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I am so excited to be announcing my new series today, Declutterathon: 26 weeks to an Organized Life.
Some people are naturally organized; it’s in their blood. They’ll apologize profusely for their messy houses when there isn’t a single item out of place and every room is impeccably decorated. Unfortunatley, that’s not me.
I’m a slob.
It’s true. I can admit it. I can think of a gazillion (that’s an exact count!) number of things I’d rather do before decluttering, cleaning, and organizing. I have an organized mind, but that doesn’t always translate to my surroundings.
Now, I know what you may be thinking, “Who really likes to do house work?” Well from what I’ve seen in blogland, a lot of people! I’m sure there are other things those perfectly organized women would like to do sometimes besides folding laundry and dusting a ceiling fan, but they’re still disciplined enough to actually get the drudgery done. Unforunately, I haven’t had that same self discipline.
I came up with the phrase “declutterathon” in the spring of 2014 when I thought about all the work I needed to do around my house and decided to write this post. I was optimistic at the time thinking I could do it all in 40 days. I’ve finally accepted the fact that this house and I are going to take a little while to get our acts together.
This decluttering challenge isn’t about a quick fix or an overnight solution. I wish it was that easy. I’m not an expert in organizing. That may send some of you running for the hills, but if you’re looking for an expert you’ll find no shortage of them in blogland. Pinterest is crawling with them. I love looking at those sites because they’re very inspirational, but at this point, it’s akin to looking at a Victoria’s Secret catalog. No matter how much I stare or follow their tips, I’m not going to grow eight inches or lose XX pounds overnight.
This declutterathon is about a serious home and habit overhaul, and we’re going to do it together.
I’m not going to lie… I’m scared to do this. I’m scared to put this messiness out there for all to see (and judge). I’m scared of the accountability. Following through on things is not my strong suit (remember the Whole30?), but I’m hoping this will help me once and for all develop new habits. I’m also sharing this because I want to help others who are feeling like I do: sick of the chaos, sick of mess, sick of having a surprise guest ring your doorbell only to think, “What excuse can I make up to keep them out of my house?” It’s not uncommon for me to yell, “Stay away from the windows” to my kids because I’d rather just pretend not to be home, and I’m sick of living this way.
The inspirational sites are great, but if you’re like me, they can also be very overwhelming. At this point, I need to do some hard, unfun work to get this house in order. Then I can play with washi tape and tension rods, and it won’t end up being a total waste of time.
So, if you’re ready to conquer the clutter, chaos, and disorder that’s taken over your life and create a beautiful home that you and your family can enjoy, please join me. We’ll do it together.
I’m really hoping that this can be a community effort where we learn from one another and share tips so I’m also thinking about starting a facebook page just for declutterathon participants. What do you think? Would you want to join? (Update: Join the group HERE!)
The Declutterathon will officially begin Monday, January 5, one week from today. I can’t wait to see you then and get started.
I’ll also be creating a bunch of free printables to help us as well because nothing’s truly accomplished unless it’s crossed off a list or organized with a cute label, right? For a sneak peek of some of what we’ll be doing, check out these posts:
And for added inspiration and reminders sent directly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my Declutterathon newsletter here, and visit this page to follow the entire series.
What area are you most looking forward to organizing?
You sound like you’re describing me! I’ve signed up to get your emails – this is also high on my own list of goals this year. I’d love it if you’d share this on Reviews, Chews & How-To’s Awesome Life Friday Link Up!
I’d love to share it, Lynda! Thanks 🙂
The beginning of a new year practically begs for a good decluttering. Great idea! Thanks for sharing on the Tip Me Tuesday link party. If you get a chance to stop by my blog sometime, I’d love it!!
It really does, doesn’t it. My poor house has really been begging for years, but the start of 2015 is just the kick in the pants I need to finally get this done for good! 🙂
I smiled while reading your post, Emily, because I think i could have written it very close to your own. I really like the idea of organiztion but find I have no where to put things ( which means I need to get rid of things) or just have a habit of not keeping up with the maintaining. My hope is to create better habits this year, not a goal or resolution but a hope to work diligently at the little things making the maintaining more of a possibility. I will be following your journey, thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Dawn
Thanks, Dawn. Yes, I need to find homes for my things. Right now, they just float around the house, which means I can rarely find what I need. I’m happy to have you following along. I hope the Declutterathon’s helpful 🙂
I have started doing this myself, turning my home into haven! Its a job but so worth it!
It is a job! I’m intimidated to begin to tell you the truth, but I know it’ll be worth it. Since you’ve already started, do you have any tips to shares?
I also started organization during the holiday break! I did not want to wait until the new year because I feel I need to have little to no clutter to focus on my other gOals! This is how I came across your site and I am in love with your printables. I will be putting them on a bulletin board on my desk which I am organizing drawer by drawer little by little. A tip for others is that you don’t have to spend a lot to get organized. There are so many things at the dollar store that can help you and are certainly helping me. I also felt overwhelmed with things because I have a hard time letting things go. So what I have been doing, is letting them go little by little. The charity “Nspire outreach” comes to pick up donations every 2 weeks to a month. This helps me let things go more easily because I am not just throwing them in the garbage. I also feel forced to give things up all the time because I know they are coming! This has helped tremendously as well.
That’s such a great tip, Jeanne, and one we’ll eventually be covering so you’re already ahead of the pack! If you have any other tips, please share. I am in no way an authority on this (unless we’re talking about creating messes lol), and we’re all in this together so please feel free to share away.
This is soo me. I am a home schooling mum of 2 boys and I have a severe depressive disorder. My house has become a HUGE mess due to my depression over the last 15 or so years. I have been well for a few years but have been so overwhelmed with the enormous job of sorting that my house has become, and with the time constraints of home schooling it’s very easy to leave the de-cluttering. There is always something more important to do right?
So, hopefully this will be the help I need to actually get the job done, and then keep it clutter free.
Thank you so much for being honest about how you need to improve in certain areas of your life, it makes it very easy to relate to. I actually think I am looking forward to doing this! LOL.
Well, if you like honesty stay tuned because I’ll be doing some soul spilling soon! I’m going to be honest, I’m not really looking forward to that (haha). It’s hard to admit faults, especially in such a public way, but I know I can’t be the only one out there struggling with this so I’m glad to hear the pain’s worth it. 🙂
Wow! I felt while reading this it was me and my exact life. My husband and I are both sick and tired of this clutter. We are both tired of living in a messy house all the time! Thanks so much. Even though I’m pregnant I still am going to try and keep up with you! 🙂
Congratulations, Natalia! When’s your little one due?
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m so glad I am not alone and I can’t think of a more perfect way to have expressed it. I think I might be brave enough to join up…and I bet it will take every bit of the marathon to get clean but it has to start somewhere right?
It’s going to take me every bit of this marathon to get this house whipped into shape too so no worries about that. I’d love to have you join us! The facebook group is already extremely supportive and encouraging, and we haven’t even started yet so I think there are lots of good things to come. 🙂
Oh, I love this! With not so much time, a carefully planned “Declutterathon” is a must! 🙂
A few more hours in the day would be helpful, wouldn’t it. We’re excited to have you join us 🙂
I need help on encouraging my hubby to want to declutter! He is the one who brings things home. We have more furniture than we need. We have a super small house. HELP!
That’s a great idea for a post! I’ll start working on that asap.
I also smiled whilst reading your post! I’m that person that frets over small messy things but then I can really relate to your post too. Great post btw! It was so good that I’ve used it as part of a resource page for organising! Will definitely be spending more time on your blog 🙂
Thank you so much, Jess! I hope you’re having a great day 🙂