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Welcome to the Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life Challenge!

August 1, 2015 by Melissa Howell 78 Comments

Tidy your home once the right way and never have to do it again! Sound too good to be true? There's only one way to find out! Last day to sign up for the challenge and enter to win "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" is Sunday, August 9th 2015. Don't delay! Sign up today!Tidy your home once the right way and never have to do it again! Sound too good to be true? There’s only one way to find out! Join us on our Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life Challenge!

We’ve all been there. After spending hours cleaning and organizing, we step back to admire our work and vow to keep things looking neat and tidy. Yet time and time again, the space we cleaned reverts to its cluttered state. The problem is, when most of us clean and organize, we are really just rearranging our stuff.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying UpThe key to lasting tidiness is to only keep those things that bring us joy. This is the premise of the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Upand the basis of this challenge. The author and developer of this system, Marie Kondo, spends her days teaching people her “KonMari” method, and she makes the amazing claim that nobody who completes her system has ever rebounded and reverted to messiness and clutter. This is because as you go through her prescribed method of tidying, your mindset changes and your perspective shifts. Even if you have failed in the past, or think you are just “not a clean person,” or even if you think you are lazy, you can do this!

One of the keys to lasting tidiness is to do it once, and do it right. The KonMari method can take anywhere from a weekend (if you live in a very small space or just have a room to yourself) to six months or longer. But the tasks are broken down into easy, manageable parts so that you won’t get overwhelmed or lose steam part-way through.

This challenge that has been developed for you will last for about six months, but there will only be one assignment per week that will take anywhere from a few minutes up to an hour or more (depending on how much stuff you have). I know six months seems like a long time, but ask yourself this: How long have you been trying to truly get your house in order? How long do you think it will take to do it, and keep it that way? Do you feel like you are doomed to tidy for the rest of your life? Do your possessions seem to multiply, no matter how much you throw out? If so, the possibility of being done in six months and never having to do it again is pretty amazing. Of course, I’m not saying that you will never have to do the dishes or the laundry again. But if you follow this program fully, your home will never revert to a state of clutter and disorganization.

During this course, we will cover topics like:

  • Why tidying a little at a time, or room by room, doesn’t work
  • What to do if your family members are the messy ones
  • The correct order for tidying so that you don’t rebound
  • What to do when you can’t throw something away
  • The proper way to fold and store your clothes
  • How to decide whether to keep something or get rid of it
  • How to store books, papers, and sentimental items

It’s no secret that our environment affects every part of our life, including our emotions and physical health. Most of us (if not all of us) would love to live in a clean, relaxing environment. The good news is, this is actually possible (even if you have kids)! And the effects will be amazing.

  • Your decision-making skills will increase and be applied to all areas of your life–not just to housekeeping.
  • By going through all your possessions, you will also process your past and be able to let go of things that may be holding you back from your true potential.
  • You will clarify your true ideals and set a standard of excellence for yourself and the things you own.
  • You will be happier and more peaceful without all the noise of excess possessions. You’ll be surrounded by only those things that bring you joy.

So, are you ready to take the plunge? If so, just move on to the second post in this series. And please subscribe! When you subscribe , you will receive my Ordered Checklist for an organized home, plus other surprise freebies you don’t want to miss! (I’ll email you the checklist and surprise bonus items when you confirm your subscription. But as soon as you subscribe, you’ll get to see my famous pants folding video!)

Are you worried you don’t have time for this? Take heart! Everything is broken down into small, manageable weekly tasks. So go ahead and enter your email address below to begin your journey towards a peaceful, organized home! And be sure to share this on Facebook and Pinterest! (And follow Ice Cream Inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest, too, if you would be so kind!)

One thing that is crucial to your success is going in order! Please don’t just skip around to the things that most interest you. Going in order is key to avoiding relapse! You’ll find the link to the next post at the bottom of each post, or you can also visit the Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life page where all the posts are listed.

Are you ready to change your life? What are you waiting for?

Next week’s post: Preparing for the Challenge. 

TODAY’S FREEBIE

 

 

Filed Under: Home Organization and Design, Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life Tagged With: challenge, konmari, organizing, tidying, transform your home

Ten percent of the net proceeds of this blog are donated to Operation Underground Railroad, a brave organization that saves children around the world from trafficking. To learn more and to donate, please visit ourrescue.org.

Comments

  1. Jacobi says

    August 1, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    I’ve done pretty well at the decluttering part except for family history/school records. But I’m in need of help when it comes to creating spaces that feel like home. This will be fun!

    Reply
  2. Amanda bentley says

    August 1, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    I really love this idea! My home is pretty clean for the most part, but my problem areas seem to be the bathroom cabinets (under the sink), closets, and my junk drawer in my kitchen. So hopefully I can fix those! I am following you on Facebook, but cannot find you on Pinterest! Working on it, though!

    Reply
  3. jan says

    August 2, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    I’m always trying to make my kitchen and pantry more efficient because they’re small. It’s all my food magazines and cookbooks that I read like novels that make clutter spots! Even though I put them in plastic containers they seem to jump out everywhere! Lol. But I’m always looking for something new to try.

    Reply
  4. Charity Smith says

    August 3, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    I’m a paper collector. Piles everywhere. Need a system, man!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    August 3, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    I have organizing issues. Hoping this helps!

    Reply
  6. Christie says

    August 3, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Looking forward to getting started!

    Reply
  7. Annette says

    August 3, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Retired and needing to let go of many things I’ve collected over the years so I can truly enjoy my “golden years”

    Reply
  8. Sara says

    August 3, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    I feel like I am constantly cleaning and organizing, trying to find new systems. Help!!! My brain is losing ideas on how to manage the clutter.

    Reply
  9. m. whitehair says

    August 3, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Looking forward to a refreshing start!

    Reply
  10. Kelli says

    August 3, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Hey Melissa!
    I was really excited when I saw this! We are starting the process of getting our home ready to sell…it could take awhile. I am totally overwhelmed about how much stuff we have! Being in a home for 9 years, you can really collect a lot of things. If I don’t win the book then I will look into buying it. I’m excited for the challenge. Thanks for doing this!

    Reply
  11. Ashley says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    I love organizing and have been wanting to read this book!

    Reply
  12. Katie Burgi says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    You must have caught me on the perfect day. If this really works like you say it will, this will be awesome! I am so sick of cleaning up!

    Reply
  13. Aubrey says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Can’t wait to get started!!!! We just moved in to a new home and this will help me get everything out away and stay organized with 2 littles!

    Reply
  14. Lisa says

    August 3, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    I’m ready to get started and reclaim my space.

    Reply
  15. Analisa says

    August 3, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    I would love to not spend so much time tidying up everyday to just do it all over again the next day! So ready for this challenge!

    Reply
  16. Bonnie says

    August 3, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    i can’t wait to get started!!

    Reply
  17. Lyla says

    August 3, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    I’m ready !

    Reply
  18. Stephanie Powell says

    August 3, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    I need help!!!!!

    Reply
  19. sparks says

    August 3, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    Can’t wait! my family needs to be more organized.Hopefully this will help.

    Reply
  20. Angela S says

    August 3, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    I am SO ready for this!!

    Reply
  21. betty says

    August 4, 2015 at 7:45 am

    My house is a disaster. 4 kids ages 3 to 14 and i work a lot. I need help figuring out how to make things flow in this house . it will make everyone happy!

    Reply
  22. Kat1249 says

    August 4, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I am recently retired after 42 years of teaching, juggling housekeeping and kid raising. I can’t wait to get my house in peaceful order, finally.

    Reply
  23. Sharolyn says

    August 4, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    excited to take part!

    Reply
  24. Cindy says

    August 4, 2015 at 1:24 pm

    Have been on wait list at library for 6 months. Household of 7 horders.

    Reply
  25. linda says

    August 4, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    I can’t wait to start. I bought a new house in October with a craft room and I haven’t been able to get it organized so I can actually craft in it
    I just keep the door closed.

    Reply
  26. Patty says

    August 4, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    For years I have told my family that my goal is to have ‘A Place for Everything, and Everything in it’s Place.’ So far I have not been able to achieve this-hopefully this challenge is my answer!

    Reply
  27. Lynn says

    August 4, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    I am hoping to achieve a general peace about my home. I feel like we are constantly purging and never getting anywhere.

    Reply
  28. Jill says

    August 4, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Having peace of heart and mind, knowing we only have, in our home, what brings joy. So joy can be reflected in us.

    Reply
  29. Karen says

    August 4, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    i was left alone at 25 to raise 3 kids and care for my disabled mom for 10 years alone while working and attending college. I never learned or had the time to tackle the household clutter. I’m hoping to get through the mounds of paperwork that’s piling up in my kitchen and office as well as let go of some of my parents belongings. I hang on to these items but they just weigh me down… Grandfather clock? Silver? Hummels? All beautiful, but NOT ME! Coupons, bank statements, credit card paperwork, YIKES! I’m ready to be organized…

    Reply
  30. Alice says

    August 5, 2015 at 2:03 am

    Hi!
    I’m so excited I ran across this. I recently purchased the book so please don’t include me in the drawing.
    My problem is that I’ve always been a very organized, minimalist type person (my home was often referred to the museum…a bit much, I know) until about 4 years ago when I got sick. At that time I started to spend a lot of my time online, started shopping online way too much, going to shop at craft stores with no need whatsoever, ordering subscription boxes, etc. Well…I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff that I’ve never used, much of it still brand new in its original package (making it that much harder to get rid of). I want to return to the peace and joy I felt in the past when I was home. I currently feel anxiety and a huge feeling of being overwhelmed when Im home and start thinking about where/how to start to fix the place up (which I think of several times daily because it’s driving me crazy!).
    I look forward to this challenge more than you know! Last thing, for those of us who have more free time on our hands, and may finish the weekly tasks sooner, as well as those of us who may not want to take the entire month of December off, will there be some minimal guidance so we can stay on track while continuing the challenge? I know myself well and with the proper support, I know I’ll jump into this and won’t stop until I’m done. I hope it’s okay that some of us may “need” to work at faster pace to get this accomplished. And that in no way means Im thinking of this as a race.
    Last, last thing….do you suggest we start reading the book now if we have it, or are we going to read together week by week, a piece at time?
    Thank you for putting this challenge together!!!

    Reply
  31. Lauren says

    August 5, 2015 at 4:08 am

    Oh, this would be so absolutely wonderful if it works! I have three small children, and I have just recently given up. I give up cleaning a room for hours only to turn around and have it messy in a matter of minutes. We have clothes everywhere that seem to reproduce over night, a dog that sheds what seems like his full coat everyday, and kids that don’t understand why mom is unhappy when it’s time to go and no one can find their shoes. I’m TIRED! Tired of being Monster Mom and a depressed, nagging wife. Please save our souls! I’m a teacher, so a free book would be awesome, and I promise to devour it and let my friends know about it if it works!

    Reply
    • JAna says

      August 7, 2015 at 11:58 am

      Oh, my! I think we are twins! I’m hulk mom and I hear your every word!!!

      Reply
  32. Kandice says

    August 5, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    I can’t wait to get started on this! Thank you so much for putting it together. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Marianne Sankey says

    August 5, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    Hoping this can get me focused on simplifying my home.

    Reply
  34. Alex degarmo says

    August 5, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    I am very excited to start something that gives me daily goals to accomplish and to finally establish a clutter-free, minimalist household.

    Endless thanks,
    Alex

    Reply
  35. Tiffany M says

    August 5, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    Thank you so much for this challenge. I couldn’t have found this at a better time. I’m now following you on Facebook and pinterest 🙂 Can’t wait to get started!

    Reply
  36. Danielle longenecker says

    August 5, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    i have been wanting to do something like this but just not sure where to start. I am excited for this.

    Reply
  37. Kayla says

    August 6, 2015 at 12:20 am

    I need this in my life!!! Less clutter. Less stress. More relaxation. ☺

    Reply
  38. amanda says

    August 6, 2015 at 7:49 am

    I am excited to try this. I know I need it. God told me in 2013 to get my house in order and I’ve been trying ever since.

    Reply
    • JAna says

      August 7, 2015 at 11:55 am

      I had the same experience–God told me to get my house in order too in 2014 but didn’t know where to start because it’s just too overwhelming with our four kids and their constant growing out of stuff and bringing home papers and stuff from school! I pray this helps me obey that message from heaven.

      Reply
  39. Cathy Nobbe says

    August 6, 2015 at 10:18 am

    I am so excited to have found this, and am always striving to try to be organized, without ever actually getting there. So ready for the inspiration and the challenge. Thank you.

    Reply
  40. Alina says

    August 6, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    I am so excited to participate in this challenge! I need some simplicity in my life.

    Reply
  41. Lornia says

    August 6, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    hope this is more encouraging than watching the tv show Hoarders.

    Reply
  42. Jessi says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:05 am

    This couldn’t have come at a better time. My 14 and 11 year old will be going to school starting this year. They have been home schooled up till now. I will be also going to work and school. Very nervous how I am going to be able to keep up.

    Reply
  43. Emily says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:44 am

    I love a good challenge! With 5 young children in the house, i need to find a better way to keep our home tidy and organized, that does not leave me feeling stressed and overwhelmed:)

    Reply
  44. Trice says

    August 7, 2015 at 10:17 am

    I’m so glad I saw this! I am just starting to do my yearly cleaning out and this will be so helpful.

    Reply
  45. Karen says

    August 7, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    I am also very excited to start the challenge. I read about this method a few months ago, but wasn’t ready to start, I find the methods intriguing.

    Reply
  46. Miranda says

    August 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    I have so much STUFF!!! I can’t wait to see how to get rid of it. And to live a happier life.

    Reply
  47. Lynda lamon says

    August 7, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Excited about the challenge! Thanks for the chance to win the book!!!

    Reply
  48. Bethany says

    August 7, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I hope this actually works. 🙂

    Reply
  49. Bel says

    August 7, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    I have been hearing a lot about the amazing effects this book and method is having on peoples lives. Having just moved into a smaller home, I’ve been planning on reading it, in the hope of simplifying my life and getting rid of the clutter, which i believe is holding me back in life. I can’t wait to get started on this challenge. Thanks for the push in the right direction at just the right time!

    Reply
  50. Jenny says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Great challenge for back to school! Challenge accepted!

    Reply
  51. MEG Kenworthy says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    So excited to get started! I need it with four little destroyers running around my house!

    Reply
  52. AMy says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    I have no clue how to organize. Papers are my nemesis and I have a garage full of stuff from two estates that I have no idea how to process. Thanks for the challenge and the chance to win the book.

    Reply
  53. Becca says

    August 7, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    Oh my word you read my mind. If this really works I will love you for life 😉

    Reply
  54. julie says

    August 8, 2015 at 6:42 am

    Need all the help I can get…found a cardboard box full of mail from the 1990s! SMH, it seems to be a never ending battle.

    Reply
  55. Jill says

    August 8, 2015 at 7:16 am

    Count me in!

    Reply
  56. Regina says

    August 8, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Never been able to keep my house clean no matter how hard I try. Last hope…..

    Reply
  57. Cindy H says

    August 8, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    We have 4 young children, all under the age of 7, and I am hoping to achieve a sense of peace by ridding ourselves of so much useless stuff. I find myself getting upset and stressed with my kids and husband and it usually boils down to clutter. We also spend any spare time we have as a family picking up toys and arguing over electronics. I want to raise grateful children that remember their mom and dad spending time with them, not money.

    Reply
  58. DaEzha W says

    August 8, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    I am so excited to start this challenge. A little over an hour ago, I was having this exact conversation with my mother about not truly cleaning up and the frustration I feel with a disorganized home. Tired from cleaning,dusting, REARRANGING, God directs my meandering on Pinterest to the answer I needed all along.

    I truly look forward to this challenge!
    I can’t wait for 8/24!!! 😀

    Reply
  59. Pat Anderson says

    August 8, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    crazy!! Just this week my office manager for our business asked me if I’d heard about this book. I checked it out and thought, “Hmmm, maybe I’ll have to try yet another organizational book!” You see, I’ve homeschooled for 18 years and I love books so you can only imagine the enormous amount of stuff I am trying to cram into every nook & cranny!! I’m sure the paraphernalia that I am collecting is mushrooming during the night and spreading its clutter throughout my home! I’m tired of trying to organize ‘stuff’. I need help tossing the spreading infection right out of my house!
    Today – just two days later, Pinterest answers my cry for help as it leads me to your sight (which intrigued me because of the name of your website more than the pin itself!!)
    So in advance – thanks for climbing this mountain together with me! Now off to peruse your website……

    Reply
  60. Jody Hagberg says

    August 8, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    My life has been one of constant organizing. I’d like to finally feel that my house is not overwhelming me! 🙂

    Reply
  61. JEnn weber says

    August 8, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    Excited to start this process!

    Reply
  62. Meegan says

    August 9, 2015 at 12:03 am

    You’d think moving several times in the last 14 year of marriage would mean we pack and travel and live light, out of necessity…. But nope!
    As a family of 5 (6 if you include the dog!) we just have too much STUFF. It’s annoying and I want to be free from clutter and things that aren’t useful or pleasing.
    This book sounds absolutely perfect and a great starting and finishing point.
    So, if I don’t happen to win the competition, I will go out and buy this book!
    Mx

    Reply
  63. Sarah says

    August 9, 2015 at 5:03 am

    oh I’m so excited to start!! I have recently gotten back into working full time and it will be wonderful to get my house clean and have it stay clean!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

    Reply
  64. Katie says

    August 9, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Excited

    Reply
  65. Pat says

    August 9, 2015 at 11:36 am

    This is just the motivation I need to get started on my house – we’ve been here for almost 30 years, so it’s definitely time!

    Reply
  66. Linda says

    August 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    I am excited to get started!

    Reply
  67. Jennifer says

    August 9, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    HELP!!! I’ve got seven kids and I’m…*gasp*….drowning…*glub*…in… *gurgle*…clutter…!!!

    Reply
  68. callY says

    August 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Having a large family it is difficult to keep up on everything, especially because my kids are home 365 days a year. We homeschool so as a stay at home mom I don’t get the hours a day break to just clean, clean, clean. It sure would be great to get the clutter down so we have more time as a family.

    Reply
  69. Halley Pikers says

    August 11, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    I also just bought and read this book. I have already gone through my home and tidied it all up! The systems in the book really do work. You have it written word for word in here in your post. The book is inexpensive so it is accessible for everyone.

    Reply
  70. Melissa Howell says

    August 11, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Thanks for the testimonial, Halley! So great to know from someone who has tried it that it really works!

    Reply
  71. olivia says

    August 12, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Just ordered my book!!

    Reply
  72. Linda says

    January 24, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    Thank you for the challenge… We are retired and tired of the clutter from too much accumulated “stuff” after living more than 40 years in the same home. We are excited to reclaim our happiness and peace of mind that comes from clean and tidy surroundings!

    Reply
    • Melissa Howell says

      January 26, 2016 at 10:09 am

      Linda, so glad you found the challenge! It has made my life and my home so much better, and I would never go back to the way things were!

      Reply
  73. Yvonne Charles says

    April 1, 2016 at 12:25 am

    I will try ????

    Reply
    • Melissa Howell says

      April 2, 2016 at 9:42 am

      Yvonne, you can do it! Just take your time and go week by week. It works like magic!

      Reply
  74. Ashley says

    July 11, 2018 at 3:31 pm

    HI!!! I’m Ashley from Houston, found your blog and this challenge on Pinterest. I’ve been on a 10 year homeowner declutter marathon since Jan and I’m so excited to have found your challenge. I know it was first initiated years ago, I feel good that I’ve taken several of these steps already but need to further purge items..Most importantly I need to purge the idea of going room by room…Hence why I have one room that is the catch all room for everything I never want to throw away..(read:paper!)..

    I’ve shared your blog, and the book with several friends, hopefully that will join me on this challenge. Either why, I’m ready to get going. I’ve already made multiple trips to the Goodwill over the past several weeks, excited to let go of even more that doesn’t bring me joy.

    Can you send me the checklist, I’ve subscribed.

    Thanks

    Ashley

    Reply

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Hi, Im Melissa!

I help women like you create a beautiful life and home through the magic of cooking, the thrill of home organization, and the joy of discovering your personal style. Read More

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