Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

Everyone enjoyed it the last time I had a set of mini missions based on colour, so I thought I would do that again this week. I have chosen a colour for each day and all you have to do is find something to declutter that is that colour. This is a very visual set of missions so that makes it quite easy to spot things to match. So good luck and happy decluttering.

Monday – Declutter something that is yellow

Tuesday - Declutter something that is brown

Wednesday - Declutter something that is white

Thursday - Declutter something that is red

Friday - Declutter something that is black

Saturday - Declutter something that is green

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

If you see someone looking a little lost, when out and about in your town, stop and see if you can help them find what they are looking for.

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

This week, for our mini missions, we are going to visit little nooks and crannies around the house which may have, up until now, remained untouched by human hands, or the vacuum cleaner for that matter, during our previous decluttering efforts. I will list seven places I have thought of below, but if you have already taken care of these areas or you don’t have them in your home make some up for yourself. Don’t just declutter these areas give them a clean up as well.

Monday – The bottom of your linen closet.

Tuesday – A corner of your garage, attic or basement.

Wednesday – The cupboard under the stairs.

Thursday – Under your bed or any other bed in the house.

Friday – The cupboard/space under your laundry or kitchen sink.

Saturday – The top or bottom shelf of the pantry.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

The idea behind this set of mini mission and all the great examples was brought to you by Peggy. Great and original idea Peggy, thank you. As you can guess by the title your mission this week is to declutter containers of all sorts. Bonus points for declutter the stuff in the container as well.

Monday – Declutter excess travel containers ~ Suitcases, overnight bags, toiletries bags etc.

Tuesday – Declutter excess Food containers ~ Mugs, coolers, thermos, Tupperware and the like, drinking glasses, bowls etc.

Wednesday - Declutter excess empty containers ~ Hat Boxes, shoe boxes, appliance boxes, plastic bags,  large storage containers you are aspiring never to fill again, etc.

Thursday – Declutter excess disposable containers ~ Plastic bags, takeaway containers, envelopes, paper bags, old shopping bags, empty jars, those little medicine bottles you think you might have a use for someday etc.

Friday - Declutter miscellaneous storage containers ~ Eyeglass cases, trinket boxes, jewellery boxes, vases,

Saturday – Declutter portable containers ~ Totes, handbags, purses etc

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

Give a street person some cash instead of just passing by. Do just walk away because you think the money won’t be put to good use. Just be glad that isn’t your lot in life.

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

So the idea behind this week’s mini missions title is to have you getting rid of some stuff in your home that is next to useless to you. The “I might need it one day!” or the “I only use it maybe once a year but it is still useful!” …. kind of objects or items you avoid using for one reason or another. Just take ten minutes on each suggestion this week and ask yourself do I really need this item or is it not worth the space it is taking up. Let’s see shall we.

Monday – Declutter one single-use kitchen gadget.

Tuesday – Declutter a tool anywhere else in the house that rarely gets used. Anything that a little improvisation could mean you don’t need it at all.

Wednesday – A beauty product that doesn’t live up to its advertising hype. And in future investigate the “science” behind such products in order be educated as to whether they will actually work before laying your hard earned money down.

Thursday – Anything in your closet that you avoid wearing because it makes you feel uncomfortable when you wear it. Be that physically or mentally uncomfortable.

Friday – Anything past its best by date. Toiletries, food, medicines etc.

Saturday – A purely decor item. These are useful if they bring you pleasure but if they are simply there out of habit and collecting dust then maybe they a next to useless.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

Pick up a piece of litter that you encounter and toss it in the trash. This will make life just that little bit nicer for the next person who comes along without them even knowing it.

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

So this week the theme for our mini missions is “In The Way.” I am sure we all have clutter that is getting in the way of life. Use these mission to identify a few and get them our of the way. It never ceases to amaze me how a few little tweaks can make such a large effect on efficiency.

Monday – Declutter something that is in the way, resulting in adding an unwanted degree of difficulty when housecleaning.

Tuesday – Declutter something that is in the way making it difficult to shut a cupboard or drawer.

Wednesday – Declutter something that is constantly in the way when you are trying to get to something else more useful to you.

Thursday – Declutter a few of something that you have too many off causing decision making to get in the way of getting ready for the day. Like clothes, cosmetics, perfume, shoes, accessories…

Friday – Declutter something that is getting in the way of your happiness. Perhaps some obligation clutter.

Saturday – Rearrange a small area of your home where disorganisation is getting in the way of doing things efficiently. Perhaps you will find something to declutter in the process. Perhaps a shelf in your pantry or linen closet, a drawer in your kitchen, wardrobe or desk…

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

Let a random stranger go ahead of you at the register in a shop if you aren’t in a hurry or if they only have a couple of items to pay for when you have several.

I received a comment from Bernadette on the 365 Less Things Facebook page this week that said…

“I enjoy getting rid of things. It is so liberating. Got rid of a bunch of old photos today.” 

And that is a great example of the key to getting anything done, which is enjoying the process. If you can get yourself to that point, with any challenge, then how can you fail. After all, who won’t do whatever they can to find some time in their day to do the things they enjoy doing.

I have always enjoyed my decluttering which was what made it such a success for me. Even when it also required rearranging things which can be physically taxing. The key to getting to that point for me was deciding to do it slowly and effortlessly. Just those two words make it sound like something that could therefore be enjoyable. And it was. As Bernadette said “It is so liberating.”

Liberating because the less stuff you have the less maintenance is required to keep it all in good shape. Liberating because the more you let go the more you realise how little you really need, therefore you don’t shop so much anymore. That liberates you from the desire to acquire which, for me, was certainly a big bonus of the process of decluttering. And shopping is very time consuming, just getting to the shops generally takes longer than the ten minutes a day I subscribe for your daily decluttering effort. So how hard can it be.

Some of my readers find the mini missions to be enjoyable. Rising to the challenge of finding something to match each days mission and then sharing that achievement with their fellow 365 Less Things readers is very inspiring for them. Some readers have enjoyed their ongoing involvement in Nicole’s post ~ Decluttering With Friends… . Others just rise to the challenge of finding that one thing in their homes each day.

Even now, that my home is how I wanted it to be, I still enjoy finding things to declutter, or using up things I have had for a while that I have no intention of replacing.

So if you are still procrastinating about starting you decluttering journey then I would suggest that you…

1. Have an open mind to the idea that it could actually be enjoyable.
2. Fight against the resistance and just make a start by finding one simple thing each day.
3. Share your achievements with your fellow declutterers here at 365 less things.
4. Seek their advice if necessary and soak up the encouragement I am sure they will give you.
5. Do that for about a month and I am sure you too will find the enjoyment that decluttering can bring.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

As I write this it is Easter Sunday so I thought I might Easter use that as todays theme for our mini missions. I will have to stretch the imagination to come up with descriptions of clutter that work in with the categories I have chosen. Each category is an Easter symbol of sorts. Good luck and happy decluttering

Monday – Egg ~ Declutter anything that has a shell or outer covering. This may sound difficult but even a coat of paint is an outer covering. You could also declutter something with a crack in it. Something white or any other egg colour. But no cheating and just eating Easter eggs for ten minutes.

Tuesday – Bunny ~ Declutter something furry, something with ears or perhaps something to do with luck. You could even stretch this one to anything in your home that seems to breed like rabbits (books, magazines, paperwork etc).

Wednesday – Cross ~ This could be something in the shape of a cross or simply something that makes you cross like obligation clutter.

Thursday – Spring ~ Although Easter is celebrated in Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere most of the Symbols are related to spring. So your items might have a spring in it or just springs out at you as something that needs decluttering.

Friday – Bonnet ~ A bonnet sits on top of your head, so why not declutter something that is sitting on top of something else. That should be easy. Or perhaps you actually have a hat the needs decluttering.

Saturday – Nest ~ Well this one could include anything in your home. After all your home is your nest right, so have at it.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

Wendy B wrote this very wise statement in a comment recently in regards to decluttering ~ 

“The thought of tackling the job is often more consuming than doing the job itself.”

How very true this is. I bet there are many of you out there who spent more time and metal energy putting off your decluttering than the time and effort that you actually needed to put into it once you got started. I was a little guilty of that myself to be honest. I knew, before returning home to live in Australia in 2007, that downsizing was our ultimate goal, but aside from the necessary ejection of stuff required to fit comfortably into our new home, and some extra bursts here and there, it was 2010 before I got on with the task in earnest.

And the problem with procrastinating is that you are wasting all that mental stress on getting nowhere. When it is as easy as putting one item aside each day, in the garage, or wherever you choose your transition area to be. Then donating the stuff to a charity when you have a pile big enough to make the effort to drop it off. And if you live in a place like the USA where the charity will come to you, it is even easier to get the job done, or at least make progress.

Of course you can complicate things by selling items via online auctions or similar, or by having a garage sale, but there is always an extra reward for your labours there, so it is often worth the extra effort. But that is entirely up to you.

We often procrastinate because we focus on the harder aspects of the task rather than just getting started on the easy stuff. How does the saying go? ~ “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” And there is always those things that are much easier to deal with than others. That is how I got started and in the end I got rid of far more stuff that I ever thought I would. Even things I had no intention of ever letting go. The more I decluttered the easier it was to part with things and the more things I realised a didn’t need to keep.

Actually just writing today’s post was a case of procrastination for me. That seems a little more than ironic. In the end I figured I would get a better night sleep if I took care of that and another small task before going to bed rather than leaving it until today. And I did sleep better for it I think.

The thing about procrastinating is that it makes you feel bad, then feeling bad makes you sorry for yourself so you self medicate by doing something else you would rather do. While actually by doing what you don’t want to do you can make yourself feel a lot better than avoiding it.

I know there are plenty of my readers out there, who are a long way along their declutter journey, who have been there and done that, so why not share with us your procrastination story, and how you overcame it. And those of you still torturing yourself with futile procrastination, hopefully reading our about experiences will help you start eating that elephant, one bite at a time.

Random Acts of Unusual Kindness

As a pedestrian treat the sidewalk as if it were the road. Keep to the side that the road traffic travels on in the country that you are in at the time. Don’t dart out from side allies and shops into oncoming foot traffic. And don’t walk three abreast. This ought to be common sense, but it doesn’t seem to be, and life would be a lot easier for everyone if we all adhered to these simple rules.

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

It seems like it has been a while since we had a set of good old mini missions based on something as simple as the alphabet. So this week we shall declutter some items that begin with six different letters. I’ll try to pick letters that are very common so that we can all find plenty of items to let go. The letter doesn’t have to be the initial of the items itself, it could be of the colour, the material it is made from, or any feature of the item. This will make it even easier to find an item to suit. So good luck and happy decluttering.

Monday – Declutter an items relating to the letter S.

Tuesday - Declutter an items relating to the letter T.

Wednesday - Declutter an items relating to the letter G

Thursday - Declutter an items relating to the letter R.

Friday - Declutter an items relating to the letter L.

Saturday - Declutter an items relating to the letter A.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

Straighten up a few items on a shelf while shopping. It will only save a few seconds in a store employees day but it is amazing what you can achieve in a few seconds. I do this by compulsion when I am in a store not so much to be deliberately helpful but because after working in retail for so long I just can’t help myself.

Mini Mission Monday is about finding ten minutes a day to declutter. To make it easy for you, each Monday I set seven declutter missions, one for each day of the week for you to follow. It takes the guess work out of decluttering and makes it easy and “fun” for you to achieve some quick decluttering.

Peggy sent me a list if mini missions a week or so ago so I am going to choose six of them to challenge you all with this week. Thanks Peggy.

Monday – Declutter packing materials that you won’t use, including old boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper…

Tuesday – Declutter bed sheets that you don’t never use (too small, hard to put on, fabric feels yucky, colour or pattern not to your liking)

Wednesday – Declutter some costume jewellery that’s lost its sparkle.

Thursday – Declutter old eyeglasses (they can usually be donated at your local optometrist). In future donate them when you pick up your new pair.

 Friday – Declutter something related to medical needs (expired, no longer used, didn’t really work for you)

Saturday – Declutter that “good” piece of clothing with the stain that prevents you from wearing it, unless you can get the stain out this week. Google for a stain removing solution that suits.

Sunday - Sunday is reserved for contemplating one particular item, of your choice that is proving difficult for you to declutter. Whether that be for sentimental reasons, practical reasons, because the task is laborious or simply unpleasant, or because the items removal requires the cooperation of another person. That last category may mean that the item belongs to someone else who has to give their approval, it could also mean there is a joint decision to be made or it could mean that the task of removing it requires assistance from someone else. There is no need to act on this contemplation immediately, it is more about formulating a plan to act upon or simply making a decision one way or another.

Good luck and happy decluttering

Random Acts of Miscellaneous Kindness

(Little thoughtful acts for no reason but to make a complete strangers life a little easier.)

When using public toilets, that have those pesky toilet tissue dispensers that snap off the paper inside the barrel, make sure you are careful and leave the end hanging out for the next person who comes along.