Decluttering Your Life by Steph Beth Nickel

Have you ever signed up for an online challenge because you thought it sounded interesting or because you thought it might be the nudge in the right direction that you needed, the kick in the backside so to speak?

That was my reason for signing up for Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Bible Study challenge. It sounded intriguing: getting rid of excess stuff and exploring the spiritual implications of doing so.

Take Up a Challenge

While I don’t typically give up something for Lent, this challenge involved tossing or re-homing at least 10 items per day, 6 days per week. Almost 400 items gone in 40 days. It sounded great to me. Plus, I knew I could achieve that goal by tackling nothing more than my bookshelves.

Within the first week and a half, I had boxed up approximately that many books and magazines and made several trips to the library to drop them off. I also took a number of trips to the local thrift store with boxes or household items and bags of clothes.

I discovered open space within our home that we hadn’t had in years. Plus, I was finding spots to put away items that had sat out for … wait for it … yes, years. One family member teased they were going from being uncomfortable in cramped spaces to being uncomfortable in open ones.

Be Open to Surprising Revelations

The transformation within our home is evident even though I still have a long way to go. But it’s the transformation within my mind and heart that have been the most surprising.

Kathi Lipp doesn’t merely tack on spiritual meaning to our clutter. She shines a light on the whys and wherefores. She does it as one who has “been there, done that.”

Why do we accumulate stuff we don’t need? Why do we keep it? What are the benefits of leading a clutter free lifestyle?

Celebrate Victories and Don't Let Setbacks Discourage You

As an extrovert, I do best when surrounded by community. The closed Facebook group for the clutter free challenge soon became one of my favourites. Here we were safe to confess our struggles and celebrate our victories. Courageous souls posted before and after pictures, knowing they wouldn’t be judged, criticized, or condemned. And because it was a Bible study, we got to explore the changes within our hearts and minds, not just our homes.

Narrow your Focus

In the midst of our current responsibilities and the multitude of intriguing opportunities that pique our curiosity, we have to choose which to pursue at any given time.

What the Lord revealed to me during Lent about my stuff and myself have become pivotal for the present and the future. It is my desire to live a clutter free life; ultimately, pursuing only those things He has for me.

Have you had a life-changing realization lately? I’d love to hear about it.  

Surprised by Transformation by Steph Beth Nickel

The following post first appeared on Janet Sketchley's blog, "Tenacity."

Be on the lookout. Transformation can come in ways you never expected.

And that’s exactly what has been happening to me this Lenten season.

While I don’t usually participate in the tradition of giving up something for Lent, this year I became aware of Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Bible Study and decided to jump onboard.

The challenge: get rid of 10 things per day for the 40 days of Lent.

Having wanted to declutter our home for years, I thought it was a great way to start.

I had no idea.

I knew I could get rid of most, if not all 400 items, by culling my books and magazines, which I did.

However, I have also kept going, aiming to get rid of 10 items per day not only until Easter but also beyond that, until our home is the way we want it, free of clutter.

You have to understand … I used to have a blog called “Confessions of a Horrible Housekeeper.” That wasn’t one of those cutesy titles created by someone who was actually just shy of receiving The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. No! Horrible was an accurate descriptor.

But that’s changing.

Not because it will make me a better person.

Not because others will think more highly of me.

Not to my credit.

It’s all about the Lord.

What does decluttering have to do with our spiritual life?

In the study, Kathi Lipp addresses the “whys” of clutter. Why do we surround ourselves with things we don’t need and/or love? Why do we hold onto things even when we’ve come to recognize them as clutter?

This is not a one-size-fits-all study. But when you discover yourself in the pages of Clutter Free, it’s powerful.

What are some of the advantages I’ve discovered so far?

I feel lighter emotionally, having gotten rid of so many items.

Because I’ve cleaned out my kitchen cupboards, I’ve found “forever homes” for items that have sat out for years. I’m also motivated to wash up the dishes as we dirty them, leaving our newly discovered counter free of clutter.

I’ve set a good example for my hubby and our daughter. No nagging necessary. They’ve both begun to address their own clutter and we’re enjoying the transformation together.

How do I know this was the right time to take this challenge?

For the sake of peace in our household, I decided years ago not to nag my family members about the condition of the house. Therefore, for the most part, I ignored the ever-increasing piles of stuff that surrounded us.

When I made an effort to tidy up, I became overwhelmed with the immensity of the task and would give up.

I was under the mistaken impression that something new and shiny would either make me happy or motivate me to do what I felt I should (thus, the accumulation of cookbooks and fitness equipment).

But no more.

I’ve found contentment in addressing the clutter in even a small corner of our home.

The Clutter Free Facebook group is a safe place to be open and honest. I’ve been encouraged and had the opportunity to encourage others.

I’ve let go of my defensive attitude. In the past I felt others were judging me because of the condition of our home—and I was determined to defend my choices even if they never knew about it.

Never before have I been so excited to get rid of things.

The most important changes are taking place within me, not the walls of our home.

When has transformation surprised you? 

Hope is an Empty Bookcase by Steph Beth Nickel

Although I don't typically observe Lent, this year I joined Kathi Lipp's challenge based on her book Clutter Free.

It's so much more than simply a way to organize one's household.

The challenge entails re-homing or tossing 10 pieces of clutter per day for the 40 days of Lent. For some, it's as simple as emptying the garbage from a purse or going through a stack of papers.

But for others, like myself, it means boxing up hundreds of items and getting them out of the house.

I have set myself a goal of getting rid of 400+ books and magazines. Although I'm only eight days into the challenge, I'm almost there. (I very much look forward to paying a visit to our public library this weekend and unloading several cartons of books.)

For years I've felt "less than" those whose houses always appear clean, tidy, and relatively clutter free. Resentfulness and envy factored into the mix as well. Clutter is so much more than just having too much stuff.

Kathi Lipp believes the root causes of accumulating more than we need are fear, guilt, and shame. While I wouldn't have come to this conclusion, the more I examine things from her perspective, the more I see there is truth in what she says.

And just how does hope factor in to the process of decluttering?

Here is what I look forward to, what I hope for, on the other side of this process (one that is sure to last long past the Lenten season):

1. Others will benefit from those things which I give away.

2. There will be space to put away the things I choose to keep.

3. I will be less distracted by our stuff.

4. I will be more inclined to invite others over.

5. Our home will appear larger.

6. We will be able to accommodate family and friends who choose to come for an extended stay.

7. I will think twice (or three times) before I purchase something I don't need.

8. I will become more content with what I have.

9. I will be able to concentrate on what truly matters.

10. I will set a good example for my family.

11.I will be in a position to offer hope to others whose excess is weighing them down.

And ...

12. If we ever move, it will be far less stressful.

How about you? Could you find hope in an empty bookcase, kitchen cupboard, or spare room?