• Home
  • About
    • About Gina
    • Disclosure & Policies
    • Advertise
  • Home Tour
    • Entry
    • Kitchen
    • Living Room
    • Dining Room
    • Command Center
    • Powder Room
    • Den
    • Office
    • Guest Room
    • Master Bedroom
    • Master Bathroom
    • Baby Girl’s Room
    • Boy’s Room
  • Organization
  • Favorite Things
  • DIY
  • Decor
  • Design Services
  • Contact

Living Solutions blog

Ideas & Inspiration

40 Bags in 40 Days ~ Update

April 16, 2012 By Living Solutions Interior Design

I don’t know where the last two weeks have gone! We’ve been busy over here at Living Solutions, and we also have had lots of company for the Easter holiday. So it’s finally back to daily grind. Why is it, that when your routine is {pleasantly} disrupted, it takes so long to get back on track? 
Or is it just me?!

So I thought I’d do a quick re-cap on my 40 Bags in 40 Days project. I have to warn you, this post lacks pictures! As I mentioned in this post, I challenged myself for Lent this year to donate or trash 40 bags in 40 days. To be honest, I’m kind of surprised that I was able to fill over 40 bags to be donated, trashed, etc. I was preparing to use the donated count that I had given away just prior to starting this project. I wasn’t sure if I could actually take it on, and had already given away quite a bit since we had moved and started organizing. Even my hubby doubted my abilities to follow through on this pretty large task!

But I accomplished it! 44 bags or boxes donated or trashed. I wish I had pictures of what I donated and what my spaces look like now. But I didn’t take any pictures :(.  And even though we gave away so much, it doesn’t feel like there are infinitely more organized spaces in this house. 

But it’s definitely helped and I’m getting back to to organizing our home one step at a time!  I do feel like we’ve paired down quite a bit and only have what we use and like. We still haven’t gone through our master closet, which I know will be quite a task as there is quite a bit of “donate-able items” hiding in there!


The great benefit of this whole exercise is that I feel like I’m finally back on a roll of organizing each space every month or so. That’s the key: You just have to keep at it, continually editing and evaluating what you need and love, and it will feel so much more manageable. 

Since this challenge, I’ve really looked at the “things” in our house and I’ve been constantly evaluating: 

  •  Do we really need this item?
  •  Is it being used?
  •  Is it loved or has sentimental value? 
  • Do we have a spot for it? 
I also really think twice while I’m out shopping.  I really think about bringing something new into our home. Before I head to the check out aisle, I’ve been asking myself:
  • Does this have a specific purpose that we need right now?
  • Do we have a specific spot where this item can live in our house?
It’s been a fun challenge, actually! I’ve actually liked finding things we didn’t need and tossing them into the donate bag! Did any of you participate in this give-away challenge? Did this inspire you to donate even just a couple of bags or clean up a space that’s been taunting you?! I hope so!

You May also Like:

40 Bags in 40 Days Powder Bath Update ~ Before and After Weekend Update and Woven Wood Shades Command Central Update

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: challenges, Inspiration, Organization, Organizing One Step at a Time

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I'm Gina and welcome to the Living Solutions Blog! I'm a wife, a mom of 4 little kiddos and the owner of Living Solutions Interior Design. My family and I recently moved from San Diego, CA to Nebraska and this blog is where I share inspiration, design tips and ideas, projects and every day life! Thanks for stopping by!

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Search Living Solutions

Popular Posts

  • A "How-To" Box Pleat Valance Tutorial A “How-To” Bo...
  • Summer Goals & Activity Ideas with Printables Summer Goals & Activ...
  • Painting a Big Girl Bed Using Chalk Paint Painting a Big Girl Bed U...
  • Simple Chore Charts Simple Chore Charts
  • BEFORE & AFTER Kitchen Upgrade BEFORE & AFTER Kitch...
  • Before & After - Master Bathroom Remodel Before & After ̵...
  • Progress Update ~ Shared Little Girls' Room Progress Update ~ Shared...
  • Kids' Art & School Work Organization Kids’ Art & Sc...

Archives

Tag Cloud

Accents Area Rugs Art Artwork Bathrooms Bedrooms Before and Afters Blog challenges Christmas Client Projects Command Central Crafty Projects Design Tips Details DIY Fabrics Fall Decor Favorite Things FIreplaces Furniture Gallery Walls Gina's Home Holiday Decorating Holidays Home Home Improvement Inspiration Kids kids rooms Kitchen remodel Kitchens Laundry Rooms Living Rooms Nursery Organization Organizing One Step at a Time Paint Paper Organization Remodels Seasonal Shopping Treasures Things We Love Uncategorized Window Treatments
All content © 2025 Living Solutions blog • Design by TMC Designs, LLC.
Screen Shot 2016-04-25 at 12.30.48 PM

Stay up to date on posts, professional designer tips and our newsletter.

Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.