Join My 7 Day Declutter Challenge: A Simple, Motivating Plan for Beginners

Want a fresh start but feel like clutter constantly holds you back from the calm, organized home you dream of? You’re not alone, and my 7 day declutter challenge is the simple, motivating plan designed specifically for beginners like you to finally get organized! If the thought of tackling your entire home feels completely overwhelming, this challenge breaks it down into manageable, daily tasks, focusing on one room or area each day. My goal is to guide you gently, instilling a sense of hope and possibility by showing you how even small, consistent actions can lead to big, visible changes in just one week.

This isn’t about achieving Pinterest-perfect minimalism overnight. It’s about making tangible progress, clearing out what no longer serves you, and creating spaces that feel lighter and more functional. I’ll provide clear, step-by-step instructions for each day, along with motivational tips to keep you going, even when it feels tough. We’ll focus on quick wins and building momentum, so by the end of the week, you’ll not only see a difference in your home but also feel a significant boost in your own sense of accomplishment and peace of mind.

We’ll cover key areas from the kitchen to the bedroom, tackling those clutter hotspots and problem zones with a simple, no-fuss approach. By joining this challenge, you’re taking the first hopeful step towards a more organized life. Are you ready to accept the challenge and rediscover the joy in your home? Let’s begin this journey together!

2. Before You Begin: Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Decluttering Week

Alright, are you feeling that spark of hope and readiness to take on this 7 day declutter challenge? Amazing! But before we dive into Day 1, taking a few moments for some quick prep will set you up for a truly successful and much smoother decluttering week. This isn’t about elaborate planning that adds to your overwhelm; it’s about gathering a few basic tools and, most importantly, adopting a positive and realistic mindset. Think of this as your pre-challenge huddle, getting your game face on and your supplies in order so you can tackle each day with confidence and ease.

Here’s all you need to do to get ready:

• Cultivate a “Progress, Not Perfection” Mindset: This is my number one tip!
  • Embrace Small Steps: Remember, the goal of this challenge is to make progress each day, not to achieve a perfectly decluttered and organized room in an hour. Small, consistent actions truly do lead to big changes over the week.
  • Be Kind to Yourself: If you miss a bit one day or don’t finish everything on the “list” for a room, that’s okay. Don’t let it derail you. Just pick back up the next day. This is a hopeful journey, not a rigid test.
• Gather Your Basic Decluttering Supplies: You don’t need fancy organizers yet (we can think about those later!). For now, just grab:
  • 3-4 Boxes or Large Bags: Clearly label them:
    • DONATE: For items in good condition that you no longer need but someone else could use.
    • DISCARD/RECYCLE: For trash, broken items, or things that are truly beyond use.
    • RELOCATE: For items that belong in a different room or area of your home. (This box will be your “put-away” helper at the end of each session).
    • (Optional) MAYBE/FIX: If you’re really struggling to decide on a few items, you can have a “Maybe” box. Seal it, date it for a month from now. If you haven’t needed or missed those items, it’s a good sign you can let them go. A “Fix” box is for items needing minor repairs you genuinely plan to do soon.
• Schedule Your Daily Declutter Time:
  • Short and Sweet: Aim for a dedicated slot of just 30 to 60 minutes each day for the next seven days. Put it in your calendar if that helps! Knowing it’s a limited time commitment makes it much less daunting to start.
  • Choose Your Best Time: Are you a morning person or do you get a burst of energy in the evening? Pick a time when you’re least likely to be interrupted and have a bit of focus.
• A Little Pep Talk: You Can Do This!
  • Remind yourself why you’re taking on this challenge. Is it for more peace? Less stress? A home you can relax in? Keep that “why” in mind.
  • Visualize, just for a moment, how good it will feel to have even one small area cleared and organized. That feeling is what we’re aiming for, day by day.

That’s it! Just these simple preparations will make a huge difference as you move through the 7 day declutter challenge. You’re not just clearing clutter; you’re creating space for more calm and joy in your life. Let’s get ready for Day 1!

3. Day 1: Conquering the Kitchen Clutter – One Counter, One Drawer at a Time

Welcome to Day 1 of your 7 day declutter challenge! I’m so excited for you to start this journey. Today, we’re conquering the kitchen clutter, but don’t worry, we’re doing it one counter, one drawer at a time. The kitchen is often the heart of the home, but it can also quickly become a magnet for all sorts of things that don’t belong, or items we simply have too many of. Our goal today isn’t to overhaul the entire kitchen (that would be overwhelming!), but to make a visible, impactful start that will motivate you for the rest of the week. Remember our motto: progress, not perfection!

Set your timer for 30-60 minutes, put on some music if it helps you, and let’s dive in with these simple steps:

• Step 1: The Great Counter Clear-Off (Pick ONE Counter Section)
  • Your Action: Choose one section of your kitchen counter that tends to attract the most clutter (maybe beside the sink, or that one end that becomes a dumping ground). Remove everything from it. Yes, everything!
  • Quick Sort: As you remove items, immediately place them into your “Donate,” “Discard/Recycle,” or “Relocate” boxes. Be honest: Do you use that small appliance regularly? Are those decorative items just collecting dust?
  • Wipe it Down: Give the now-empty counter a good wipe. Ah, doesn’t that already feel better?
  • Intentional Return: Only put back items that absolutely need to live on that counter and that you use daily (e.g., coffee maker, toaster, a small utensil holder if necessary). Everything else? It goes into the “Relocate” box to be put away properly later, or into the “Donate/Discard” boxes.
• Step 2: Tackle ONE Problematic Drawer (The Infamous Junk Drawer or Utensil Overload)
  • Your Action: Choose just one kitchen drawer that drives you crazy. It could be the junk drawer, a utensil drawer overflowing with duplicates, or that gadget drawer you’re afraid to open.
  • Empty and Sort: Take everything out. Quickly sort into your boxes. Are there broken gadgets? Five can openers when you only need one? Pens that don’t write? Expired spice packets?
  • Wipe and Organize: Wipe out the drawer. Put back only what you use and need, perhaps using small dividers if you have them (but don’t buy any yet – just use what you have for now!).
• Step 3: The Expired Food Express Scan (Fridge & Pantry – 10 minutes max!)
  • Your Action: Quickly scan your refrigerator and pantry shelves for any obviously expired food items – old condiments, wilted produce you won’t use, stale crackers.
  • Discard Immediately: Toss them straight into your discard/compost bin. This isn’t a deep clean, just a quick purge of the obvious.

Day 1 Motivation Tip: You did it! Take a moment to admire that clear counter and that (hopefully!) less chaotic drawer. A clear kitchen counter instantly makes the whole room feel calmer and more spacious. This visible progress is your fuel! Remember to take your “Relocate” box and put those items away in their proper homes around the house.

You’ve made a fantastic start to your 7 day declutter challenge! Give yourself a pat on the back. You’re building momentum, and tomorrow, we’ll bring that same hopeful energy to another space.

4. Day 2: Bringing Serenity to the Living Room – Clearing Surfaces and Creating Calm

Welcome to Day 2 of our hopeful 7 day declutter challenge! Yesterday you made amazing progress in the kitchen, and today we’re carrying that positive momentum forward by bringing serenity to the living room, focusing on clearing surfaces and creating an immediate sense of calm. Your living room should be a place where you can relax and unwind, but it often becomes a hotspot for everyday clutter – mail, magazines, stray coffee mugs, and items that just don’t have a designated “home.” Our mission today is to tackle that visible surface clutter for a quick, impactful transformation.

Set your timer for your chosen 30-60 minutes, grab your “Donate,” “Discard/Recycle,” and “Relocate” boxes, and let’s cultivate some calm!

• Step 1: The Surface Sweep – Coffee Table, Side Tables, and Entertainment Unit
  • Your Action: Start with the most visible flat surfaces. One by one, clear everything off your coffee table. Then move to your side tables. Finally, tackle the top of your entertainment center or TV stand.
  • Sort as You Go: As you pick up each item, make a quick decision:
    • Does it belong here and add to the room’s appeal or function (e.g., a couple of nice coasters, a current book you’re reading, a small decorative piece)? If yes, set it aside to be put back intentionally.
    • Is it trash or recycling (old newspapers, empty wrappers)? Into the “Discard/Recycle” box it goes.
    • Does it belong in another room (a stray sock, a child’s toy, a dirty dish)? Into the “Relocate” box.
    • Is it something you no longer need or love but is in good condition (an old DVD, a decorative item that no longer fits your style)? Into the “Donate” box.
  • Dust and Polish: Once a surface is clear, give it a quick dusting or wipe-down.
  • Curate and Return: Thoughtfully place back only the items you decided truly belong and enhance the space. Aim for a “less is more” approach here. A few well-chosen items look much more serene than a cluttered surface.
• Step 2: Floor Clutter Round-Up
  • Your Action: Scan the living room floor for anything that doesn’t belong there – shoes, bags, piles of books or mail, workout gear, etc.
  • Quick Sort: Gather these items and immediately sort them into your “Relocate,” “Donate,” or “Discard” boxes. The goal is clear floor space!
• Step 3: The Quick Tidy – Remotes, Magazines, and Throws
  • Your Action: Gather all remote controls and place them in a designated spot (a small basket or tray works well). Neatly stack any magazines or books you’re keeping. Fold any throws or blankets and drape them nicely or store them away if not in use. This adds an instant touch of order.

Day 2 Motivation Tip: Look around! With those surfaces cleared and the floor free of random items, your living room should already feel significantly more peaceful and inviting. Imagine relaxing in this calm, decluttered space tonight – that’s your well-deserved reward! Don’t forget to empty your “Relocate” box by putting those items back where they belong.

You’re doing wonderfully in this 7 day declutter challenge! Two days down, and you’re already creating a more serene home. Keep that hopeful spirit alive for Day 3!

5. Day 3: Tackling the Bathroom Chaos – Small Space, Big Impact

Welcome to Day 3 of your empowering 7 day declutter challenge! You’re building such fantastic momentum. Today, we’re tackling the bathroom chaos, and you’ll see how decluttering this small space can have a big impact on how you start and end your day. Bathrooms, though often compact, can quickly become cluttered with half-empty bottles, expired products, and items we simply don’t use anymore. Our goal is to clear out the unnecessary and create a more functional, serene, and hygienic space. This is often a quicker win, which will be a great confidence booster!

Grab your trusty “Donate,” “Discard/Recycle,” and “Relocate” boxes, set your timer for your 30-60 minute session, and let’s make your bathroom a little oasis!

• Step 1: The Medicine Cabinet Clear-Out
  • Your Action: Empty your medicine cabinet (or shelves where you keep medications and toiletries) completely.
  • Ruthless Purge (Safety First!): This is where you need to be a bit ruthless for safety and hygiene.
    • Expired Medications: Check all expiration dates on medications, ointments, etc. Anything expired needs to be discarded safely. (Many pharmacies or local authorities have take-back programs for unused/expired meds – please don’t just flush them or throw them in the regular trash if there’s a better option in your area).
    • Old/Unused Toiletries: That face cream you tried once and didn’t like? The travel-sized shampoos from three years ago? Expired sunscreen? Be honest – if you haven’t used it in months (or it’s past its prime), it’s time for it to go in the “Discard” box.
    • Old Makeup: Mascara should be replaced every 3 months, liquid foundations/concealers often within a year. Check for changes in texture or smell.
  • Wipe and Restock: Wipe down the shelves. Only put back the items you regularly use and that are within their safe usage dates. Group like items together.
• Step 2: Under the Sink Exploration
  • Your Action: Pull everything out from under the bathroom sink.
  • Sort and Simplify: You’ll likely find old cleaning supplies, more toiletries, spare rolls of toilet paper, etc. Sort through it all using your boxes. Are there cleaning products you never use? Leaky bottles? Consolidate where possible.
  • Wipe and Organize: Clean the area and put items back in an organized way. Perhaps use small baskets or containers you already own to group things.
• Step 3: Shower and Tub Tidy-Up
  • Your Action: Take a look at the collection of bottles in your shower or on the edge of your tub.
  • Banish Empties and Nearly-Empties: Gather all those almost-empty shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles. Consolidate them into one if you can, or commit to using them up this week. Discard or recycle the truly empty ones.
  • Old Loofahs/Sponges: These can harbor bacteria. Replace them regularly.
  • Give the surfaces a quick wipe.

Day 3 Motivation Tip: Step back and admire your refreshed bathroom! A clutter-free bathroom feels so much more hygienic and spa-like. This “small space, big impact” day is a fantastic way to feel a real sense of accomplishment. Don’t forget to deal with your “Relocate” box and properly dispose of any medications you’ve discarded.

You’re doing an incredible job with this 7 day declutter challenge! Keep that hopeful energy high – we’re making real progress toward a calmer home.

6. Day 4: Restoring Peace to the Bedroom – Your Victory in the Declutter Challenge

It’s Day 4, and you’re more than halfway through this hopeful journey! Today, we’re focusing on restoring peace to the bedroom, aiming for your victory in the 7 Day Declutter Challenge by creating a more restful and serene personal sanctuary. Our bedrooms should be havens for relaxation and sleep, but they can easily accumulate clothes, books, and random items that disrupt that tranquility. We’ll tackle some key surfaces and dip our toes into a simplified closet sort, keeping our “overwhelmed beginner” approach in mind.

Ready with your timer and your “Donate,” “Discard/Recycle,” and “Relocate” boxes? Let’s make your bedroom a true retreat.

• Step 1: Nightstand Nirvana
  • Your Action: Completely clear off your nightstand(s). Yes, everything!
  • Sort and Simplify: What’s lurking there? Old water glasses, piles of books you mean to read, chargers, random papers? Sort them into your boxes.
  • Wipe Down: Give the surface a good clean.
  • Intentional Essentials Only: Put back only what you truly need or love for your bedside: a lamp, your current book, a small alarm clock (if you use one), perhaps a small, calming decorative item. Keep it minimal for maximum peace.
• Step 2: Dresser Top Declutter
  • Your Action: Similar to the nightstand, clear everything off the top of your dresser or any other flat surfaces in your bedroom (like a vanity or shelves).
  • Quick Decisions: Is it jewelry you don’t wear? Perfume bottles that are empty or you dislike? Knick-knacks collecting dust? Sort into your boxes.
  • Clean and Curate: Wipe the surface and thoughtfully return only items that are beautiful, useful, or bring you joy.
• Step 3: Simplified Closet Sort (Choose ONE Small Section or Category)
  • Your Action (Beginner-Friendly Approach): We’re not overhauling your entire closet today – that can be a challenge all its own! Instead, choose one manageable task:
    • Option A (Visible Floor Clutter): Clear anything off the closet floor that doesn’t belong there (shoes piled up, bags, fallen clothes).
    • Option B (One Type of Clothing): Focus on just one category, like your t-shirts, or your sweaters. Quickly go through them and identify 5-10 items you can confidently donate or discard (ill-fitting, damaged, unworn in over a year).
    • Option C (Just Shoes): Quickly sort through your shoes. Any pairs that are broken beyond repair, uncomfortable, or you never wear?
  • The Goal: Make a small, tangible dent. Don’t get bogged down. The aim is to feel a sense of progress, not perfection.
• Step 4: Banish Bedroom Squatters
  • Your Action: Do a quick scan of the room for anything that clearly doesn’t belong in a bedroom (e.g., dirty dishes, work papers that should be in an office, kids’ toys that have migrated). Put them in your “Relocate” box.

Day 4 Motivation Tip: Take a deep breath and look at your clearer surfaces and that small step you took in your closet. Your bedroom is your sanctuary; let’s make it feel like one! Every item removed is a step towards a more peaceful and restful environment. Don’t forget to empty that “Relocate” box!

You’re making incredible strides in this 7 Day Declutter Challenge! Tackling the bedroom, even in these small ways, can have a huge impact on your overall sense of well-being. Keep up the amazing work!

7. Day 5: The “Catch-All” Zone Blitz – Entryway, Hallway, or That One Problem Spot

It’s Day 5 of our inspiring 7 day declutter challenge, and you are doing an absolutely fantastic job transforming your home, one small area at a time! Today, we’re going to do a “Catch-All” Zone Blitz. This means you get to choose that one specific area in your home – perhaps an entryway, a hallway, or that notorious “problem spot” – that seems to magically attract clutter like a magnet. It could be a console table piled high with mail and keys, a corner where bags and shoes congregate, or a shelf that’s become a repository for “I’ll deal with this later” items. You know the spot I’m talking about!

Giving this specific zone some focused attention today will feel like a massive win and bring a surprising amount of order to an often-overlooked or frustrating area. Get your timer, your trusty boxes, and let’s blitz it!

• Step 1: Identify Your “Catch-All” Target
  • Your Action: Take a moment to walk around your home and pinpoint that one zone that causes you the most visual stress or daily frustration due to accumulated clutter. It doesn’t have to be a whole room; it can be a very specific area. This is your choice today!
• Step 2: The “Everything Out” Maneuver
  • Your Action: Once you’ve chosen your target zone, remove everything from it. If it’s a table, clear it completely. If it’s a corner, pull everything out. If it’s a shelf, empty it. This gives you a blank slate and helps you see exactly what you’re dealing with.
• Step 3: Swift Sorting Session
  • Your Action: With your “Donate,” “Discard/Recycle,” and “Relocate” boxes at the ready, quickly go through every item you just removed.
    • Trash/Recycling: Obvious first. Get rid of it.
    • Doesn’t Belong Here: Items that have a home elsewhere in the house go straight into the “Relocate” box.
    • No Longer Needed/Loved: Be honest. If you don’t use it, need it, or love it, and it’s in good condition, into the “Donate” box it goes.
• Step 4: Clean the Zone and Strategize
  • Your Action: With the area empty, give it a good wipe down or vacuum.
  • Think About Function: Before putting anything back, ask yourself: What is the purpose of this zone? How can I make it function better to prevent future clutter? For an entryway, maybe you need a small key bowl or a mail sorter. For a hallway shelf, perhaps it needs a clear purpose (e.g., just for specific decorative items, not a dumping ground).
• Step 5: Intentional Restock (Less is More!)
  • Your Action: Only put back items that truly belong in that zone and serve its intended purpose. If it’s an entryway table, perhaps a small dish for keys, a neat spot for outgoing mail, and one simple decorative item is all you need. Resist the urge to refill the space just because it’s empty!

Day 5 Motivation Tip: Wow! Conquering that one persistent “problem spot” can feel like a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. It often has a ripple effect, making the surrounding area feel more organized too. Celebrate this targeted victory! And, as always, make sure to empty that “Relocate” box.

You’re making such incredible progress in this 7 day declutter challenge. Each day you’re building not just a tidier home, but also stronger decluttering habits and a more hopeful outlook!

8. Day 6: Office Space Refresh (or Your Paper Clutter Corner)

We’re nearing the finish line of our incredible 7 day declutter challenge – can you feel the momentum? Today, on Day 6, we’re diving into an office space refresh, or if you don’t have a dedicated office, we’ll tackle that notorious paper clutter corner that seems to breed piles overnight! Paper clutter, whether it’s bills, mail, old notes, or work-from-home remnants, can be a huge source of visual stress and make it hard to find what you actually need. Our aim today is to make a significant dent in this area, creating a clearer space for thought and productivity.

Remember, we’re still in “overwhelmed beginner” mode, so we’re not trying to create a perfectly filed, color-coded system today. We’re focused on clearing surfaces, making quick decisions on obvious paper clutter, and perhaps organizing one small drawer. Grab your boxes, set that timer, and let’s get to it!

• Step 1: The Desk Surface Serenity
  • Your Action: If you have a desk, start by completely clearing its surface. Remove everything – papers, pens, computer, decor, everything!
  • Wipe it Clean: Give that newly empty surface a satisfying wipe-down.
  • Sort the Surface Items: Go through what you removed.
    • Trash/Recycle: Old sticky notes, junk mail, pens that don’t work.
    • Relocate: Mugs to the kitchen, books to shelves, etc.
    • Keep on Desk: Only return absolute essentials: your computer/laptop, a lamp if needed, a pen holder with a few working pens, and perhaps one small, inspiring item. Less is definitely more for a productive desk.
• Step 2: Tackle ONE Pile of Paper (The Quick Sort Method)
  • Your Action: Choose one visible pile of paper that’s been bothering you. Don’t try to do all your paper today!
  • The “Touch it Once” (ish) Rule: As you pick up each piece of paper, try to make an immediate decision. Have three piles ready:
    • ACTION: Needs to be paid, filled out, responded to, or filed specifically. Put these in a single, neat pile or a designated “Action” tray.
    • FILE (Simple for Now): Important documents you need to keep (tax info, medical records, warranties). For today, just put them in one “To File” pile or folder. We’re not creating a complex filing system now, just separating them.
    • RECYCLE/SHRED: Junk mail, old flyers, notes you no longer need. (Be sure to shred anything with sensitive information).
  • The Goal: Get through that one pile. Don’t get bogged down reading every single thing in detail unless it’s clearly an “Action” item.
• Step 3: One Drawer Detox (Optional, if time allows)
  • Your Action: If your desk has drawers and you have a little extra time/energy, choose just one drawer to quickly declutter.
  • Empty and Sort: Same process as the kitchen drawer – take everything out, sort into your main boxes (Donate, Discard, Relocate), wipe it down, and put back only what belongs and is useful.

Day 6 Motivation Tip: Doesn’t that clearer desk or that diminished paper pile feel amazing? A clearer workspace often leads to a clearer mind and boosts your productivity and sense of calm. Even if you just tackled one pile, that’s one less pile causing visual noise! Deal with your “Relocate” box as usual.

You are so close to completing this 7 day declutter challenge! The consistency you’re showing is fantastic. One more day to go, and then we celebrate and talk maintenance!

9. Day 7: Celebration and Maintenance – Keeping Your Newly Organized Spaces Tidy!

Hooray, you’ve made it to Day 7 of your 7 day declutter challenge! This is a huge accomplishment, and I am so incredibly proud of the effort and commitment you’ve shown this past week. Today is all about celebration and then looking at simple maintenance to help you keep your newly organized spaces feeling tidy and calm. You’ve tackled kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, catch-all zones, and office spaces – that’s a lot of progress! Take a moment right now to acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Our main focus for your 30-60 minute session today is twofold: a quick refresh of the areas you’ve already decluttered, and then learning one super simple habit to help maintain your hard work.

• Step 1: The Victory Lap Tidy-Up (5-10 Minutes Per Previously Cleared Area)
  • Your Action: Go back through each of the areas you decluttered on Days 1 through 6.
    • Kitchen (Day 1): Quickly wipe down that clear counter. Anything crept back that doesn’t belong? Relocate it.
    • Living Room (Day 2): Fluff those cushions, straighten any magazines. Any new surface clutter? Deal with it swiftly.
    • Bathroom (Day 3): Quick wipe of the counter. Any new empty bottles in the shower?
    • Bedroom (Day 4): Make your bed (if you haven’t already!). Clear your nightstand.
    • Catch-All Zone (Day 5): Is it still clear? Great! If a few things have landed there, sort them quickly.
    • Office Space (Day 6): Clear your desk surface again. Any new papers to quickly sort into Action/File/Recycle?
  • The Goal: This isn’t about re-decluttering. It’s a quick “reset” to reinforce the new level of tidiness and to see how good these spaces can look with minimal daily effort now that the bulk of the clutter is gone.
• Step 2: Introduce ONE Simple Maintenance Habit – The “One-Minute Rule”
  • Your Action (and Ongoing Commitment): My favorite super-simple habit for maintaining order is the “One-Minute Rule.” It goes like this: If a task takes less than one minute to complete, do it immediately.
  • Examples:
    • Putting your coffee mug in the dishwasher instead of leaving it on the counter.
    • Hanging up your coat as soon as you walk in the door.
    • Putting a book back on the shelf after reading.
    • Wiping up a small spill right away.
    • Opening and sorting mail immediately over the recycling bin.
  • Why it Works: So many small, undone tasks accumulate to create that feeling of overwhelming clutter. By tackling these “one-minute” items instantly, you prevent them from piling up in the first place. It’s amazing how effective this one little rule can be!
• Step 3: CELEBRATE Your Achievement!
  • Your Action: Seriously, celebrate! You dedicated time and energy for seven straight days. You faced the clutter and you made progress. That deserves recognition.
  • How to Celebrate (Budget-Friendly Ideas):
    • Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in your newly serene living room.
    • Take a relaxing bath in your decluttered bathroom.
    • Read a chapter of a book at your clear desk.
    • Simply walk through your home and appreciate the increased calm and space.
    • Tell a friend or family member about your success!

Day 7 Motivation Tip: You’ve not only decluttered parts of your home, but you’ve also built a new skill and a more hopeful mindset. You’ve proven to yourself that you can make a change. This momentum is precious! The “One-Minute Rule” is your first step towards making this new level of tidiness a sustainable part of your life.

Congratulations again on completing the 7 day declutter challenge! You should feel incredibly proud. Now, let’s talk about what wonderful organizational adventures might come next!

10. You Did It! What’s Next on Your Organization Journey?

You absolutely did it! You completed the 7 Day Declutter Challenge, and I hope you’re surrounded by spaces that feel lighter, calmer, and more joyful. Take a really good look around at what you’ve accomplished this week. From conquering kitchen counters to refreshing your bedroom sanctuary and tackling those pesky clutter hotspots, you’ve made tangible, visible progress. More importantly, you’ve invested in yourself and your home, proving that even with a feeling of overwhelm, taking small, consistent steps can lead to truly wonderful changes. That feeling of hope and accomplishment? That’s all you.

This challenge was designed to be a powerful starting point, a way to break through the inertia of clutter and show you that an organized home is within your reach. It’s about building momentum and discovering that you have the ability to transform your environment. The skills and the mindset you’ve started to cultivate this week – making decisions about what to keep, letting go of what no longer serves you, and the discipline of daily action – are foundations you can build upon.

So, what’s next on your organization journey? The possibilities are exciting!

• Deep Dive into a Specific Room: Perhaps one of the rooms we touched on this week sparked a desire for a more thorough organization session. You could dedicate another week (or a few focused sessions) to fully declutter and organize just that one space, like your entire kitchen or a deep closet purge.
• Explore Different Organizing Methods: Now that you’ve had a taste of decluttering, you might be curious about specific organizing philosophies like the KonMari Method™, or perhaps a more minimalist approach. Use your newfound confidence to explore what resonates with you.
• Focus on Systems and Habits: Beyond just decluttering, you can start thinking about creating simple systems for things like mail management, laundry, or meal planning to help keep things running smoothly. The “One-Minute Rule” we introduced is just the beginning!
• Simply Enjoy Your Space: And of course, one of the best next steps is to simply enjoy the fruits of your labor. Relish the calm, appreciate the order, and use the extra mental energy you’ve gained from having less clutter to focus on things you love.

No matter what you choose, remember that organization isn’t a one-time event, but an ongoing, evolving practice. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and continue to cultivate a home that supports and uplifts you. You’ve taken a massive, hopeful step forward, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of your 7 day declutter challenge success!

11. FAQ: Your 7 Day Declutter Challenge Questions Answered

Here are answers to a few common questions that might arise as you complete or consider this hopeful challenge:

1. What if I miss a day or don’t finish a room completely in the allotted time?
Please don’t worry! This 7 day declutter challenge is a flexible guide, not a strict set of rules. Life happens! If you miss a day, just pick up where you left off when you can. If you don’t fully complete a room in your 30-60 minute slot, that’s perfectly okay too. The goal is progress, not perfection. Any amount of decluttering is a step in the right direction. Just celebrate what you did accomplish and continue when you’re ready.

2. I still feel overwhelmed by some areas even after the challenge. What should I do?
That’s completely understandable, especially if you started with a lot of clutter. This challenge is designed as a powerful starting point to build momentum and hope. If some areas still feel overwhelming, consider:

• Breaking it Down Further: Take the principles from this challenge and apply them to even smaller sections within that room (e.g., one shelf, one corner, one type of item).
• Focusing on Categories: You could try decluttering by category next (e.g., all your books from all rooms, then all your clothes).
  Remember, it’s a journey, and it’s okay to take more time on areas that need it.

3. How do I decide what to keep versus what to donate/discard, especially if I’m sentimental?
Decision-making can be tough! For this beginner challenge, focus on the easier wins first. If you’re stuck on sentimental items, use the “Maybe Box” idea mentioned in the preparation section – store items you’re unsure about for a set period. For other items, ask yourself simple questions like: “Have I used this in the last year?” or “Does this item genuinely add value or joy to my life, or does it feel like a burden?” Trust your gut; often, your first instinct is right.

4. Now that I’ve decluttered, do I need to buy a lot of organizing products?
Not necessarily, and definitely not right away! The main goal of this challenge is to reduce the amount of stuff you have. Often, once you’ve decluttered, you’ll find you have more space and might not need as many organizers as you thought. Try to use containers or boxes you already own first. Live with your newly decluttered spaces for a bit, see how you use them, and then if you identify a specific need (like drawer dividers for your newly decluttered utensil drawer), you can consider a purchase. Focus on decluttering first, organizing second.

5. What’s the single most important tip for maintaining the progress I’ve made this week?
If I had to pick just one, it would be to embrace the “One-Minute Rule” we talked about on Day 7: if a task takes less than one minute, do it immediately. This prevents small things from piling up. Another powerful habit is the “one in, one out” rule: for every new item that comes into your home, try to let go of a similar old item. These simple habits are game-changers for long-term maintenance!