496 Things
I am doing a challenge during the month of January. I read about it on Instagram, I think maybe on a post that the Minimalists put up (but now they have minimized their profile, so to speak, so I can’t find it). In any case, the idea goes like this: for each date of the month, you get rid of that same number of things. So, 1 thing on January 1st, 2 things on the 2nd, and so on, right up to 31 things on January 31st. By the end of it, you’ve removed nearly 500 things from your home.
This may sound insane, or impossible, but I have a feeling it’s going to be pretty easy, despite the fact that I cleared out a lot of stuff the last few months (and yes, part of me is thinking “if only I could count those lamps, and all those clothes!).
It’s January 10th as I write this, so today I will be removing 10 items. Some days it has been incredibly easy, other days I have strained (January 8th, to be precise). It depends on my mood, and the amount of time I have. Still, overall so far, it is very satisfying. It is getting me into some of the drawers and cupboards where things have sat, unneeded, taking up space, for months. Things removed so far include: tupperware without lids, a fedora I have had for years, but never once worn (dreams of another life?), expired vitamins, socks with holes, books, jars with lids that don’t seal, a few christmas decorations, and so on. The items aren’t grand, or even noticeable, but the feeling of clearing away the crumbs in the corner is very satisfying. And I think that, by the end of the month, I will have reclaimed a few drawers that have been unusable, cleared some cupboards, and, essentially, removed the rubble, so to speak. It’s weirdly exciting!
I’m writing down what I remove every day, to keep me accountable, and inspired. I’ve enlisted Shane - who is sort of doing it? - and my sister, who is totally doing it! She has not been on a minimalist kick, but this has definitely sparked one. It has been so fun to hear how thrilled she is to be getting rid of stuff! It keeps us both going.
If you would like to join or start, maybe just jump right in now! You could start with ten things today, and then continue up into February 10th. Imagine how easy getting rid of one thing on February 1st will be, after getting rid of 31 on January 31st!
If you’d like a few tips, here is how I am approaching things:
Get a box or a bag that you can place items in throughout the week, then remove that box at the end of the week, or, if circumstances permit, even more often. Get it out of the house!
It’s up to you what you want to count…if you get a newspaper every day, you can count that as one thing.
If one particular drawer or area is challenging you, switch! Can’t decide what face creams to keep or chuck? Move on to the cleaning supplies under the sink! A change of venue can do wonders for kick starting you.
Keep a list to keep you accountable. I have a list in Notes on my phone, and I jot down every little thing I remove. Yes, I am counting each New Yorker magazine as its own item on the list (again, you could choose to group them all together and count them as one thing if you’d rather).
Enlist a friend! Having to report in to one another is incredibly helpful, supportive and focusing. Again, accountability is your friend.
Get into those drawers you always ignore - you’d be amazed at how satisfying it is to rid yourself of old take-out chopsticks and elastic bands.
Optional: If you bring something new into your home, add that number to the day’s required amount. For example, if you come home with a new shirt on January 10, then get rid of 11 things to offset the arrival of the new thing.
Have fun! Celebrate! Pat yourself on the back! Revel in the clean surfaces and organized drawers!
Slow and Steady. Don’t try to do all 496 things today. Follow the protocol. I promise it is much more attainable, and rewarding to do it little step by little step.
It is early days yet, I know, but I am already imagining doing it again in February! Ha!
What about you? Any other tips you’d recommend?
