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    I’m an Excuse Machine - Week 2 Link-Up!

    March 22, 2011 |

    for most posts on the 40 bags in 40 days challenge, click here

     

    If you like us on facebook, you’ll know that life got in the way of our blog. I feel like lately I’ve been an excuse machine, so I’ll stop myself right there… 😉

    I’ll be posting the link up from last week today, as well as this week’s one on Friday (Thurs night). Feel free to link any new posts concerning the 40 Bags in 40 Days on either link-up.

    -----------------------------------------------------------

    This past week I tackled my freezer and fridge, the front room (Mon), dining room (Mon), and a bin from the attic (Mon), and a quick clean-out of the bathroom (Thur). I’m working 3-5 hrs every night, the weather has been beautiful, and we had some plans with family, so I combined three days worth of work into one. Just remember, that the goal here is

    “40 Bags in 40 Days,” and not “A Bag a Day for 40 Days”

    Here is my game plan:

    image

    I never really explained it to you. Before the 40 days, I wrote down the rooms I wanted to tackle into the “room/area” column, some rooms taking up more days than others. As you can see, the rest of it is blank for now…

    image

    The “actual plan and details” column is what you ACTUALLY do, you’ll fill this out after the fact. In here I’ve written what room I’ve done, sometimes what I did, and how many bags I had, where they went.

    I thought I’d be on the attic by now, but since our garage sale date is pushed back, I’m tackling the areas that we actually live in first (cause the clutter is bugging the crap out of me!)

    image

    As you can see, the three rooms from Monday were spread out to Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on the game plan.

    Oops, I don’t know that taking out the kitchen, bedroom, and garbage yesterday counted… 😉

    I have an extra-long clipboard, so I used the open space to add post-it notes regarding upcoming activities, so that I can plan my days knowing I’ll be busy.

    image well hi, Lily’s hand.

     

    Here’s the printable if you’d like it:

    40 Bags Game Planhttp://www.scribd.com/embeds/50301627/content?start_page=1&view_mode=slideshow&access_key=key-2agxsll5q6hsg7x4pqch(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js?1300738718"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

     

    My piece of advice this week?

    You’ve made a commitment to de-clutter your home. That right there is huge and I love you for it! Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day or a few, or if you only have one bag in a week. That one bag on a slow week will give you the motivation to clear out 3 more the next.

    No one is counting your bags but you. No one is judging you. The fact that you’re here has made me a very happy blogger. 🙂

     

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    Don’t have a blog? Give us some details of your progress in the comments, post a picture or comment on our facebook page!

    thanks for reading our feed, please stop by the house for a visit sometime soon. 🙂

    More 40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS

    • How to Declutter When You're Sentimental
    • 40 Bags in 40 Days as a Lenten Sacrifice
    • How to Keep Kids Clothes from Taking Over
    • Tips for Decluttering Craft Supplies

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      June 08, 2013 at 2:09 am

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    6. Becky

      March 25, 2011 at 4:17 am

      Thanks for the list- I love crossing things off I feel so productive that way.

    7. Sara @ Russet Street Reno

      March 24, 2011 at 2:47 am

      I must admit the picture of your clipboard gave me a thrill! I love making lists...doing the things on them, that is another story! ha

    8. jules

      March 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm

      Oh...and I also got three of my friends on board to do this too. They are really excited about it.

    9. jules

      March 23, 2011 at 2:33 pm

      I wanted to say...THANK YOU! I am a doing it a little different from you. But you have helped me to get the ball rolling in an effort to get rid of all this excess stuff in my house. I have already donated 12 huge black garbage bags full of things to goodwill. (BTW: the goodwill people are starting to look at me funny because I have been there so much!)

    10. Holly @ Roller Coaster Life

      March 22, 2011 at 4:46 pm

      We just moved so I know I don't have 40 bags of junk to get rid of because I do that when I move and it feels soooo good =)

    11. Tanya

      March 22, 2011 at 6:07 pm

      I'm about a quarter of the way there...10 bags in, some large garbage bags, some smaller ones. I'm not getting hung up on the numbers. Just want less crap in my house. Still a loooong way to go, but getting better.

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