Look, I’ll be real with you – my house used to look like a tornado had permanently taken up residence. Mountains of stuff everywhere, drawers bursting at the seams, and closets that were more like black holes of forgotten items. So, right after I had my second baby boy (2 weeks postpartum, to be exact) – I started a crazy decluttering challenge.
I remember standing in my cluttered closet, feeling very pregnant and thinking, “This is ridiculous.” And let’s be honest, I was tired of spending hours looking for that one specific pair of maternity leggings buried under a pile of… well, everything.
So, I decided to get serious about decluttering. Not just a quick sweep, but a full-on, take-no-prisoners approach to clearing out the unnecessary. I created a systematic plan to eliminate 100 items before the new year, and let me tell you, it was both terrifying and incredibly liberating.
Here’s the deal: Decluttering isn’t just about throwing things away. It’s about being intentional with the stuff that takes up space in your home and, honestly, in your life. I started with some easy wins to build momentum.
This blog post was all about the craziest decluttering challenge to declutter over 100 things from your life!
First up? Kitchen gadgets. Those single-use tools that seemed like a great idea at the time but now just collect dust. That electric can opener? Gone. The small rice cooker that I used once but had it stored for 10+ years inside that one cabinet that is above the fridge? Bye-bye.
Clothing was my next battlefield. I used the “haven’t worn in a year” rule ruthlessly. Those jeans from three sizes ago? Donated. The white sweater with the makeup stain that “might” come out? Trashed. The leggings with the zipper on the bottom that annoys me, and I only wore once? Gifted. I ended up clearing out over 100 items from my closet alone.
Paperwork was another monster. Old bills, random receipts, and instruction manuals for appliances I no longer owned all went to the trash.
Some unexpected categories surprised me. Like my collection of random mugs, expired pantry items, and those “just in case” electronics chargers. Who needs 17 micro-USB cables when everything’s gone USB-C now? Not me.
A few ground rules that helped me stay sane:
- If it doesn’t spark joy or serve a clear purpose, it goes
- One item in means one item out
- Donations are better than trash when possible
- Be honest about what you actually use
- Don’t let selling the item keep you from decluttering
By the time my maternity leave was over, I’d not only hit my 100-item goal but blew past it. My space felt different. Lighter. More intentional. And the best part? I could actually find things when I needed them.
Some folks might think this sounds extreme, but trust me, decluttering is like a mental reset button. Each item you remove is one less thing competing for your attention, one less thing to clean, organize, or worry about.
A word of caution: Don’t try to do this all in one day. Break it down. Let’s tackle a drawer here a shelf there. Consistency is key. Some days you’ll feel like a decluttering ninja. On other days, you’ll struggle to let go of a ratty t-shirt from college.
Semantic keywords for my fellow organization enthusiasts: minimalism, home organization, decluttering tips, new year reset, streamlining living spaces.
The journey of decluttering is personal. What works for me might not work exactly the same for you. But I promise you this – there’s something incredibly freeing about creating space, both physically and mentally.
So. Are you ready to say goodbye to 100+ things? Your future, less-cluttered self is cheering you on.
Start With Your Car:
- Old insurance cards,
- Expired vehicle registrations
- Random receipts
- Takeout menus, napkins, plastic utensils
- Outdated maps
- Rusty tools, broken jumper cables
- Trash, plastic bottles, etc.
- First aid kit with expired medications
- Cables, chargers, cords
- Clothes, sweaters, coats
- Blankets, gloves, hats
- Shopping bags, cardboard boxes
- Toys, books, games
Declutter the Entryway:
- Mail, papers, junk mail
- Shoes, boots, and sandals
- Coats, scarves, gloves
- Backpacks, purses, bags
Declutter Your Primary Bedroom and Closet:
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Bedding and pillows
- Nightstand, vanities, and junk drawer nicknacks
- Slippers, socks, and underwear
- Loungewear and pyjamas
- Jewelry, perfumes
Declutter Where the Poop Happens (Bathrooms):
- Lotions, cleansers, scrubs, and makeup removers
- Toothbrushes, dental floss, toothpaste
- Pads and tampons
- Body sprays and perfumes
- Hair accessories (brush, bobby pins, clips, etc.)
- Hair tools (dryer, iron, etc.)
- Shampoos and body wash
- Makeup and cosmetics (primer, concealer, eyeshadows, blush, mascara, brushes, etc.)
- Razors and shaving creams
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Cotton balls and Q-tips
- Tweezers and waxing kits
- Loofahs and washcloths
- Bath mats and rugs
- Medicine
- First aid supplies
- Towels and facecloths
- Bath toys
- Candles, incense, sprays
Declutter the Money Maker Room (Home Office):
- Office Supplies
- Paperwork and files
- Cords and electronics
- Books, magazines, and reference materials
Declutter Heart of the Home (La Kitchen):
- Plates and bowls
- Mugs, cups
- Utensils, spatulas, mixing spoons, etc.
- Appliances, gadgets and gizmos
- Pots and pans
- Tupperware
- Silverware, spoons, forks, knives, etc.
- Wine glasses and shot glasses
- Spices and seasonings
- Baking ingredients and bakeware
- Expired food
- Cleaning supplies
- Pet supplies and food
- Storage bags, food wrap, plastic bags, tin foil, etc.
- Towels and cleaning cloths
- Oven mittens and hot pads
Declutter the Living Room (not the dead and dusty room):
- Books, magazines, newspapers
- Home Decor
- DVDs, Video games
- Cords and electronics
- Throw pillows and blankets
- Toys and games
Declutter the Dining room:
- Dining chairs and cushions
- Table linens
- Centerpieces and decor
Declutter the Kid’s Bedrooms (or rather help them do it):
- Toys
- Clothes
- Crafts and art supplies
- Shoes
- Winter coats
- Games and video games
- Books
- Stuffed animals
- Burp cloths and blankets
- Baby gadgets and gizmos
- Cords and electronics
Declutter La Laundry Room:
- Laundry soap and supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Vacuums, steam mops, mops, buckets
Don’t forget About Those Linen Closets:
- Bath towels, hand towels
- Beach towels
- Sheets and duvet covers
- Pillowcases
- Blankets and covers
- Shower curtains
And Last But Not Least: Storage rooms, Basement, Garage
- Rugs
- Memory bins
- Holiday Decor
- Power tools, screws, nails, etc.
- Bikes and sports equipment
- Car repair and maintenance items
- Outdoor and seasonal furniture
- Vases, plant pots
This blog post was all about the craziest decluttering challenge to declutter over 100 things from your life!
