March into Spring with Decluttering

Whether or not you practice Lent, March is a great time to declutter and get your home ready for Spring. I’ve done many Declutter challenges over on my YouTube channel so you can find some inspiration there.

As we approach Lent 2025, beginning on March 5th, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect and rejuvenate not only our spirits but also our living spaces. Lent is traditionally a time for introspection, sacrifice, and renewal, making it the perfect season to declutter our homes and create a more peaceful environment.

The Spiritual Connection Between Lent and Decluttering

Lent invites us to examine our lives, let go of excesses, and focus on what truly matters. Similarly, decluttering our homes allows us to shed unnecessary possessions, leading to a clearer mind and a more serene space. By aligning our physical environment with our spiritual journey, we can experience a harmonious sense of renewal.

Introducing the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

One practical way to embark on this decluttering journey is through the “40 Bags in 40 Days” challenge. This initiative encourages you to declutter one bag’s worth of items each day throughout Lent, culminating in a more organized and simplified home by Easter. Keep in mind a “bag” can be whatever you decide. You make the rules so it’s a manageable and impactful approach to tidying up, fostering both physical and spiritual growth.

Tips to Get Started

1. Create a Decluttering Plan: List the areas in your home you’d like to tackle, assigning each space to a specific day or week. Often I use my FlyLady Zones as a basic starting point. But you can also just walk through your hoe with a notepad and jot down the areas that have been bothering you. This structured approach ensures that the each nook and cranny receives attention.
2. Set Realistic Goals: Remember, the size of the bag and the items you choose to remove can vary. The key is consistency and making thoughtful decisions about what to keep and what to let go. It helps me to remember that I/we deserve to live in a home that blesses us, so as I’m going through each area I’m keeping that relaxed, happy feeling in mind. It helps me decide if something will add to our lives or if it’s feeling like a drain on our energy and resources.
3. Mindful Reflection: As you declutter, start with the easy things first – the trash or things you’ve know for a while you wanted to get rid of. This helps build your “decluttering muscle”. As you go, you might find yourself taking a moment to reflect on the significance of each item. Does it serve a purpose? Does it bring joy? If doing so is helpful, great! But if you feel yourself getting bogged down, remember the goal is to keep moving. So if you aren’t quite ready to let it go, that’s ok too. Put the item where you would look for it first and move on. In the end, the goal is to let go of possessions in a way that feels freeing, allowing you to focus on the essentials.
4. Donate and Share: Items that no longer serve you might be valuable to someone else. Consider donating gently used belongings to local charities, embodying the Lenten practice of almsgiving.

Maintaining a Clutter-Free Home

Decluttering is just the beginning. To sustain an organized space:

• Adopt Daily Habits: If you don’t know where to start, my biggest tip is to keep these two “rules” in mind: 1) don’t go to bed with dishes in the sink. 2) Use a timer and set it for 10 minutes after dinner. In that 10 minutes doe the dishes and clean up the kitchen as much and as quickly as you can. But once the timer goes off, you’re done. The rest can get tackled tomorrow and you get to go have some down time (before or after the kids get to bed). Spend a few minutes each day tidying up. Simple routines, like managing mail immediately or limiting the number of reusable bags, can prevent clutter from accumulating. Check out more on how this works
• Be Mindful of New Acquisitions: Before bringing new items into your home, consider if they are truly necessary. Additionally – give yourself the “one in, one out” rule to keep collections from growing. This mindfulness helps maintain the balance you’ve worked hard to achieve.

Embrace the Journey

Decluttering during Lent is more than just a physical act; it’s a spiritual journey that fosters growth, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the essence of the season. By creating a serene and organized home, you pave the way for a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

One of the ways I like to enrich this process is to use my favorite natural cleaner from Jordan Essentials on the space I’m decluttering: The Healthy Home Spray comes in two essential oil options – Lemon and Resistance (Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Rosemary and Eucalyptus). They both work great at fighting through the gunk while leaving behind a light and clean scent. Once the space is decluttered, cleaned, and smelling fresh, it gives me such a boost! I can feel my home becoming the warm and welcoming space I envision with each area I’ve decluttered and cleaned.

For more inspiration and practical tips on decluttering, check out my “12 Weeks to Reset Your Home” Video Series:

You can also check out my friend Sara’s “40 Bags in 40 Days” series for more motivation.

Wishing you a transformative and enriching Lenten season.