Purge Just 7 Things – A Weekend Challenge
This was originally published in April, 2009.
Getting bogged down with stuff? Me too. It’s no secret that I love simplicity, decluttering and organizing but I’m by no means perfect in any of these regards. In fact things are starting to pile up around the house and I feel that there is stuff everywhere. But I’ve accepted that these things come and go in cycles and require periodic reworking.
I love getting rid of things either through donating, recycling or, if there’s no other option, just throwing it out. When I donate something I love the thought of my tiny treasure maybe helping someone else. I also really like all the space it creates when the item is finally gone. I feel like I can take a deep breath, I’m more relaxed and the world is right again.
If you’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the stuff piling up around you then join me in a purge this weekend. It won’t take long, it won’t hurt and it’ll be just a tiny step closer to where you want to be.
7 things. That’s it. It’s totally up to you which 7 you want to start with. Here are some ideas that you can use to inspire you to get started.
- Papers. Recycle, where appropriate, fliers, computer print-outs, brochures, old magazines, scrap papers, lists, manuals, news papers etc. If you have a pile of papers in the corner of the room somewhere now is the time to get rid of it! If you can easily come by this information again toss it and with the vastness of the internet there should be very little that you actually need to keep.
- Medicine and cosmetics. Medicine does have an expiry date. Take a minute to go through your medicine cabinet and purge all expired pills, cough medicine, ointments, make-up, and creams. If you have expired prescription medication consider taking it to a pharmacy to have them properly disposed of.
- Clothes. With summer just around the corner now’s a great time to go through all your winter clothes as you get ready to put them into storage. If those jeans are too tight, you don’t like the way that shirt fits then donate it to your local thrift store. There are many people that could benefit greatly from your generosity.
- Shoes. Pulling out the summer shoes is a great time to take stock of what you have. Do you have any pairs that are particularly ratty, uncomfortable to wear, impractical, or that you just don’t like? If yes, then there’s no reason to hang on to them they are just taking up precious space.
- Multiples. If you have multiple items that you really only need one of consider getting rid of the extra one. Donate it, sell it, regift it or just give it to someone who could use it. If you have 2 mice (mouses?) for the computer do you really need 2? Do you really need 5 mixing bowls or 10 tupperware containers without their appropriate lids? If not keep what you need or use and get rid of the rest.
- Broken items. If you have items that are broken and in need of repair either set them aside to be fixed and DO IT and failing that get rid of them! Don’t keep them for parts or for any other excuse you use to justify the item collecting dust on your shelf…GET RID OF IT!
- Travel sized anything. I was guilty of collecting these too. I travelled a lot for work and everytime I stayed at a hotel I would bring home the tiny travel bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I always had the intention of taking it with me the next time I travelled or to give to guests when they stayed at our place. Know what? The next time I travelled there were more tiny bottles in the hotel room so I didn’t need my stash and in terms of overnight guests…how often did we have guests stay over? Not that often, and if they did I never gave them the tiny bottles to use. So if you are a collector of tiny beauty products and they are unused and still good consider rounding them all up and dropping off at a local women’s shelter. Instead of taking up precious cupboard space you could make a huge difference to someone who really needs it.
- Cups and mugs. If your kitchen cupboards are overloaded take stock of what you’ve got. If you absolutely can not part with any of your glassware consider moving some to a different location. Be realistic with what you use on a daily basis if that’s 4 mugs, 2 glasses and a cup then perhaps keep 6 mugs, 4 glasses and 2 cups in your kitchen cupboards and store the rest in a storage closet or bin. If your cupboards are over crowded you increase the chances of breaks or chips and you’ll end up having to throw them out anyway.
- Stationary. Just like the travel sized goodies, I used to collect pens as well. If you have a million and one pens it’s a good idea to go through each and every one to make sure that they write and if not through it out! Then keep just a few of those that actually work. Choose pens or pencils that write well, feel nice in your hand and that you enjoy using. The rest can go!
- Furniture. This is a bit of biggie and will take a bit more effort to get done but if there’s a chair, a table or an ottoman that just isn’t working for you get rid of it! I’m quite certain it’s not making you happy and is taking up room that you could be putting to better use.
- Knick-knacks. We all have little bits and pieces kicking around the house whether it be wall hangings or decorative vases. Decide if they really need to be out on display and if not, do you really need them? After a while items tend to blend into the background and we don’t really notice them any more. Pay attention as you scan a room, what is unnecessarily taking up space? Can you do without it? If so get rid of it.
So this weekend take a look around, determine what’s bugging you the most and take action. Clean a junk drawer, simplify a bookshelf, organize your home office or declutter your kitchen cupboards. The thing to remember is keep it simple, make it quick, choose 7 things and get them out of the house! You might find that once you start you may get the “bug” and end up purging more than you initially set out to do which is fantastic! But if it’s not easy, as it isn’t for a lot of people, start small and if you can at least do 7 you’re off to a great start!
So what things are you going to purge this weekend? Let me know by 
following me on twitter or leaving a comment below.
See also:
Tips For Creating A Gift Wrap Station
Spring Cleaning Food: Use Up The Old, Make Way For The Fresh
Got Books? Tips To Decluttering and Organizing Your Personal Library
Eliminate Clutter Part 1: The Cost of Clutter and Where Does it Come From?
Photo courtesy of: el patojo
26 Responses to “Purge Just 7 Things – A Weekend Challenge”
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Great timing for me Sherri.
We are about to have a massive clear out this weekend, and I cannot wait. It is going to be hard work, but the end result would not just be a less cluttered house, but I think we will feel refreshed by the experience.
My only worry is we may find those long lost items and keep them just because we haven’t used them for a while. My feeling is if we haven’t used it in 6 months, then it goes. Having said that I am sure to hoard something.
Garry – thisimprovedlife’s last blog post..Treat Each Day As a New Chapter
We’ve just finished a new room at our house, so we’re moving things around right now. Times like these are when you start to see how much extra “stuff” you really own.
I’m going to be getting rid of at least 7 things this weekend. Great article!
Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book’s last blog post..7 Things You Don’t Know About Me
Great idea! I’m a huge fan of getting rid of things and so many of my friends and family members have a hard time with this. I’m going to pass along this post to them and hopefully it’ll help. I love that you say “just 7.” This will definitely help people who have trouble purging because they can say to themselves, “Oh, it’s only 7 things! I do that!” Baby steps…
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
You caught me with the travel sized stuff! Ali and I just got back from Chateau Elan and I couldn’t resist bringing the little bottles of shampoo and lotion from the spa. Guess what I did with them… dumped them into the drawer that is FULL of those things! I don’t even know why I bring them home.
I’m starting my spring cleaning with THAT drawer this weekend.
Thanks!
Lisis | Quest For Balance’s last blog post..Fellowship Fridays: Be True to Yourself, and to Others
I’m going to do clothes this weekend and I bet I get rid of more than 7 things.
Roger – A Content Life’s last blog post..Staying Open-Minded With Others
Great post! I love just about anything that has to do with de-cluttering. We all have just TOO MUCH STUFF! I agree that there are people that can benefit from our generosity, but I’m convinced that having all that stuff creates a psychological burden. Cleaning out the house is akin to lifting that burden.
Jeff Lee’s last blog post..Why are you staying in? Sub JO interview: Josh Chisholm
Time and again I have tried to make things simple but I often end up complicated. Maybe I will try again
jun bullan’s last blog post..A Movie To Watch
Inspiring post.
Our stuff takes up so much more of our energy and time than we think. The less stuff we have the lighter we feel.
At the beginning of this year I pretended I was moving overseas. I simplified so many areas of my life because of it which took me around 2 months.
It felt so good.
Thanks again.
Peace, love and chocolate
Carole
Carole -Rejuvenation Lounge’s last blog post..Lift Your Mood With A Chocolate Facial:
I’m like Jeff! I love anything to do with de-cluttering. Just last weekend, we loaded a bunch of stuff into the trunk to go to Goodwill. This weekend I will add some more to it, at least 7 things!
Paper clutter is, by far, my worst problem! Every time I take my paper bin down to the recycle barn I feel a little lighter. Maybe I should aim for 7 pounds of paper this weekend.
So excited to find your blog today ~ and adore this challenge! Thank you so much for dreaming it UP
Goddess Leonie | GoddessGuidebook.com’s last blog post..Ask Goddess Leonie: How to create your own website for your big dream
Great tips! I’ve been on a decluttering streak for a while, now. I’m attempting to make my living space as simple and open as possible. I find that the more stuff that I get rid of, the more peaceful life becomes.
Jay Schryer’s last blog post..Dear Daughter
Wow you guys are so awesome! I’m glad that some of you are going to participate this weekend, that’s GREAT!
Remember to start small and keep it simple, like Positively Present said “It’s only 7 things I can do that”
. Living in a decluttered space can work wonders on reducing your stress level so you can chill out and relax without all your stuff nagging at you!
Welcome to Jeff Lee, jun bullan, and Goddess Leonie. Thank you all for leaving a comment!
@ jun bullan – definitely give it another try and seriously start with only a small number of things and that’s it leave it at that. Then do it again the next day or a couple of days later. Best of luck!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Sherri,
I love purging! Did shoes lately, and now you’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks!
Daphne’s last blog post..Back to the Start: Why You Do What You Do
Hey Daphne that’s great shoes are the hardest for me, I just love all my sandals…but that’s what I’m going to go through today wish me luck
Great idea! In fact, I’m going to do that tomorrow since Monday is trash/recycling day for us.
We’ve been working on decluttering for a while and now that we’re contemplating moving in the near future, this is going to be even more important for us.
Carla’s last blog post..Green and CHEAP – Hanging out to dry
great post
You know this is actually harder than it looks. I was sitting around for 5 minutes looking at my old stuff and going “hmm…I don’t need it…then again…I miss it…then again…it’s so old…then again…it has sentimental value…”
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net’s last blog post..Personal Growth from the Inside Out
@ Carla – Welcome! Moving is a great time to declutter. We moved nearly a year ago to a much smaller home. It was great opportunity to get rid of many of the non-essentials we simply didn’t have the room in our new home. Good luck with decluttering and with the move!
@hkki – Thanks!
@ Albert – It is sometimes difficult to get started but once you’re on a roll it can fun
When an object has sentimental value it’s really tough to get rid of it. We’ve started taking pictures of items that have sentimental value before donating them. I find it’s not the physical thing that we’re attached to but rather the memories that they conjure up. So having a picture of the item allows you to reminisce every now and again without it taking up space. Just a thought…hope you had some luck this weekend 
I came late to decluttering. It is still not natural to me but I love the feeling it gives me when I slog through and do it. I attacked my work area at home this weekend. It seems to be heading quickly back towards my genetic equilibrium though!
Thanks for these idea, especially the clothes. I don’t wear 90% of them but I “might” someday so I seem to want to hang on to them all.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap’s last blog post..Harness the Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Changing Your Inner State
Sherri
I am so going to have to get my wife to read this. I keep putting stuff in bags to throw out, she keeps promising to take them out to friends or charity shop (I would do it myself … but it’s a long story! There’s a good reason. Honest!) but never does.
Now we just have stuff piled into bags in the cupboards rather than loose stuff. Which is a small step in the right direction I guess!
I’m really glad I found this article. My community is having two great events coming up in a little over a week. One event is a free bulk shredding day, where I plan to take all my old confidential documents and receipts that I no longer need, which will clear A LOT of clutter out of my home office; and the other event is a free medicine disposal event, so I’m going to go through all my over the counter and prescription medicines for those that I don’t like, don’t use or that are expired. I know how I’ll be spending my weekend, and I’m actually looking forward to it.
I have been meaning to sort out my wardrobe and desk for the longest time, this is the inspiration I needed! I love the feeling after a big sort out when all looks clear, there is more space and rooms even look bigger. I’m sure I relax better when the place is like this,
Best wishes,
Kate.