We’ve had a little break and now it’s time to begin month two of our simple and free challenge. I know a lot of you out there wanted nothing to do with eating 7 foods for an entire month, but are still interested in the other 6 challenges. Well, now is the time to get on board. Today, we are beginning the clothes portion of our challenge. If you are interested in joining our little simple and free council, please message me and I will add you to our group text. If you did month one and want out, also please message me and I will remove you from the group. We don’t want anyone to have to endure our daily messages if they are no longer interested.

Okay, so what does the clothes portion of the challenge entail? Well, in Jen Hatmaker’s book, Simple and Free, she chose 7 items of clothing, excluding socks and undergarments, and only wore those items for 4 weeks. Again, just like last month, each of us gets to decide how we want to proceed. This challenge will end on Sunday, June 13th.

Wearing only 7 items of clothing definitely will give you perspective on what you have and what you actually need. Some of us in the group have decided to do this challenge without modification and we will be cheering you on. This month I have decided to do it a little different. My goal is to give away 7 items from our closets every day. This means that by the end of these 4 weeks I need to have a pile of at least 196 items to donate. I am going to start in my closet and move forward from there. I have given a lot away in the last year already, but I know there are plenty of things that haven’t seen the light of day in years, including accessories, shoes, coats, purses and bags. I am also going to count how many things I actually wear on a weekly basis. I don’t think it’s going to amount to as many as I think. The largest part of my weekly wardrobe is workout clothes. I wear them daily and honestly have more leggings than pants. I will be curious to see how many different items I actually wear over the 4 weeks.
I have purged my closet before, but this time it feels a little different. It’s as if I not only have permission, but I have been mandated to simplify and give away the things that I don’t need. I am not going to lie, there are things in my closet from 1993. I also know there is a sweater from the 80’s, but that gets worn, so I am keeping it. Don’t judge me and no, you can’t borrow it. 

My hubby told me recently that I had hoarding tendencies and it hurt. Honestly though, it’s true and I need to prove him wrong because I can’t let him think I am going to start stacking newspapers around the house creating a maze to and from each room. Okay, it’s really not that bad. I am a neat hoarder. I keep my junk in drawers, cabinets and closets so as not to appear that I am a hoarder. Wait, maybe I am a secret hoarder. 

Recently, I started purging my kitchen cabinets and drawers and it has been life changing to open the cabinet where I keep my cookbooks and not have 45 things fall onto my head. I know that “possessions” are next month’s challenge, but I just couldn’t stop myself one day. If one kitchen cabinet gave me such joy, imagine what a houseful of decluttering could do. It feels freeing just thinking about it.

Anyway, unlike last month’s challenge, I cannot wait to begin the purge. It feels exciting and liberating and long overdue. I can’t wait to see my pile at the end of the month. 
We will keep you posted on our progress and if you decide you want to join, just let us know.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,
Lowi & G