The easiest decluttering challenge there is also makes a good way to get started (or re-started) decluttering: declutter one thing a day.

I have fallen out of the habit of working on going through my craft supplies — and other things that need to be decluttered — so I’ve decided that I need a challenge.

Maybe you do, too.

So here it is: starting now, declutter one thing a day.

The easy level of this is literally choosing one thing a day to donate or trash, but if you want to make it a little more of a challenge (or, like me, you have a lot of stuff to go through) make your one “thing” a box, bin or bag.

Touch everything and decide what you really need to keep.

Be honest.

Be ruthless.

What are you really using? What are really going to use?

What are you hanging onto because it was expensive or because you really want to take up that hobby or because everyone was making it on Pinterest three years ago and you still haven’t done it?

Acknowledge the loss that comes from not making the thing that you intended to make. But remember that it doesn’t do you or the stuff any good to hold onto it.

How to Get Started: Declutter One Thing a Day

Begin where you are, whenever you are reading this. Start with something you automatically know is not something you want to keep. It’s fabric from a project you never made and don’t intend to, leftovers from something you made that you don’t like, even finished projects you don’t wear or use.

If you go the one bag or box route, pick the one you trip over on the way to your sewing machine, or whatever’s blocking the craft closet door (you’re going to need to get in there anyway).

Or start with something that will make a big difference to you: your desk, your bedside table, that pile by the couch that annoys you every. time. you walk by.

The key is to build momentum.

Start with easy wins or things that will keep you motivated to continue. Don’t start with a big, boring, not very visible job like cleaning out the filing cabinet where you keep your scrapbooking paper, or the guestroom closet where no one goes anyway.

You might want to pick someone really obvious to start so that family members will notice and comment positively.

Or you might start in your own space, because you’re doing this for you as much as for them.

Once you’ve made that start, reward yourself with some crafting time. Bonus points if you work on finishing an unfinished project.

This easy decluttering challenge is something you can keep up with for a week, or a month, or as long as it takes to get to “done,” whatever done looks like. Spaces that look good and feel good and make you want to make in them.

If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!