My goals for a clean, happy home are simple: decorate only with what you love, keep only the stuff you need, get rid of the rest. But year after year I fall into the same trap and the stuff starts to pile up!
The last two years I did something called “40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS,” and over the course of the 40 days of Lent, as a sacrifice I challenge myself to declutter and get rid of 40 bags of stuff. See both years here. You don’t have to celebrate Lent, and you can start it whenever you are finding this post. 🙂
The stuff can get organized, donated, given to a family member or friend, go in a garage sale pile, to Freecycle, get sold, or go into the garbage. Just get it out of your house.
I’ve been asked so many times what size the bags have to be, if boxes or furniture count, if you can still participate if you don’t have 40 bags or if you have more.
The answer is up to you!
The goal is not necessarily to have 40 bags, but to tackle one spot a day. Your junk drawer, your bedroom, your car, your basement (stretched out over a whole week), or your dresser. I want you to do a deep cleaning of your whole house but take it one spot at a time and don’t overwhelm yourself.
The tough part is that not only are you ditching the crap, but you are ditching the stuff that maybe you kinda sorta still like. But if you’ve been hanging onto it for six years and you still haven’t used it? Uhhh, maybe it’s time for it to go on to a new home. 😉
I’ve set up a few things to help support you (and ME!!!) through the 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS journey:
1.) Printable calendar and goal sheet
I’ve created a handy calendar for February and March to help you plan and keep track of your progress. I’ve allowed for one day off on Sunday, but feel free to switch it up and do what works for you.
I highly recommend printing out two copies: one for planning (rooms, spots in your home, where you want to work on) and one for your actual progress. Download your free printable here, or click the image:
When filling it out, write what rooms or spots you'd like to tackle on the planning copy. On the real-time progress copy, you can write the spot you actually tackled, and how many bags you got, where they will go (goodwill, garbage, family member, garage sale). Write it all in pencil!
Are you starting after Wednesday February 13th? here are some blank calendars so that you can keep track of your progress. I’ve left a spot for you to mark what day of the 40 you are on, don’t forget to give yourself Sundays (or any other day) off when counting.
2.) Join our facebook page and closed facebook group.
I’ll be sharing daily pictures and reminders on our facebook page throughout the 40 days, but I’ve also set up a closed group (nothing is posted to your newsfeed, only members can see the contents) so we can support one another and share pictures, stories, triumphs, and vents. Think of this as your own little support group full of cheerleaders who also need to ditch the clutter. 🙂
join the 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS facebook group here, or click the image below:
3.) Join us on Instagram
If you’re posting a picture, please use the hashtag #40bags40days. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite photos (if you give me permission), and let’s face it, everything looks good with a pretty filter on it. Even your bags of crap. 😉
Follow me (@whbsblog), leave your username in the comments, or tag me in a post if you are participating with us on instagram! And don't forget the #40bags40days hashtag.
4.) Blog about 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS
I will have a weekly recap post and link party for 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS every Saturday right here. I’ll share my challenges, victories, and pictures from the week before.
If you have a blog, feel free to talk about your journey! You can use the image at the top of this post, as long as you link back here. Post when you can, once a week, a few posts a week, whatever helps you! Talk about your goals, your challenges, share your instagram pictures, do a recap, ask for support or advice, etc. Then head over here and link up your post so others can follow in your journey. 🙂
5.) Spread the Word
You can share this tweet:
Need to decrapify and take back your home? Join @whbsblog for the #40bags40days decluttering challenge! bit.ly/40bags40days
— Ann Marie (@whbsblog) February 13, 2013
Share a link to this post on your facebook page and get your friends on board.
or pin this image:
Have Passionfruit ads? I’d love to do an ad swap (leave a comment, or email me)
Whatever you can do to help spread the word to your readers or friends would be awesome! The bigger we get this, the more people we have supporting us and the better we can accomplish our goal!
6.) Win Free Stuff
Aren’t we trying to get rid of the stuff? Yes. Yes we are.
I’m currently lining up sponsors and prizes for this year’s challenge that will help us with our goal, not just give you more stuff. So stay tuned! Keeping with the “getting rid of stuff” theme, I am thinking organizational, home improvement, cleaning, etc. Email me at amheasley (at) gmail (dot) com if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.
Any questions? Goals? Things stopping you? Or
Kay
It is currently 4.05pm in my time zone. Since reading your webpage at 1pm, I have had a one hour meeting, and de-cluttered TWO zones... I am really pleased - I can now find my scarves/hats/handbags AND you can see the top of my dressing table - which had been piled three layers high.
THANKYOU
Kay
and two bags ready to go into the waste, and about twenty items put aside for charity
Gretchen
Hoping for a 2014 Challenge! I am getting a start on this before Lent...need to de-crappify to even have the wherewithal to work on the important stuff!
Tina 'the book lady'
Well shoot! I'm joining late but I figure it will give me some structure to what I'm already doing as I have energy. =D Will print calendar, will print calendar, will print cale... (hopefully) - lol
Tina
Kelly
I think you should site the original source. "Clover Lane" somewhere. After all it was her original idea.
Ann Marie lives here
Hi Kelly! I responded on Organizing Made Fun's facebook page as well, but wanted to make sure you saw my comment. Clover Lane is one of my favorite blogs, Sarah has such an amazing way with words and I've been reading for well almost 4 years now. I did get the idea from her three years ago, and I added a link crediting her (and the post SHE got it from: http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/40_bags_in_40_days/) in this post: http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/the-stuff-its-taking-over/. This our third year doing the challenge and it has really helped our family.
I am sorry you are upset, Kelly. I never claimed to have come up with it, and have heard of many people, Catholic and Christian organizations and groups who have been doing this challenge for years as well.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Debby
Love this. I have been doing this since the beginning of the year, but I am looking forward to following along with you all for inspiration and motivation to keep going. My biggest accomplishment is I have taken 6 file drawers and 2 cardboard file boxes and have reduced the paper to a 2 drawer file cabinet. Feels so good.
Ellen Price
Here's my week one post! I'm down 26 bags/boxes plus some other things that won't go in a box/bag!
Ellen
I'm in! I will be blogging about my first effort in a few days...and I am going to be on instagram as well. @ellenprice
Kelli
I'm so glad to have found this. (Feelin' really thankful for Blog Talk at the moment. 🙂 This is so inspiring! I'm gonna start gathering stuff up. One of our thrift stores in town, the proceeds go to the battered women and children's shelter. You feel like you are giving love when you donate! Thanks for the inspiration! k.
Russ Schwartz
Our attic here at "Five-Ten" is so scarey that our church has shot 2 videos up there! Here's one of them: http://www.vimeo.com/27921788. One of these days, we've GOT to clean it out... -- Russ
Heidi @ Mom's Crafty Space
I am SO in! Thanks for the helpful printable...going to join the FB group right now! 🙂
Jackie
I absolutely LOVE this idea. I was going to blog about decluttering, but you know what? I think I'll link over to you and do this. I'm a bit late starting, too, as I was out of town this week, but that's ok. I'll just do a little catch up. I wrote about this goal earlier in the year - to declutter and simplify my life in many ways, so I'm going to hop on board! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kristin
OK, I might be starting a LITTLE late, but count me IN!
Mauve
I started my 40 day declutter today with my pantry. We have a food and clothes closet at my church for the less fortunate.
Stacey Rothrock Steinfeld
This is EXACTLY what I need right now! I am going to chart my progress on a Pinterest board as I do not have a blog.
Rachel
Doing this and shared it on fb!!!!
Menai
I'm in! Woefully behind in preparing for our move in a few weeks so calendar and daily challenge a brilliant plan - thanks!
Tiffany Crooker
I am so doing this!! I will use your image and credit back!! Thanks for the tip I need this one in a 2200 SF house
Trina
I'm in!! I was JUST telling Adam we need to purge and then you post this. It's like you are reading my mind!
I will post this on my blog (not that I have a ton of readers =P) and FB, too!
Monique Burkes
I'm in. Wrote up my first post today!
@armsofasister
http://moniqueburkes.com/40-bags-in-40-days-challengeday-1/
Becky
I can't wait to get started. I am following on instagram because I gave up facebook for lent too!
Ashley
I am in! I'm so ready to live in a simple home...no more excuses!
jill4bama
SO GLAD I FOUND YOU! Will definitely start today!
db
I NEED this!!
Lizzie D
This is such a great challenge!! If anyone comes across outgrown children's clothing and needs to put it towards a good cause, check this out: http://pearoo.com/shop#content. Happy decluttering!
Casey
I cannot wait to start this challenge tomorrow. Such a good idea during Lent. I tried adding myself to the Instagram list, but it didn't work. Sorry
Stacia
Yup. totally need this. i'm on instagram too! @driedonmilk
s.pipes
So want to be in! Found you via Pinterest. Will be out of state traveling for 17 of the 40 days...maybe I can join & de-clutter my house in the first 23.
Bonnie
Great post Ann!! 🙂
Bonnie
Danielle
Yeah, just the motivation I need! 🙂
Rachel
Totally going to join you! I need a kick in the pants to get rid of the stuff I'm holding on to but don't really like.
Erica @ Spoonful of Imagination
This is amazing!! I'm in!! I would also love to swap adds! Please feel free to email about it!
Dottie
I am so ready to do this! I want to move as soon as possible (make that have to) and I really don't want to take a lot of clutter with me when I go.
KyleeJ
That's the position I'm in as well. We've been wanting to move for about 5 years, but we keep putting it off because of all the nonsense we KNOW we need to get rid of and not take with us.
Amanda M.
Thanks for the challenge! Can't wait to get started. For some reason my blog isn't coming up when I type it in, so I'll have to see if I can figure out what's going on =(
Ann Marie lives here
I think it was having issues yesterday, can you try leaving it in a comment?
Mandy
This is awesome. I was looking up your information from last year to do my own!! thank you!
Ann Marie
yay, glad that you're in for another year!!