The official 2010 Get Rid of It Challenge

Ok – it’s official. Getting rid of crap seems to be something everyone is interested in doing. (See Tuesday’s Crap Attack post for more info). And if we are all interested in doing it but we aren’t actually engaged in doing it, perhaps we could use a little extra motivational push!

And here’s the thing. Not one of us can escape mediocrity if we are carting around loads of stuff. Even if it is stuffed into the basement, the fact that this stuff exists occupies bandwidth like a program running in the background of your computer.

So, I’ve decided to make the a Tribe Project/Challenge and I invite everyone to join in.

Here’s how it will work:

-I will regularly check in and update this post from now until Monday and share what I have gathered up and what has actually left my house.

-Other members of the tribe can do the same in the comments section.

-We also all need encouragement and cheering on when tackling projects like this so let’s root for each other as we make progress.

This is going to be fun!

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This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 12:47 pm and is filed under Uncommon Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Anonymous
I am SO in! Already started yesterday. The clutter doesn’t only clutter my home but clutters my mind and takes focus away from what’s important! I am SO for real this time. I am doing a MAJOR CRAP purge. Happy to share my joureny and support others too! Time for me to get real about my space if I’m going to get real in my life and especially in my business!

Anonymous
Count me in – just what I needed.

Anonymous
Great Kathy!

Anonymous
Awesome Shannon! I already have a pile sitting by the fron toddor. Need to sort it by charity now. w00t!

Anonymous
I’m all over it. Paper, binders, clothes. It’s time to make some room for good things to happen. Thanks for taking the lead on this.

Anonymous
Yep. New stuff can’t show up if there isn’t any room for it, right?!

Anonymous
I am in too this is a great spring cleaning motivator thanks Sarah.
http://www.bestbizwebsitesolutions.com jhaubein
I’m in! I have lots of closets to tackle and I did recently clean and decorate my office with new paint & curtains so I’ve got some momentum. Thanks for pulling this together
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
I’m in… and my office is where I’m most committed to getting of stuff! Paper and old files and old emails in my inbox that are (literally!) taking up bandwith!!!
Too bad there’s not a way we can upload Before, During & After photos so we can really SEE the progress!
shannonshort
I am SO in! Already started yesterday. The clutter doesn't only clutter my home but clutters my mind and takes focus away from what's important! I am SO for real this time. I am doing a MAJOR CRAP purge. Happy to share my joureny and support others too! Time for me to get real about my space if I'm going to get real in my life and especially in my business!
kathyjerzak
Count me in – just what I needed.
islandgusto
I'm all over it. Paper, binders, clothes. It's time to make some room for good things to happen. Thanks for taking the lead on this.
sarahrobinson
Awesome Shannon! I already have a pile sitting by the fron toddor. Need to sort it by charity now. w00t!
sarahrobinson
Great Kathy!
sarahrobinson
Yep. New stuff can't show up if there isn't any room for it, right?!
joecheray
I am in too this is a great spring cleaning motivator thanks Sarah.
http://www.bestbizwebsitesolutions.com jhaubein
I'm in! I have lots of closets to tackle and I did recently clean and decorate my office with new paint & curtains so I've got some momentum. Thanks for pulling this together
http://www.mamasays.us Lynn Epstein
Count me in!
Anonymous
Yay! This will make my decluttering projects already in progress much more fun … and hold me accountable. Thanks, Sarah!
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
I'm in… and my office is where I'm most committed to getting of stuff! Paper and old files and old emails in my inbox that are (literally!) taking up bandwith!!!
Too bad there's not a way we can upload Before, During & After photos so we can really SEE the progress!
http://www.mamasays.us Lynn Epstein
Count me in!
lipdesign
Yay! This will make my decluttering projects already in progress much more fun … and hold me accountable. Thanks, Sarah!
Anonymous
Friday morning update: I have found a home for 2 boxes of children’s video tapes that have been sitting my office. My church’s children’s ministry will take what they can use and give away the rest – yay!
Old comforters and sheets are going to my local furniture bank which provides basic household furniture and necessities to those who are in need.
PROGRESS!
http://truthforlifecoaching.wordpress.com Bridget Haymond
Perfect timing on this for me since we have our house for sale and I don’t want to move any unnecessary stuff. I’m thinking that a good exercise is to ALWAYS live as if you’re going to move in the next month and constantly get rid of what you don’t want to pack up and take with you. I think sometimes we just get overwhelmed and don’t want to think about it, but as you mentioned it’s always in background. For me it’s “pinging my brain” and is totally an energy drainer.
I’m in with you on this one for sure!

http://www.randomshelly.com/blog/ Shelly
That is perfect timing and you will be amazed at how much you can do without! (I a year ago…)

http://simplytrece.wordpress.com Trece
I am totally in. Have VHS Veggie Tales going out to Freecycle, my wedding dress (finally) to GoodWill, clothes to GoodWill, book to the library for their next sale.
http://themarketingmark.blogspot.com MarkSherrick
With the baby coming in August, we have to really think about what we have, because we definitely have way too much stuff. A lot of it is all kinds of random crap that we just have for whatever reason – its not that much clothing or too much that’s worth giving to other people, but i will definitely let it be known if I perchance do have anything cool to give away to the Tribe or local folks here.

http://www.randomshelly.com/blog/ Shelly
or search out a shelter!

http://themarketingmark.blogspot.com MarkSherrick
There are plenty of those here, but you never know what the Tribe may want.

sarahrobinson
Friday morning update: I have found a home for 2 boxes of children's video tapes that have been sitting my office. My church's children's ministry will take what they can use and give away the rest – yay!
Old comforters and sheets are going to my local furniture bank which provides basic household furniture and necessities to those who are in need.
PROGRESS!
http://truthforlifecoaching.wordpress.com Bridget Haymond
Perfect timing on this for me since we have our house for sale and I don't want to move any unnecessary stuff. I'm thinking that a good exercise is to ALWAYS live as if you're going to move in the next month and constantly get rid of what you don't want to pack up and take with you. I think sometimes we just get overwhelmed and don’t want to think about it, but as you mentioned it’s always in background. For me it’s “pinging my brain” and is totally an energy drainer.
I'm in with you on this one for sure!
http://simplytrece.wordpress.com Trece
I am totally in. Have VHS Veggie Tales going out to Freecycle, my wedding dress (finally) to GoodWill, clothes to GoodWill, book to the library for their next sale.
http://themarketingmark.blogspot.com MarkSherrick
With the baby coming in August, we have to really think about what we have, because we definitely have way too much stuff. A lot of it is all kinds of random crap that we just have for whatever reason – its not that much clothing or too much that's worth giving to other people, but i will definitely let it be known if I perchance do have anything cool to give away to the Tribe or local folks here.
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
Update for me!
After being out of commission traveling and being sick the past two weeks – I have successfully gone through two weeks of emails I’d not replied to and they are gone! YAY!!!! Tomorrow I tackle some more tangible crap… aka papers in my office!
Looking forward to celebrating your progress with you all this weekend!

http://www.randomshelly.com/blog/ Shelly
I hope you’re feeling lots better!!
Yeah on the email!! I cleared the papers on my desk this last week! now on to the big stuff!!

http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
I am feeling better – thanks! Just cleared through 20 phone calls I needed to make… so clearing things away but not “tangible” ones yet. But feeling the energy freed up. NOW I’m going to go tackle my closet!
Congrats on the papers! That’s one that I WILL tackle and make headway in this weekend – FOR SURE!

http://www.care2.com/causes/trailblazers/ Sue Anne Reed
I’m definitely in. I have been slowly working on getting rid of some stuff to get my apartment ready to move, but it’s always good to have motivation.
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
Update for me!
After being out of commission traveling and being sick the past two weeks – I have successfully gone through two weeks of emails I'd not replied to and they are gone! YAY!!!! Tomorrow I tackle some more tangible crap… aka papers in my office!
Looking forward to celebrating your progress with you all this weekend!
sue_anne
I'm definitely in. I have been slowly working on getting rid of some stuff to get my apartment ready to move, but it's always good to have motivation.
Anonymous
Saturday Update: I own pants that are too short that I keep “making do” with. Today, I am getting rid of them and adding them to the pile of clothes going to the Domestic Abuse Shelter. I’ve alos decided that I do not need SIX pairs of black heels. I will choose two to keep and the rest are going!

http://www.randomshelly.com/blog/ Shelly
you know… I was with you up until the shoe part! You don’t need 6 pairs of heels if they are all the same… but if they are different… you wear them with different things…
But – may be easier for you… #iamashoewhore but I agree on the pants and I think my closet may be my first run! (minus shoes of course)

http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
LOL you two with your shoes! Here’s where we’re on the opposite end of the spectrum. I can imagine having six pairs of tennis/running/sports shoes but six pairs of heels??? I’m not even sure I own a pair any more… which is okay by me!
Anyway… I’m with you both in tackling the closet. I keep saving old clothes for “dirty projects” like painting… but I don’t think I need 5-6 different “dirty project” outfits. And I know I have other things I don’t wear or like any more!

http://www.randomshelly.com/blog/ Shelly
I’m going to have to hurry (I won’t be home most of this weekend) – but I’m in… for sure! I think I’ll start with all the stuff I have ‘stuffed’ in the extra rooms!!
NEXT weekend though… I will have my son go through his toys and pick the ones he doesn’t play with anymore (we already talked about it and he is excited to give them to kids that don’t have any… except his DS, of course!!)
Tami Morello
Just saw this post as I was with my parents the last 2 days. I’m definitely in- already told my husband, and he’s definitely very supportive of my plan!
Sarah, I love your reference to stuff taking up our “bandwidth.” I spent part of yesterday helping my mother weed out her closet to help simplify her daily choices of what to wear. And now I need to to clear up my own energy channels. Looking forward to updating my progress and checking in for support from the tribe!
Anonymous
Sat update: 6 pairs of shoes to the shelter; 4 in the trash. Ah progress….:-)

Anonymous
Throwing stuff away is def harder than giving it to someone else to use and enjoy. Big step!

http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
Celebrating a cleared off kitchen table, receipts input, bank statements reconciled and a whole bunch of paper in the recycle bin. Still working my way to hit my closets… but it’s the paper clutter that I’m most excited to be rid of. YAY!
sarahrobinson
Saturday Update: I own pants that are too short that I keep “making do” with. Today, I am getting rid of them and adding them to the pile of clothes going to the Domestic Abuse Shelter. I've alos decided that I do not need SIX pairs of black heels. I will choose two to keep and the rest are going!
randomshelly
I'm going to have to hurry (I won't be home most of this weekend) – but I'm in… for sure! I think I'll start with all the stuff I have 'stuffed' in the extra rooms!!
NEXT weekend though… I will have my son go through his toys and pick the ones he doesn't play with anymore (we already talked about it and he is excited to give them to kids that don't have any… except his DS, of course!!)
randomshelly
you know… I was with you up until the shoe part! You don't need 6 pairs of heels if they are all the same… but if they are different… you wear them with different things…
But – may be easier for you… #iamashoewhore but I agree on the pants and I think my closet may be my first run! (minus shoes of course)
randomshelly
I hope you're feeling lots better!!
Yeah on the email!! I cleared the papers on my desk this last week! now on to the big stuff!!
randomshelly
or search out a shelter!
randomshelly
That is perfect timing and you will be amazed at how much you can do without! (I a year ago…)
Tami Morello
Just saw this post as I was with my parents the last 2 days. I'm definitely in- already told my husband, and he's definitely very supportive of my plan!
Sarah, I love your reference to stuff taking up our “bandwidth.” I spent part of yesterday helping my mother weed out her closet to help simplify her daily choices of what to wear. And now I need to to clear up my own energy channels. Looking forward to updating my progress and checking in for support from the tribe!
http://themarketingmark.blogspot.com MarkSherrick
There are plenty of those here, but you never know what the Tribe may want.
Tami Morello
Update: A large laundry basket full of clothing taken out of my bedroom. Still so much to do, need to avoid overwhelm so I don’t burn out. But any progress feels good.
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
LOL you two with your shoes! Here's where we're on the opposite end of the spectrum. I can imagine having six pairs of tennis/running/sports shoes but six pairs of heels??? I'm not even sure I own a pair any more… which is okay by me!
Anyway… I'm with you both in tackling the closet. I keep saving old clothes for “dirty projects” like painting… but I don't think I need 5-6 different “dirty project” outfits. And I know I have other things I don't wear or like any more!
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
I am feeling better – thanks! Just cleared through 20 phone calls I needed to make… so clearing things away but not “tangible” ones yet. But feeling the energy freed up. NOW I'm going to go tackle my closet!
Congrats on the papers! That's one that I WILL tackle and make headway in this weekend – FOR SURE!
sarahrobinson
Sat update: 6 pairs of shoes to the shelter; 4 in the trash. Ah progress….:-)
http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain
Celebrating a cleared off kitchen table, receipts input, bank statements reconciled and a whole bunch of paper in the recycle bin. Still working my way to hit my closets… but it's the paper clutter that I'm most excited to be rid of. YAY!
Tami Morello
Update: A large laundry basket full of clothing taken out of my bedroom. Still so much to do, need to avoid overwhelm so I don't burn out. But any progress feels good.
shannonshort
Throwing stuff away is def harder than giving it to someone else to use and enjoy. Big step!
Dennis Ventilacion
Hello All,
I am your Account Manager within Laserfiche Corporation. You can consider me as an additional guide, or usher to the Laserfiche solutions suites. We work with a lot of organizations across the country. Some benefits they’ve witnessed is spend less time searching for information, recovered valuable space in the office, automated their manual processes, and they now have more traction control over their company information and records. Not to mention lowering their overhead costs. I would like to discuss how Laserfiche will provide the same for you.
Dennis Ventilacion | Account Manager – Midwest
Phone: 1.562.988.1688 x 132
Mobile: 1.562.988.1688
E-mail: dennis.ventilacion@laserfiche.com
Website: http://www.laserfiche.com
Laserfiche
Run Smarter™
Dennis Ventilacion
Hello All,
I am your Account Manager within Laserfiche Corporation. You can consider me as an additional guide, or usher to the Laserfiche solutions suites. We work with a lot of organizations across the country. Some benefits they've witnessed is spend less time searching for information, recovered valuable space in the office, automated their manual processes, and they now have more traction control over their company information and records. Not to mention lowering their overhead costs. I would like to discuss how Laserfiche will provide the same for you.
Dennis Ventilacion | Account Manager – Midwest
Phone: 1.562.988.1688 x 132
Mobile: 1.562.988.1688
E-mail: dennis.ventilacion@laserfiche.com
Website: http://www.laserfiche.com
Laserfiche
Run Smarter™
http://twitter.com/davidmbaptiste David Baptiste
Thanks for the post. I’ve switched over to bartering recently for most of anything I can get without having to shell out cash. There are a couple sites out there to use, to connect with people who are looking to barter trade/swap items or even services (carpentry work for auto work, etc). One of the sites I use is Baarter – http://baarter.comThey also have a ‘ Free Stuff ‘ section.
http://twitter.com/davidmbaptiste David Baptiste
Thanks for the post. I've switched over to bartering recently for most of anything I can get without having to shell out cash. There are a couple sites out there to use, to connect with people who are looking to barter trade/swap items or even services (carpentry work for auto work, etc). One of the sites I use is Baarter – http://baarter.com
They also have a ' Free Stuff ' section.

Escaping Mediocrity