The 40 Day Decluttering Challenge
There’s no place like New Orleans. Anywhere else Mardi Gras is just a Tuesday, but here, the months preceding are filled with revelry, parades, balls, beads, and lots of king cake. After the last float rolls away and the street cleaners tidy up, our community undergoes a natural reset and renews good intentions with diets, cleanses, and spring cleaning. Almost like a second New Year, New Orleanians pledge to clear the chaos of carnival, and start fresh. This is the perfect time to join our 40 Day Decluttering Challenge to simplify your space and rejuvenate energy, just in time for festival season!
How It Works
Each day, we’ll focus on decluttering one small area of your home by removing at least 25 items per day. Over the course of the challenge we’ll cover every space, from your kitchen and closets to digital clutter like emails and phone apps. By the end, you’ll have decluttered over 1,000 items from your home!
Daily Decluttering Focus Areas
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the areas we’ll cover:
Week 1: Kickstart with high-impact areas like the entryway, living room surfaces, and kitchen counters.
Week 2: Clear out the kitchen and dining spaces, including the pantry, refrigerator, and kitchen drawers.
Week 3: Tackle the bathroom and utility spaces, such as under the sink, medicine cabinets, and linen closets.
Week 4: Focus on bedrooms and closets, sorting through clothing, dressers, and nightstands.
Week 5: Declutter miscellaneous spaces, like your car, storage closet, and outdoor areas.
Week 6: Wrap up with digital and sentimental clutter, including emails, photos, and keepsakes.
Tips for Success
Set a Timer: Spend just 15 minutes a day to keep it manageable.
Use the Three-Box Method: Sort items into keep, donate, and discard piles.
Stay Accountable: Tag @sortednola on Instagram and share your progress—whoever posts the most wins 2 free hours of organizing!
Celebrate Small Wins: Every decluttered drawer or shelf is a step toward a more organized home!
Join the Challenge
Enjoy Mardi Gras and savor the kind cake, then follow our city’s rhythm of renewal. By the time French Quarter Fest rolls around, you’ll be 1,000 items lighter! Let’s take small, consistent steps together and share the big changes you see at the end. Download the challenge list, cross off each completed space, and enjoy a refreshed, decluttered home!