Monday, March 3, 2008

The "get that stuff out the door" challenge

This week I am embarking on a "get that stuff out the door" challenge! Last week I was reminded of something I read long ago in Above Rubies magazine. Evangeline Johnson described how she and her sisters had decided that their lives were about "chasing children, not stuff". The stuff just had to get out the door and live somewhere else! Whether you have eight children like Evangeline, or no children like me, you may identify with this sentiment. So often life becomes about organising (or wading through) stuff we no longer need or like. It is time to get rid of it!

Please join me in my little challenge: recycle, throw out, give away or give back 5 things per day for the rest of the week.


Here is my pile for today, consisting of . . .

1 Australian government booklet - destination: recycle
6 Royal Auto magazines - recycle
6 Saltshakers newsletters - recycle
1 broken ball from the backyard - rubbish
1 bag from the days when I sold Nutrimetics, which I have not used for years - second hand store
1 item of clothing I have only worn once in nearly 10 years - second hand store

I know that this adds up to 16 items, not 5, but I've discovered that there is no stopping once you get started!

Get rid of the stuff that is cluttering up your life, so you have more time for the stuff that really matters.

When I logged on tonight I dropped by Biblical Womanhood, and noticed that Crystal is hosting a challenge that is very similar to my own: pick a pile! Why not drop by and see what others are doing in their efforts to clean up their homes?

6 comments:

  1. Great idea! At our house, even though we don't buy stuff...we end up accumulating stuff. I don't get it...but it happens! I'll always feeling like I need to clean out again and get rid of stuff!

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  2. I know what you mean! We don't buy much either, but it there are still lots of things around which we don't need or even like.

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  3. I love this. I will post a link on my blog and try to tag along for the remainder of the week.

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  4. Ooh..I think I will do this too! My list right now is: 1 bag of outdated/outgrown clothing from my teen for the Salvation Army (similar to Goodwill), a Home Interiors picture (to donate to either our local crisis pregnancy center or save in trunk for when I have grandchildren), 5 old issues of Ignite Your Faith mags that my teen no longer reads...will recylce or donate to the church Youth Center. WOw...I can think of lots of things right now to clean out!!

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  5. You are so right. The clutter piles up! I love your ideas!

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