the fall chuck-it challenge!
Labour Day. Kids back to school. Ready again for a more routine life. Like clockwork, the Spring and Fall are the seasons to regroup, reorganize and reconsider all the crap we collect!
Personally, I’m a Fall person. I feel recharged from a wild and woolly Summer and ready to take on the world again. Unfortunately my house does not feel the same way. It’s dazed and confused by what just happened over the past few months and it’s begging for help to see the light (at least enough that we can see the dust!).
And so, I present to you today, The First Annual Chuck-It Challenge! Trumpet please!! Stay with me, here’s what I propose:
1 Room per Week. Now that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
You get to pick the room. You can plan them out, or decide last minute - however the mood takes you - or in my case, whichever kid’s crying the most about holes in their socks.
You have 1 week to clean out that room - take a box with you!! - get rid of unused stuff and look after small repairs.
You can clean too if you want, but that’s not what this exercise is about, so don’t get bogged down by the usual maintenance.
If It’s a small bathroom and you get it done on Monday after work - great! - you’re done for the week.
But if you know you’re away next week, do two rooms this week. No excuses.
I’m really going to give this little scheme a try. I’ve counted up my rooms (including a outdoor spaces) and I have 16 tackle spots. If I stay on track, I’ll be done by the end of the year. Hopefully I can work ahead so I can give myself the holidays off ; )
If you don’t mind, I’m going to list mine here so I have the added pressure of public scrutiny.
I think I’ll print it off for an official check-list on my bulletin board as I likely won’t do the rooms in this order.
1) Playroom - this has to be first so I can donate a bunch of toys to the school fall fair
2) Aidan’s room - very, very, scary closet
3) Charlotte’s room - oooohhh, that’s a biggy, better book a day off work
4) 4 Bathrooms - I think that’s doable as 2 don’t have much in them
5) Garage - help!
6) Storage sheds - book Bob
7) Mudroom - perfect timing to organize winter gear and see what fits
8) Basement storage room - ho hum, it’s likely going to be cold outside anyway…
9) Living room - looks good on the outside but I know what’s in those cupboards and it ain’t pretty
10) Dining room - pretty light one, do this on a busy week
11) Kitchen - can’t wait to get into those corner cupboards!
12) Master bedroom - yuk, so needs renovation, I’ll do this room very begrudgingly (like anyone cares)
13) Office - easy, I can do it when I should actually be working
14) Laundry room - interesting…can’t remember the last time I did anything in there other than laundry
15) Recreation room and basement bar/hall - better known as “the drop zone”
16) Gift room - yes I have one, I’m obsessed. By now the Xmas gifts should be out and so it’s a good time to do it
To be honest, the list may look long but just having the house divided up this way makes it feel easier to approach. And lets face it, if I even get half way through the list it’s better than thinking I can’t anything done because the job’s too big.
And so how about you? Are you up for the challenge? Or do you just want to tell me to chuck-it? I know, I know…you’re a Spring person.
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