A couple of weeks ago a friend on Facebook posted something about a 40 bags in 40 days challenge. It immediately got my attention because I tend to actually get things done when their is a challenge involved. After reading up on the 40 bags in 40 days I found several different versions but all with basically the same concept. Get rid of a lot of stuff in limited amount of time.
The 40 bags in 40 days challenge typically starts on March 1st. But you know what? You can do this challenge ANYTIME YOU WOULD LIKE! In fact, I started mine a few days ago. So far it’s going great and I am really starting to see a difference in the amount of junk I have accumulated over the years.
What To Get Rid Of
If you need a few ideas on things to get rid of or where to get rid of things, here are some of my suggestions.
- Junk Drawer
- Laundry Room
- Utensil Drawer in Kitchen
- Shoe closet
- Pantry
- Jewelry drawer
- Makeup Bag
- Movie collection (who else has 1 million different DVD’s that haven’t been watched in years)
- Old CD collection
- Computer desk
- Computer Drawers
- Under your bed
- Under your kids bed
- Medicine cabinet
- Kids closets
- Toy Box
- Book shelves
- YOUR CAR!
- Nightstand Shelve and Drawer
- Magazine Stand
- Old Pots & Pans
- Cups
- Old Dishes
- Clothes that Don’t fit
- Clothes you haven’t worn in 1 year+
- Mismatch or Socks with holes in them
- Tupperware with missing lids
- Lids from missing tupperware
- Old paperwork
- Bath toys
- Scrapbook Stuff
- Old or duplicate pictures
- Board Games
- Refrigerator
- Purse
Things you need before you start the 40 bags in 40 days challenge
Before you get started there are a few items that I highly suggest you have on hand. Not only will it help you with the purging process but it will help you keep things neat and organized after you get rid of all the stuff.
Heavy Duty Garbage Bags
Heavy Duty Contractor Garbage Bags are a MUST!
While normal garbage bags will certainly do the trick, I highly suggest picking up a package of contractor bags. These are the ones I use. While they are a little more expensive than kitchen trash bags, they work so much better. Plus you can fit more stuff inside one. The thing that sold me on using these heavy duty bags is that they are very hard to put a hole in. I found before that I would end up having to double bag things before because the bag would get so full it would start to tear. Not with these bags. They hold a lot and they are tough so you can put all sorts of stuff inside them. Trust me on this one.
How to Get Rid of Sentimental Things
Ok, this one is probably my biggest challenge. I have so many special things that have just collected over the year such as pictures, art work, even years and years worth of my kids school work. It’s out of control. But I have a really hard time letting go. After reading some really great inspirational articles on living stress free, I’ve come to find that all these “sentimental things” do is bring me unwanted stress. Think about it. How hard is it for you to sit down with your kids and relax when the house is a mess? For me, it’s really hard because I can’t focus. When you have less things in the house, your home stays picked up. The more clutter, the more stress. So unless it’s something that is absolutely irreplaceable..it’s going Bye Bye. I really doubt my kids will be interested or care about seeing what grade they made on their 1st grade math test.
40 bags in 40 days Printable
Because I am a visual person, I figured I needed to make myself a printable so that I could see it everyday and be reminded of what needs to get done. This is an easy printable that you can put on your fridge, desk, computer screen, wherever to help remind you..”Hey. I need to get rid of some junk today”. To print just click o the photo and hit print. I even laminated mine so that I could use it again next year.
I’d love to hear if you’ll be doing the challenge! Or if you’ve done it before what are some tips you can give all of use newbies. Leave me a comment below.