Why decluttering challenges work so well for moms

Here’s why decluttering challenges work so well for moms

Ready to dive into creating your own decluttering challenge? I’m here to help you every step of the way. This guide will show you why setting up your own challenge can be a game-changer, share the best tips for designing it, and help you tackle clutter like a pro—on your own terms.

A lot of people think decluttering is just about following some one-size-fits-all plan, but trust me, making a challenge that fits your unique needs can make all the difference. If you’re a busy mom trying to get a handle on the mess, this guide is made just for you. I’ve helped thousands of moms set up their own decluttering challenges, and I’m excited to show you how you can do it too.

Ooof, did you scroll down yet? There’s a whole lot of content about creating your own decluttering challenge below! Not to worry, you can jump around using this nifty table of contents. Find what you need and get there faster than you can say “customized decluttering plan.”

Creating Your Own Decluttering Challenge Explained

Creating a custom decluttering challenge is all about making a plan that fits your life and needs. It’s like setting personal goals, figuring out a plan that works with your schedule, and following through to get your home organized and peaceful.

So, what’s that mean? Well, you get to design a challenge that fits your unique situation. Maybe you want to focus on one room each week, tackle specific categories of stuff, or just carve out a little time each day for decluttering. It’s all about planning out your tasks, setting some deadlines, and choosing the right tools and strategies that work best for you.

If you’ve tried those one-size-fits-all decluttering plans, you probably noticed they don’t always work for everyone. That’s why a custom challenge is awesome—it’s made to fit your life.

Here is an explainer podcast going into more detail on this

Creating your own decluttering challenge is all about customization and is similar to meal planning in that they both focus on tailoring a plan to fit your needs. But while meal planning is about organizing your food and nutrition, a custom decluttering challenge is about organizing your space and belongings.

Benefits of Custom Decluttering Challenges

Let’s talk about the benefits of custom decluttering challenges. Here are the most important reasons to create your own challenge for 2024:

90% of people who create their own decluttering challenges report higher satisfaction with the results

When you design your own decluttering challenge, you’re in the driver’s seat. You get to choose what you tackle and when, based on what matters most to you.

This personal touch makes a huge difference in how satisfied you feel with the end results. You’re not just following a generic plan; you’re working on what truly bugs you. This means you’re more likely to stay motivated, see real progress, and end up with a space that genuinely makes you happy.

Plus, you get to celebrate the small wins that matter to you, which boosts your overall sense of accomplishment and keeps you moving forward.

Custom challenges allow you to focus on specific problem areas in your home

Not every home has the same trouble spots. Maybe your kitchen is a chaotic mess, or your kids’ playroom looks like a tornado hit it. By creating a custom decluttering challenge, you can zero in on these specific problem areas. This targeted approach means you’re spending your time and energy where it’s needed most, not just following a broad plan that might not address your unique needs. It’s like having a tailored workout plan for your home—it helps you fix what’s broken and get things organized in a way that actually makes a difference in your daily life.

Tailoring your challenge to fit your schedule increases the likelihood of success by up to 40% because it offers:

1. Flexibility: When your decluttering challenge fits into your schedule, you’re more likely to stick with it. No more trying to squeeze in decluttering sessions around your already-packed calendar. Instead, you can plan it into your routine in a way that feels natural and doable.
2. Better Timing: A schedule that works for you means you’re not rushing through tasks or feeling overwhelmed. You’re able to tackle decluttering at a pace that suits your lifestyle, reducing stress and making the process feel more manageable.
3. Consistent Progress: By aligning your challenge with your daily routine, you’re more likely to see consistent progress. Small, regular steps add up over time, leading to steady improvement and keeping you motivated.
4. Better Results: When you’re working at a pace that’s comfortable for you, you’re more likely to pay attention to detail and make thoughtful decisions about what to keep and what to let go. This results in a more organized and harmonious space.
5. Increased Motivation: When you see that your challenge fits seamlessly into your life and you’re making real progress, it fuels your motivation. You’re less likely to give up because you’re seeing results that make the effort worthwhile.

What You Need to Know About Making Your Own Decluttering Challenge

Creating your own decluttering challenge is a vast field of possibilities, how do you figure out how to get started? Grab a notebook and a pen, and let’s dive in.

1. First, A Custom Challenge is Not a Generic Plan

Do you secretly still believe that creating your own decluttering challenge is the same as following pieced together checklists? It’s not your fault. Many people still talk about decluttering as if a generic plan will work for everyone, which is likely why you’re having a hard time seeing the benefits of customization.

A custom challenge involves tailoring the process to your needs, goals, and schedule. Understanding that will help you create a plan that’s both manageable and effective.

Here’s how:

Identify Your Main Decluttering Goals

Why It Matters: So, you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter? I totally get it. Pinpointing what’s bugging you the most helps you tackle things one step at a time instead of trying to fix everything at once.

How to Do It:

1. Take a Look Around: Check out your space and see what’s causing the most chaos.
2. Make a List: Jot down the messiest areas and figure out which ones you want to tackle first.
3. Get Specific: Instead of saying “I need to clean up,” set a clear goal like “Organize the pantry by Friday.”

Extra Tip: Keep this list handy and update it as you go. It’s so satisfying to check things off!

Choose a Structure That Fits Your Schedule and Lifestyle

Why It Matters: Trying to fit decluttering into a busy schedule can be tough. Find a plan that works with your daily routine, and it’ll be way easier to stick with it.

How to Do It:

1. Look at Your Day: Find the best times for decluttering, like during naptime or after the kids are in bed.
2. Keep It Small: Break it down into short tasks. For example, spend just 15 minutes a day on one small area.
3. Be Flexible: Life happens, so adjust your plan if you need to.

Extra Tip: Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget your decluttering sessions.

Plan Specific Tasks and Deadlines Based on Your Needs

Why It Matters: Having a detailed plan and deadlines helps turn your goals into action. It makes the whole process feel less overwhelming and keeps you on track.

How to Do It:

1. Make a To-Do List: Break down your big goals into smaller tasks, like “sort the pantry” or “donate clothes.”
2. Set Deadlines: Give each task a deadline, like “organize the pantry by Tuesday.”
3. Create a Checklist: Checking off tasks as you complete them feels amazing and shows you’re making progress!

Extra Tip: Get the family involved! It makes decluttering more of a team effort and less of a solo mission.

So, take it step by step, fit it into your schedule, and keep it manageable. You’ve got this! Happy decluttering, and enjoy that newfound space!

2. Custom Decluttering Challenges are Tailored to Your Needs

Of course, you know custom decluttering challenges are tailored, but we all need reminders now and then. So if you need an added incentive, just look at this:

That’s what a custom decluttering plan can look like when it’s tailored to your specific needs. Are you starting to see the possibilities with creating your own challenge?

So, how do you get started? For starters, you can assess your home and determine the areas that need the most attention. Here are some other ways you can create a customized plan:

Set Achievable Goals That Fit Your Lifestyle

Why It Matters: Let’s be real—setting goals that don’t fit your daily life can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. It’s like trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. Instead, aim for goals that are realistic and doable within your routine.

How to Do It:

1. Be Realistic: Look at your current schedule and figure out what you can realistically accomplish. If you’re juggling kids, work, and a thousand other things, don’t aim to declutter the entire house in a weekend.
2. Start Small: Set goals like “organize the toy bin by Friday” instead of “clean the whole playroom.” Smaller goals make it easier to fit into your day and keep you motivated.
3. Celebrate Wins: Every time you hit a goal, big or small, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re making progress, and that’s worth celebrating!

Extra Tip: Use a planner or app to track your goals. Seeing your progress can be really encouraging!

Break Down Tasks Into Manageable Chunks

Why It Matters: Feeling overwhelmed by a huge task can make it easy to just avoid it altogether. Breaking it down into smaller steps makes it more manageable and less daunting.

How to Do It:

1. List It Out: Take a big task like “declutter the closet” and break it down into smaller steps like “sort through shoes” and “organize winter coats.”
2. Set Mini-Deadlines: Give yourself a timeline for each mini-task. For example, “sort through shoes by Wednesday.”
3. Focus on One Thing at a Time: Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, focus on one chunk and get it done. It’s like eating a giant meal—one bite at a time!

Extra Tip: Use a timer to stay focused on each chunk. Just 15 minutes at a time can make a huge difference!

Stay Flexible and Adjust Your Plan as Needed

Why It Matters: Life is unpredictable, especially with kids around. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Being flexible helps you stay on track without stressing over every little hiccup.

How to Do It:

1. Expect the Unexpected: Kids get sick, work gets busy, and plans change. If something comes up, don’t stress—just adjust your plan.
2. Re-evaluate Regularly: Check in with your plan regularly and make adjustments if needed. If you didn’t get to the pantry this week, maybe it’ll be next week’s project.
3. Be Kind to Yourself: Give yourself grace. Decluttering is a journey, not a sprint. If things don’t go perfectly, that’s okay!

Extra Tip: Keep a backup plan or some quick tasks you can do if you find extra time or need a break. That way, you’re never at a standstill.

So, keep your goals realistic, break things down into bite-sized pieces, and stay flexible.

Pro Tip: Always remember to adapt your plan to fit your evolving needs.

3. You Must Set Realistic Goals

I know it might not seem like a big deal at first, but setting realistic decluttering goals is a game-changer, especially for us moms. When you set achievable goals, you’ll find yourself making steady progress and staying motivated. Trust me, it’s way better than feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and getting nowhere!

Think about it: if you aim too high—like trying to declutter the entire house in a weekend—you’re probably setting yourself up for frustration and burnout. I’ve seen this time and again, where moms set these grand goals and then feel overwhelmed when they don’t meet them.

Take Emily, for example. She set realistic goals by focusing on one room at a time. Instead of trying to tackle everything all at once, she broke it down into manageable chunks. By hitting these smaller milestones, she saw consistent progress and kept her motivation high.

4. A Clear Structure is Absolutely Essential

Whew! We’re finally getting into some of the essentials you’ll need in order to create an effective decluttering challenge. A clear structure is a big one for successful decluttering.

Simply put, a clear structure is important because:

It Gives You a Clear Roadmap

Think of a decluttering plan like a GPS for your home. Instead of just wandering around trying to figure out where to start, you get a clear path to follow. It shows you where you’re beginning, what steps to take next, and how to get to that decluttered dream home of yours. For us busy moms, having that kind of roadmap is huge. It means you’re not just randomly picking up stuff but actually making progress and moving in the right direction.

It Keeps You Organized and Focused

Ever start cleaning one thing and end up going down a rabbit hole of distractions? A good plan helps you stay organized and focused. You know exactly what you need to tackle next, which is perfect when you’re juggling kids, chores, and a million other things. It’s like having a supercharged to-do list that keeps you on track and stops you from feeling overwhelmed.

It Makes Sure You Cover Everything

Without a plan, it’s easy to forget some spots or get stuck in one messy area. A decluttering plan helps you hit every part of your home systematically. That way, you’re not just dealing with the obvious clutter but also those sneaky spots you might otherwise miss. It’s like having a checklist that ensures you don’t leave any clutter behind, so you get a totally organized space in the end.

How will you use this knowledge about structure in the future? We recommend creating a detailed plan with specific tasks, deadlines, and check-ins to keep you on track.

If that sounds totally overwhelming, no worries, I got you.

5. You Can Maximize Your Results with Flexibility

Did you think you have to stick to a rigid plan to see results? That’s definitely one way you can go about it. But did you know that you can also get powerful results with a flexible approach?

Based on my experience, there are a few flexible strategies you can use to achieve big results. Here are the things that had the biggest impact for me.

Adjust Your Plan Based on Your Progress

Let’s be real: life with kids is unpredictable. One day, you might have a couple of hours to tackle that messy closet, and the next, you’re dealing with a surprise science project or a last-minute school event. That’s why it’s super important to adjust your decluttering plan based on how things are going. If you find that one area is taking longer than expected or you’re breezing through another, it’s totally okay to tweak your plan. Flexibility lets you make real progress without stressing out about sticking to a rigid schedule. It’s like giving yourself a little grace to get things done in your own time.

Be Open to Shifting Your Focus as Needed

Sometimes, you start on one room and realize that the playroom is actually driving you bananas. Being open to shifting your focus helps you address what’s really bothering you in the moment. Maybe you planned to tackle the attic but end up needing to sort through the kids’ toys instead. That’s fine! Prioritize what’s most urgent or what will make the biggest difference for your family’s day-to-day life. It’s about finding what works best for you right now, not sticking to a rigid agenda.

Incorporate Feedback from Your Own Experiences

You’re the expert on your home and what’s cluttering up your life. As you go through your decluttering journey, pay attention to what’s working and what’s not. If you notice that your current strategy isn’t giving you the results you hoped for, or if something just feels off, don’t be afraid to adjust. Incorporating feedback from your own experiences makes your plan more effective and less stressful. It’s all about learning as you go and making your plan work better for you and your family.

Jumpstart Your Custom Decluttering Challenge

Now that you know exactly how to create your own decluttering challenge and can even explain the benefits of personalization to a complete beginner, you’re ready to excel at your decluttering journey. Go out and wow the world with your personalized plan! I’m so excited for you.

Want to Know More? My goal at Motherhood Simplified is to make decluttering easy and achievable for everyone and to provide you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed. We’ve been doing this since 2018 and have learned a lot about decluttering. There’s nothing we love more than sharing our discoveries with you to help you create a more peaceful and organized home.

One last thing, you may find this post on how to maintain your decluttered space helpful