In 2011 I announced I'd be decluttering during the 40 days of Lent on this blog. It was way before the recent minimalism or simplifying movements, before sharing on instagram. No one talked about their messes!! I felt like the only one struggling with too much stuff and a messy house.
I was blown away by the response. People messaged and commented to say I wasn't alone, that they felt the same way yet didn't know how to get out from under their messes. That year I hosted the 40 Bags in 40 Days™ Decluttering Challenge as a way to connect with and support other people looking to live with less.
What is the 40 Bags in 40 Days Decluttering Challenge?
It is a forty day period (coinciding with the 40 days of Lent) where you go through your home and declutter one area a day. The 2021 40 Bags in 40 Days™ Challenge starts Wed. February 17th. Since I started hosting the group challenge in 2011, millions have learned about #40Bagsin40Days and countless participants have changed their life, created more manageable homes, and refocused their outlook.
There are several ways to complete the challenge:
1.) Daily Email Course
If you'd like support from me personally, with daily reminders and in-depth, room-by-room tips, you can sign up for our paid e-course. Enrollment is currently closed, sign up here to be notified when we open for enrollment.
I created this for people who requested a more in-depth option to make sure they complete the challenge. People who had tried the challenge in the past reported much greater success completing it with the e-course.
2.) Printable Progress Tracker:
The free progress tracker will help you plan and keep track of your progress. You'll also be sent a link to a list of areas in your home to declutter, as well as a list of non-stuff things to simplify. When you decluttering, it may look worse before it gets better. Writing things down will help you to see your progress and motivate you to keep going!
3.) Other support options:
- Like our facebook page for inspiration on simplifying your life, tackling your clutter, and more. We'll also host facebook lives with tips on decluttering throughout the challenge.
- Follow on Instagram to see daily progress in my stories, and use the #40bagsin40days hashtag.
- Join the 40 Bags in 40 Days™ Facebook community; we have 82,000+ members and growing. Be sure to answer the required questions.
- We also offer a more personal, exclusive group with enrollment in the e-course. We'll do daily check-ins and weekly live video chats. This is the best way to ensure you complete the challenge, use the money you're saving not buying extra clutter!
- Go through each day of your plan and get rid of stuff. It's really as easy as that!
4.) Tell everyone you know!
Share this link on facebook, instagram, or talk about 40 Bags in 40 Days™ with friends. I want everyone I know to join us. I want everyone you know to join us. I want to change our lives, see your progress. Big or small, embarrassing or beautiful. I want to help you become a better version of yourself. Because you know what?
- Your home should not make you feel overwhelmed or stressed.
- You likely have (or buy) excess stuff you don't need.
- The stuff won't make you happier.
- You do not need to be embarrassed.
- You are not alone in this!
- You can do this.
Everyone has messes. The trick is to edit our home and life. Get rid of the excess noise begging us to pick up after it. Remove the clutter so everyday messes are manageable!
I want your home to be a place where you are surrounded with only the things and people you love. You shouldn't feel controlled by the paper clutter, the craft supplies from projects never carried out, the furniture Great Aunt Sally passed down to you, nor clothes telling you what size you used to be.
Join us!
We are all here for you and want to see you succeed. We want to free you from the unnecessary stuff in your life keeping you from being happy.