Jan 16 | Household Tips, Organization
I always said that once we’re in a bigger home, I hope to not store things under the beds. But… some things just work under there really well! Like the cushions for our deck chairs and wrapping paper/gift bags.
Today, I’m going to take care of the dust bunnies, and organize things underneath the beds. I think I’m even storing some pictures/paintings that I’ve been meaning to hang the walls. I’ll see how ambitious I feel, they may even end up on the wall by the end of the day. 
I want to know, do you store stuff under your bed? Or do you have empty space underneath?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
Jan 15 | Household Tips, Organization
We don’t have enough room in our kitchen for a junk drawer so I’d have to say that my nightstand does the honours well. But it’s all useful junk! You know, chocolate (when I need to escape the kids), flashlight, chapstick, books…
Honestly I’m not sure how good I can make the nightstand look, but I’m going to try! I’m sure I can find a proper home for some items. The bottom drawer was full of books, but I purged many books from there the other day.
I think as long as I have the top nicely cleared off, I’ll be happy. Now I hope my husband will get on board with his side!
How’s the state of your nightstand?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
Jan 13 | Household Tips, Organization
Ah books. I’m so torn with books. I have some I’m keeping only because I loved reading them when I was younger and I thought my daughters might enjoy them one day. Silly? I’m not sure! However, today, I am determined to declutter at least a few books.
I’ve been buying (and borrowing) less books lately because I bought a Kindle a couple of years ago. I avoided those electronic devices for so long, but in the end they really spoke to my “wanting less clutter” side. And now I’m in love with the thing. I actually read more often! And I love that I can have so many books when we go away!
As you might have guessed, today’s activity for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge is to sort through our books. I know I have some books that I think some friends of mine will enjoy so I’ll be giving those away.
Do you have books you need to be rid of? How do you ‘rid’ them? Sell them? Donate them?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, I have set up an email list that you can join if you would like me to send you the daily tasks each day to your email address! This is also the email list to be on if you are interested in any of the future challenges I have planned for 2020! You can sign up for the Simply Clutter Free Challenge emails, here!
Jan 10 | Household Tips, Organization
Letting go of clutter may sound like a stressful idea to you. There are many reasons why we hang onto clutter, but there are far more positive reasons you should let go of clutter. Physical clutter can dampen your ability to live a free, happy life. Today I’m going to share some reasons why you should let go of physical clutter to live a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Reasons You Should Let go of Clutter
Sucks the Life out of You
There is a relationship between physical
clutter and mental clutter. When you find that you have piles of items in the
home that no longer serve you, your mind becomes more cluttered. Let’s face it,
clutter makes your physical life appear unorganized which plays a toll on your
mental capacity.
Clutter Doesn’t Define You
Sure you may have an emotional attachment
to some of the clutter around your home, but this clutter doesn’t define you.
The clutter you’ve been holding onto for sentimental value is clogging your
home environment. You can remove the clutter and still hold precious memories
in your heart and mind.
Keeps Your Focus Blurry
Clutter makes you focus on things that
don’t matter, such as materialistic items versus emotional connections. You may
find that you’re fixated on having more clutter rather than becoming more aware
of what truly matters in life, connection and growth.
Encourages Fear
You may find that you’re so attached to the clutter as a definition for who you are that you’re paralyzed in fear. The fear that letting go of clutter will somehow make you lose your sense of self-identity. It’s important to remember that you define yourself, not your materialistic items.
Stuck in the Past
You may not realize the energy that clutter
carries. These items that you’ve accumulated have their own energy that can
impact your everyday thoughts and patterns of behavior. Often your clutter
keeps you stuck in the past, unable to move forward for a healthier lifestyle.
Many of you are hanging onto the clutter that’s accumulated because you think of the monetary value. (Meaning the money you spent to get this clutter.) The other reasons could be an emotional attachment or the inability to know how to get rid of clutter. Regardless of why you’ve been holding onto this clutter for years, it’s time to focus on the reasons you should let go of clutter. I hope that my list will inspire you to start removing physical clutter from your life so that you can feel free of anything that holds you back from living peacefully.
If you are looking for a kick start to your decluttering process, follow along with us during the Simply Clutter Free Challenge!
Jan 10 | Household Tips, Organization
I always find the task of decluttering clothes somewhat overwhelming. Even if I haven’t worn something in a long time, I can usually find a reason to wear it once I’m deciding to declutter it 
However, I’m sure that there are some clothes that I either don’t like, or that don’t/won’t fit properly. While I don’t think my declutter pile will be huge this time, I know I’ll have something to say goodbye too.
I will also be going through my daughters’ closets to put away too small clothes and donate stuff they don’t wear.
Here’s a post I wrote about 7 Ways to Pare Down Your Closet that may help you today. Also, I just recently finished reading the book Simple Happy Parenting and I feel like it made me look at our clothes in a whole new way (and other household items). You may enjoy it as well! Also, the show on Netflix, Tidying Up by Marie Kondo was really inspiring and helped me to understand the book a bit more!
Do you have a lot of clothes that will be going into the donate pile?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, download and print the organizing calendar here.
Jan 9 | Household Tips, Organization
Today’s Simply Clutter Free task: declutter the shoes!
This shouldn’t be too hard around here. I don’t have many shoes and my husband has even less! I think my struggle is going to be convincing my husband that he needs to finally throw away his old broken soccer cleats. (He thinks he might use them one day as backup shoes??) I think if it’s been a year and he hasn’t needed them, they’re gone.
The problem with my shoes is that some of them only get worn a few times a year. I keep trying to convince myself they need to go, but then I end up wearing them again out of sympathy or something. I’m weird, I know.
As for my daughters’ shoes, the too small ones and out of season ones will go into storage or get donated.
How do you keep a handle on your shoe situation?
I will be posting random progress reports throughout the week over in the Simply Frugal Facebook group and Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #simplyclutterfree to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
Also, download and print the organizing calendar here.
