2.12.2013

40 Bags in 40 Days {Lent 2013}

Tomorrow is the first day of Lent, which mean starting tomorrow, I will be doing a 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge, like I did last year.

 The idea of 40 Bags in 40 Days is that during Lent (40 days) rid your house of 40 bags of "stuff".
This "stuff" can be things you don't use... junk, clothes you don't need/wear, clutter, old toys, garbage, etc.

To me, Lent is a time of prayer, self-reflection, sacrifice, self-control and renewal.
To me, a good home de-cluttering can go hand in hand with the Lenten season, just like our houses/blogs may look put together on the outside, on the inside we are a mess and need an intervention & de-cluttering ourselves.

Last year, when I did 40 Bags in 40 Days for Lent,
I gave AWAY 24 bags of stuff to Goodwill.
I threw AWAY 28 bags of stuff.

That is 52 bags of stuff we didn't use, need or wasted.

EWWWW.

I am SOOOO glad I finished everything on my list last year (even though it took longer than 40 days)
It took me over 5 months, but that is because I had morning sickness 24/7 with Luke my entire pregnancy and I was tired from being pregnant, having 2 other kids & teaching.
 But, I finished my 40 Bags 5 days before he was born :)
And, that's what counts....I finished!
To see my other 40 bags in 40 days updates from last year, click HERE. 

I learned a lot last year doing this project.
 I realized how much CRAP we have.
I realized how MUCH we have.
It has made me think about what I buy & what I bring into our house.
I ask myself, "Do we need this?" or
"Is there room for this?"
It has drastically changed my thinking, and for that I am thankful.
But, I am still a work in progress and I still buy too much stuff.

And, YES....I am doing this project again this year. Because there is STILL more stuff I know I can clean out & get rid of.

Here is my 2013 List:

32 Areas of my house waiting to be cleaned out....again.

 Just like last year, I will post updates and post Before & After pics.
The good news is that the areas are not as nasty as they were when I started last year, but the bad news is that I haven't kept them as clean as they were when I finished them last year.

I highly recommend doing a major clean out like this.
It was a great, yet painful experience.
And, it kinda grosses me out that less than a year later, I still have enough CRAP to fill up another 40+ Bags of stuff.

Let me know if you are doing this also, we can help keep each other accountable.
I will also try and post some tips & tricks that I have learned & that I am learning while doing this. 
I am REALLY going to try and finish it by Easter, but I am giving myself grace if it takes me longer.

I've got my list,  I've got my trash bags.
Lent 2013.........Let's do this!!!!
 And remember,
LESS IS MORE.
"LESS of me & my stuff and MORE of JESUS"

13 comments:

  1. Tomorrow is official go time for me! I started a few but now its on lol. Cant wait to see your updates, here is my first update. http://talesofaburntnoodle.blogspot.com/2013/02/40-bags-update.html

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  2. I love doing this and have done it the last 2 years. This year I feel too overwhelmed to do it with a new baby. I'm thinking I might start when she's a bit older. I can't wait to see how it goes for you!

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  3. I remember when you did this last year... I'm going to join you... Making my list today and will start this week-end...

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  4. I'm joining you in this challenge. I love the idea of tying this to Lent. Giving up things that may be painful or difficult, letting go of stuff that might be holding me back or down. And in the process I may help someone else by donating or giving things away. I love your last line "Less of me and my stuff and MORE of JESUS". Thanks for sharing and I hope the best for you in this process.

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  5. I need to jump on this bandwagon! I really want to be purposeful this Lent season. Go Mel!!!

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  6. Thank you for sharing! We're in! I linked you in my blog, hope you don't mind.

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  7. I love this idea and will be joining you! Way too much stuff-less is more right?

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  8. Great idea! I think I'll try. We're moving in the next month, so perfect timing!!

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  9. I am going to start. I am 34 weeks pregnant, so we will see how far I get. I have a TON to do especially in my Garage. I plan to start tonight with my pantry...it's in bad need of help! So glad that you posted a link to the printable.

    I hope to blog about it as I go: http://danaraeb.blogspot.com/

    Thank you so much for sharing this every year!!

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  10. okay...i needed to find your blog and have no doubt it was no accident that i did! you just make me feel like I can do this mom of 3 kids thing and do it well. you're real about your struggles and share such practical little ways to overcome them! I love this idea and totally am going to jump on board! better late than never huh?! thanks for sharing ~ looking forward to decluttering 1 bag at a time!! =)

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  11. Less IS more. Love that you do this, and love that printable!

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  12. Girrrrllll.. I'm in!! I just did my first bag...this is a great sacrifice for Lent

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