, found craft supplies that hadn’t been used in years, an old birthday gift I’d gotten for my nephew over 6 yrs ago that I forgot I’d bought, several tubes of old, faded and wrinkled wrapping paper. All of which was either tossed in the garbage or put in our garage sale bin. (how does under-the-bed get so dirty.. there’s only 6 inches between the bottom of the bed and the floor!!)
Erica Lynn @ Optimal Health Consultant says
I focused on the room that stresses me the most, the bathroom. Sharing one bathroom with four people is not easy.
Carrie says
Today is garbage day, so last night I went through some of the garage.
Throwing out: old plastic chair, old recycling bins that are broken, a large garbage can full of junk from the garage. I also cleaned out under the hedges and found a plethora of junk that the boys have been dumping that needed thrown out: wrappers, old socks (no wonder they never have matching socks!), broken toys, and socks.
Luba says
Yesterday I took a nice-sized bag of clothes, an old printer, and some books to Goodwill. 🙂 I also threw away a huge bag of expired candy.
Jessica says
May 16:
trash: back of broken frame, 3 items from daughter’s dresser and 2 printed photos
donate: 4 frames, boys 2-piece pj set, note card set
recycle: glass and metal from broken frame
Lety says
I cleaned out a couple of my arts and crafts bins today. Got rid of several things.
-1 bunch of tiny flowers that have already turned an odd color.
-1 floral stem with flower a bit tattered.
-1 BIG roll of satin ribbon which also turned another color. I’d had it since I got married almost 16 years ago! I felt so very disappointed in myself when I found this roll. I felt like it was such a waste! Here I held on to something because I could use it later, but when it came time to use it, I’d forgotten I had it! What was the use of keeping it?
-2 bunches of used metallic garland which I thought I might use, but again, never did, never needed them after I used them the first time.
-1 small bow I’d made, but never used.
-1 stapler that I haven’t used in a long time, as I have another two that I do use.
-1 invitation from 10 years to the baptism of my first great-nephew. I was so reluctant to toss it! It was handmade and being he was my first great-nephew, I felt I had to keep it. However, it ended up in one of my bins so it was tattered and creased.
It feels good to tackle clutter ruthlessly, without thinking I might need it later.
Shelly says
I worked again in my daughter’s closet. Today while I was working on the upper shelf I found a few empty boxes. I actually thought we were storing something in them but I was wrong. We also found a few other items to get rid of. Have a great time at the conference.
Salema B. says
I cleaned out my daughter’s closet today. I realized I needed to bless someone else with Minnie Mouse and the Disney Princesses dolls that she hasn’t played with in years !
Sandy says
I did great again today! I cleaned out the linen closet and under the sink in the master bath. I got rid of a lot of medical supplies I had when I was my mom’s caregiver. I didn’t count today but, I know I got rid of a ton!