Decluttering Challenge

Youtube recommended a video for me, about a September 2024 cleaning challenge, focused on home decluttering. I’ve searched on their app so many times to learn what chemicals or techniques to clean specific items so it’s not surprising they algorithmically urge me to watch more tidying-up content. When there was a fire in my apartment building last year I decided to throw away so many ruined things, and put a lot of research and care into cleansing the items I kept (nothing was burned in my apartment, it was just saturated with smoke). The video was only 6 or 7 minutes but very inspiring and I did end up trying the method as directed. I haven’t posted about it on other social media with the designated hashtag but I guess this is me coming out about it now: “I did the hashtag clutterbug declutter challenge!”. The content creator probably wants more instagram posts and tags in X tweets, I imagine, but the best I can do is one of my blog posts.

I followed the channel right away and each day have taken my orders as the YouTuber suggests which area of the home to de-clutter. Yesterday was arts and crafts supplies. Mine was already streamlined and orderly, but I was still able to remove some unwanted odds and ends. Throughout the month the challenge has focused on many different areas of the home (office, refrigerator, make-up or skincare supplies, serving dishes, etc), there were some that don’t really apply within my apartment but it was interesting and motivated me to think about what other similar spaces I might be able to tidy anyway. Today is the garage, for example, and I don’t drive nor have such a space, so I’ll just have to turn somewhere else. The place I keep my umbrellas and reusable shopping bags (for when I take the bus) might be the spot for me.

To summarise the technique used for this de-cluttering challenge, you set a timer for five minutes and look for five items that constitute “clutter” that should be removed (thrown away, donated, or just moved to a more suitable area). It reminds me of that old Coco Chanel fashion advice to look in the mirror and decide to remove one accessory (something like that, I think the goal was to prevent looking overly decorated). It’s not a challenge to deep clean or re-organize anything, just removing stray items each day. Broken things or obvious junk, it’s pretty easy to do and not demanding much time. Even though I thought my home isn’t very cluttered, it has been satisfying for me to try each day. 

The phrase that first came to mind when I was thinking about how to describe the Youtuber hosting this challenge is “SLAY MAMÁ!” I’m not sure how to elaborate on that, but I love her effusive positive energy and attitude. The guide through the challenge is a Canadian woman, she is blonde and has a very upbeat smiley temperament on camera, traits that are often each kinda off-putting, but I really enjoyed everything she had to say. She has a helpful way of explaining her mindset and approach. Following her the last few weeks, I have become a big fan.  The challenge on her Youtube channel is free of course, but she does offer some paid programs to help with deep-cleaning or reorganizing your house. 

Over the short videos each day I feel like I’ve learned so much about the YT host. Not her name though (lol), if she’s said it I’ve completely forgotten (the Youtube channel is called Clutterbug). In an early video for the challenge she casually mentioned having a past drug abuse problem, that she is a “reformed slob” and that doing this quick decluttering technique in the challenge gives her a boost in dopamine that helps prevent her turning back to her old ways (getting high and being lazy about cleaning). She shared that because she has a criminal record it’s hard for her to travel, and I felt it really endeared her to me (that she would share about such a stigmatized situation). That isn’t something I’ve been through, but it seems brave for her to share her wholesome presentation is not the full story of what her life is like!  In another video she admits to in the past weighing over 250lbs as well (she is probably just under 200 in these current videos) and she is now training to become a firefighter which she claims has been a great workout. 

It’s been more than a year since the fire in my apartment building, and my massive cleaning job, so somehow clutter had accumulated again. I am happy to have found this challenge online! And I would highly recommend this for anyone who needs some help getting started at some kind of regular cleaning practice. Even if you keep a spotless living environment it might be worthwhile, just to be reminded to give attention to those areas used only for storage or special occasions.