This monthly organizing challenge will be a little different this year. Because it's Get Organized Month, it's a great time to jump-start your decluttering. But, if you don't know what you want to declutter, how will you start your purging process? You can't. So, instead, let's determine what you love and want to keep before we get down to decluttering. I am challenging you to a "31 Days of Loves" challenge. The premise is simple. Find 31 items in your home that you truly love and don't want to get rid of.
How to determine what you love in your home?
I'm glad you asked. Answer these questions while looking around the rooms in your home. Write down the items on the below free printable.
8 Questions to ask yourself to decide on what you love.
- Does the item bring you happy memories when you look at it? If it brings you no emotion, it is probably not loved.
- Does it represent a time in your life you want to remember? If it does not, it can be purged.
- Are you proud of the item because it shows you accomplished something in the past?
- When looking at the product, does it look beautiful to you?
- Does it represent what you want in your future?
- Do you look at this item every day and feel a sense of happiness?
- Is the item something that will remind you of your goals and where you want to be in the future?
- If you had to move to a smaller home, would this item go with you?
Some of these items may be needed and not necessarily loved, and that's OK. If it makes your life better having it around and using it for either emotional enrichment or functional purposes, it's a keeper.
Hopefully, after you ask yourself these questions, you will be able to find 31 items you love and it will come clear what items you can do without.
Here is a free printable you can use or you can make your own.
I hope this helps you decide what you don't want to part with and as a result, will help you determine what you are willing to get rid of. Please come back and let me know how the challenge is going for you by leaving a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Visit our other home organizing challenges below for more motivation!
SAVING TIME IN YOUR DAY CHALLENGE
ORGANIZING MEMORABILIA CHALLENGE
29 DAYS SMALL ITEMS BIG CLUTTER CHALLENGE
Below are some other bloggers challenges that may interest you too.
31 Day Love Your Home Challenge
Make a list of 20 things you love about your home (31 days to Love the Home You Have)
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Lucy Kelly says
Great set of questions to ask, Sabrina! I love it 😉
Janet Schiesl says
I love a good challenge. Letting go have so many benefits that people don't see or understand until they have done the delcuttering. They fill up that newly emptied space with possibilities.
Julie Bestry says
Great post, Sabrina. By focusing on what you love, you eliminate all the fears that people have regarding parting with items. Picking your favorites, by the power of eliminating, makes it clear what's less worthy, too. Sneaky and brilliant!
Linda Samuels says
This is such a great perspective on decluttering. Instead of hunting for what you want to release, focus on what you love. And from there, the items that can go will become more obvious. Plus, it puts a positive spin on the decluttering process. I love all the questions you posed, but that last one really resonated. - "If you had to move to a smaller home, would you take this with you?" That cuts to the core. There's a similar one, "If I saw this in a store now, would I buy it?" We often collect things and fast forward a month, year, or decade, and those things no longer have purpose or meaning for us. The quality of our decisions is directly related to the quality of the questions we ask. And you've provided a lot of great questions!
LISA GESSERT says
This is a great blog Sabrina , one that will never be outdated! Great printable!
Ronni Eisenberg says
I often look around my home, there are so many items that have been passed down that, just as you said, spark a feeling or memory. There are other items that I’d love to replace, as soon as I can find a replacement, because they’ve worn out their welcome.
I really liked what you said, “Some of these items may be needed and not necessarily loved, and that's OK. If it makes your life better having it around and using it for either emotional enrichment or functional purposes, it's a keeper.” This gives us permission to hold on or let go. That’s perfect for a challenge.
Diane N Quintana says
This is great way to determine what should stay or go in your home. I love this twist on decluttering. If you don't know what you love, how can you figure out what should stay in your home?
Janet Barclay says
This is definitely another way of looking at things. There are many items I've had for decades and I don't think about whether or not I love them, or if I would miss them if I gave them away. There's no urgency (I don't think) but it would be good to start thinking about these things in preparation for my next downsizing.
Hilda Rodgers says
I do this with kids so they don't feel like they're being pressured to get rid of a lot of stuff... they have a hard time prioritizing things and this helps. I'll have to start doing this with adults too 🙂 Thanks for the great idea Sabrina!
Sabrina says
So, do I. That's where I got the idea from. Kids love to show what they love. =) After all, aren't we all kids at heart? Thanks for commenting.
Liana George says
Love your "twist" on this idea! So many people focus on what they're "losing" and your approach helps them focus on what truly matters. Fantastic!
Sabrina says
I totally agree. My goal is to motivate them to take action. Hopefully, this will do the trick. Thanks for commenting.
Rose Mary Griffith says
As an avid reader, keeping books is simply part of who I am. However, after moving at least a zillion times, I have approached my books with the "deserted island" point of view. If I knew I would be living somewhere tomorrow where I could only take books I could read and re-read, what would I choose to take? That helps me keep hold of the books I love and let go of the rest. Like the big box I donated to the library today.
Other stuff? Who cares.
Sabrina says
That's awesome that you know what you love, Rose Mary.
Sarah Soboleski says
Love your reverse psychology method for tackling the Decluttering process! I think this will resonate with a lot of people. Thanks for sharing!
Sabrina says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sarah! Happy new year.
Andi Willis says
What a great way to reverse the purging process! I frequently push clients a little harder when they are wavering on an object even though it brings negative thoughts and feelings. This is another great way to look at things. Thanks!
Sabrina says
Thanks Andi for stopping by and commenting.
Ellen Delap says
Love this positive perspective! With knowing what you love, it's easier to let go later. Bringing out the positive always helps us work more successfully.
Sabrina says
Definitely! Thanks for commenting, Ellan.
Natalie Gallagher says
Way to reframe the decluttering/purging process! I need to get cracking on this exercise myself...
Sabrina says
Thanks, Natalie, I get sick of saying "get rid of stuff" all the time. This was my solution to change things up a bit. =)
Seana Turner says
Nice idea to focus on the positive/love side instead of the negative/don't like side!
Sabrina says
Thanks Seana! It was fun to make.
Autumn Leopold says
I love this positive and uplifting post! I use a printable like this with my senior clients and add another category: Who? Who do they want it to go to in their family. Great post Sabrina!
Sabrina says
That's a great idea, Autumn. Thanks for sharing. I love this challenge. It really does make it fun and not sad or a chore. =)