DECLUTTER CHALLENGE - Before We Begin

Like any challenge, we need to do a bit of prep before we get going.

Decluttering is all about getting stuff out of your space, such as:

• Garbage

• Broken & Damaged

• Stuff that belongs in other spaces

• Stuff that needs to be returned

• Stuff that you no longer need

• Stuff that you no longer use

• Stuff that you no longer like

• Stuff that no longer serves you

• Stuff that no longer fits in your space

So here are a few tips before we start Day 1:

• Be ready with their exit strategy. Have donation boxes ready and know to whom or where they will be sent. Understand what your local area can recycle and where the recycling centre is. Have a garbage can nearby.

• Have your questions ready. Some decisions are going to be easy. Some will be harder. So when the going gets tough have these questions printed/written and somewhere that you can see them. - When did I last touch it? - When did I last use it? - Is this a duplicate? - Do I love it? Not sure? On a scale of 1-10 where is it? - What is it that I like about it? - How does this make me feel?

• Grab a journal Handling your stuff will create squirrels (i.e. cute and good ideas that distract you from decluttering). So have a journal, post-it notes or your smartphone ready so you can write them down and deal with them later.

• Have a declutter buddy And be a buddy to someone else. Share your stories on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #jgidqdeclutter2021.

• Know where you are going. Have a picture in your head of what your space will look like at the end. Forget the fancy filming sets or the 2000 sq foot sewing studios. See the potential in what you have.

• You need to COMMIT. If you are really serious about doing this, set aside a time every day when you will get it done. I’m going to do it first thing in the morning because I like checkmarks and they energize me for my next task. But that might not work for you. Maybe just before lunch would work better or after dinner. You do you. But it needs to be a time when you still have the energy to declutter.

• Know your limits. These are meant to be 15 to 30 minutes bursts of decluttering. Not marathon sessions. Decluttering is a cycle. We live in a time where material things (no pun intended) flow in and out of our lives. So if at the end of 21 days you still have work to do, simply start again.

Now you're ready for Day 1! I love a good progress picture, so please join either the Facebook Event Here, or use the #jgidqdeclutter2021 on Social Media. And if you want to show your friends and family that you're participating in the Declutter Challenge, share the image below:

I'll see you all on Monday!