3.21.2014

40 Bags in 40 Days 2014 {Update #1}

It has been 2 weeks since 40 bags in 40 days started, so I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing as well as give an update on all the junk we have gotten rid of!
 
So far, I have gotten rid of 15 bags!
Here is a run down:
The first room we tackled was Claire's room.
Like I have mentioned before, she is a hoarder when it comes to clothes & stuffed animals.
She has a really hard time getting rid of clothes, even if they don't fit.
We had a come to Jesus meeting with her and it was a hard afternoon, but a good afternoon.
We got rid of SO many of her old clothes.
And, she gave away over 15 stuffed animals. That is huge for her. 
I am so proud of her....and she is proud of herself.
The week after we cleaned out her room, she said that she could finally relax in her room and she wanted to invite all her friends over so they could see how clean her room was. 
She was proud that she donated bags of clothes for kids who didn't have clothes.
  Here is a before of her closet:
 And, after:
 
I cleaned out the bookshelves in all 3 kids rooms & this is the bin of books I was able to get rid of and donate:
 We also cleaned out Kevin's closet....I mean a MAJOR cleanout. Kevin hates shopping, so we only get him clothes every 5 years. Let's just say, it had been 5 years and he needed a major overhaul....I honestly got rid of 85% of his clothes. 

 We also cleaned out the kids toys. 
We did it at night & then hid them in the shed since used white bags instead of black bags.
Here are 2 bags of toys & 2 bags of Kevin's clothes bagged up:
 Last week we had our first donation curb side pick up for Hope Services.
Here was our donation:
This week I tackled my clothes.
I have too many clothes & shoes. 
Here is the Before side 1 of my closet:
So embarrassing. Gah!

Side 2 Before:
SOOOO unorganized. I didn't even have room for all my clothes.

And, the After (Side 1)
 After (Side 2):
 Here are all the clothes I got rid of :
These are just the Skirts, Pants & Jeans:
 An entire bag of Shoes to giveaway:
All my clothes bagged up:
Yep. That is 4 bags of just my clothes. And, I still have a whole closet full.
I am honestly a little disgusted at myself. I didn't realize how many clothes I actually owned. 
GROSS.
Next year, I should give up shopping for Lent.

It felt so good to donate & get rid of all those clothes. 
I am dropping them off at Goodwill tomorrow.

So, there is my first 40 Bags in 40 Days update for 2014.
I am 18 days in and have gotten rid of 15 bags. 
That feels good!

Are you doing 40 Bags in 40 Days?

If you haven't started yet, it's not too late! 
Just make your list and start cleaning out your house!
It's officially Spring, which always gives me the extra motivation to do Spring Cleaning.

It has felt so good to clean out these areas and get them organized.
More importantly, it has felt so good to get this STUFF out of my house!
Stuff can really wear you down. 
Your home should be a place of peace & relaxation.
I can get overwhelmed by all the stuff in our house and I know how much better & relaxed I feel when those spaces in my house are clean & organized.

If you don't know where to start & are overwhelmed with all your stuff, I encourage you to start with a small space. Like your purse. Clean out & organize your purse and wallet. 
Maybe start with your car. Clean it out and get that washed & organized.
(I added those areas to my list last week)
You will be amazed at how much better you feel if you even have small areas cleaned out.
My encouragement is this: 
Just Start.
If you are, be sure and check out my tips on this post {HERE}
It's okay if you don't finish by Easter.
 This is my 3rd year doing 40 Bags in 40 Days and I have never finished by Easter!

***********
And, just a reminder, the Rodan + Fields March Madness Offer ends SUNDAY at midnight!
Read more details {HERE}

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 
I can't wait to watch more March Madness. 
My bracket is already busted, but we still love watching the games!

14 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, but I have a question. Do you have a size requirement for the bags? Like are you trying to fill up a full kitchen trash bag in each area or are you just cleaning out the area?

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  2. I love that you do this. We too have been cleaning a lot since I am beginning to go into nesting mode - which it's probably to early to do that but I want this house organized while it's still relatively easy to bend down :) We made about a 6 bag donation last week to Breast Cancer research and I am so happy to have it out of my house!

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  3. That is awesome! I never really pay attention to the number of bags. I think maybe I've done 10ish. But for the first year ever I am on target to finish in time. Only two weeks in though. :). We went to town in my 5 year old sons room today.

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  4. I love this idea! I actually did give up shopping for myself for Lent. Sure has made a difference! So many times I have been tempted but my 10 year old daughter has told all of my friends I can't buy anything for myself so she is keeping me accountalbe also! :)

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  5. Doing more this weekend! Keeping me energized :)

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  6. Wow! Great job. I love 40 bags in 40 days. I'm usually pretty good about purging my entire house frequently, but that all changed once I started my blog. I'm determined to pare down to the essentials this spring. I've already been working hard with 3 trips to Goodwill and lots of eBaying and Craigs Listing. The crazy part is that getting rid of excess makes me want to shop less!

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  7. Wow, that's awesome:):):) I totally need to do this!
    Julie
    www.thechirpingmoms.com

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  8. Thanks for the motivation to do this! (I particularly loved the part where you confessed that you don't have it all done by the end of Lent - that was the part that was putting me off.) I've now just decided I'll get it done when I get it done. I've cleaned out 5 areas so far and have donated 8 bags and thrown away many more. So happy to be doing this and loving the results!

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  9. I honestly lost track of how many bags I have done so far. It felt so good to just clean it out and get it out of the house that I forgot to write it down! I don't care though because I can actually open closets without something falling onto me!

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  10. I gave up spending money for Lent last year. I would encourage you to do it too (not because I'm judging you, but because it was good for me). After that exercise I really don't have to clean out my house. I don't buy unnecessary stuff anymore.

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  11. I honestly thought 40 bags would be impossible, but I did 6 this weekend without even really trying! I'm planning on doing so much more. If it makes you feel better, I have clothes in multiple closets and lots of things I haven't worn in YEARS! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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  12. LOVE this! We are in the early stages of moving/packing/etc. and I'm already a little excited about purging some of the stuff we've accumulated in the past 7 years!

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  13. This sounds like a really good and fun idea to make cleaning easier. Focusing on daily tasks is better than doing everything in a day. Did you encounter any molds? If ever you do, getting professional cleaners is advised.

    John Spessard

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