The “Just Get Rid of It” 75-Day Decluttering Challenge: 10 minutes a day. 75 days. Less stuff. More space. No overwhelm.

Nobody’s perfect. Shocking, I know! But while that may not be a revolutionary idea, it does mean that everyone has at least a little room for self-improvement. I always strive to find ways to be a little better, so a few months ago, when I was offered the chance to join a summer accountability group, I dove right in.

The way it worked was that each person in the group chose three things they wanted to complete at least five out of seven days each week, and we texted the group when we completed them. The goal was progress over perfection.

I have to admit that, with my unpredictable summer schedule, I could have done a better job sticking to my goals. But having that group kept my goals front and center, and I personally drank way more water and wore a lot more sunscreen than I would have otherwise!

Everyone in the group found the accountability so helpful that we decided to start again with a fall challenge beginning September 1. So, piggybacking off that idea, I am inviting you all to join me for a guided 75-day decluttering challenge.

The premise is simple: Declutter one small category each day.

You don’t have to overhaul an entire room, you just have to make one little area better. I’ll outline the whole plan here, but I’ll also follow up weekly on Instagram and Facebook (@makingspacewithlily) to help keep the challenge front of mind!

The Rules

1. Set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, you’re done.

2. Don’t organize what you don’t need. Decluttering comes before organizing.

3. Don’t create a “donation room.” If it can leave the house today, let it leave.

4. Progress > perfection. Miss a day? No guilt. Just pick up where you left off.

5. You don’t have to finish the category. The goal is to make progress, not empty your entire closet.

So, without further ado, here are your categories!

Week 1: Kitchen Quick Wins

1. Junk drawer

2. Kitchen counter

3. Junk mail pile

4. Expired coupons

5. Takeout menus

6. Your everyday bag/purse

7. Car center console

Week 2: Bathroom & Books

8. Bathroom counter

9. Makeup bag (be sure to check expiration dates!)

10. Bathroom products

11. Medicine cabinet (again with the expiration dates!)

12. Reference books/textbooks

13. Outgrown children’s books

14. Magazines/periodicals

Week 3: Clothes

15. Socks

16. Underwear

17. Pajamas

18. T-shirts

19. Workout clothes

20. Jeans

21. Sweaters

Week 4: Accessories

22. Shoes

23. Handbags

24. Accessories

25. Jewelry

26. Coats & jackets

27. Scarves, hats & gloves

28. Clothes that need tailoring or repair

Week 5: Kids

29. Kids’ socks

30. Kids’ shoes

31. Outgrown clothes

32. School papers

33. Stuffed animals

34. Broken toys

35. Random treasures from pockets/backpacks

Week 6: Hobbies

36. Art supplies

37. Artwork

38. Games & puzzles

39. Sports equipment

40. Outdoor toys

41. Collectibles/collections

42. Tools/home improvement supplies

Week 7: Kitchen Food

43. Pantry snacks

44. Spices

45. Expired pantry food

46. Baking supplies

47. Takeout condiments & disposables

48. Fridge door

49. Freezer door

Week 8: Kitchen

50. Water bottles & travel cups

51. Serving dishes

52. Kitchen gadgets

53. Plastic bags & reusable bags

54. Kitchen utensil drawer

55. Disposables

56. Coffee mugs

Week 9: Linen Closet & Cleaning Supplies

57. Cleaning supplies

58. Laundry supplies

59. Towels

60. Sheets

61. Blankets

62. Candles

63. Everyday home décor

Week 10: Digital Decluttering

64. Delete 50 photos

65. Delete screenshots

66. Unsubscribe from 10 emails

67. Delete unused apps & organize the remaining apps

68. Clean up your desktop

69. Delete old contacts

70. The dreaded cord box/drawer

Bonus Finale: The Final Push

71. CDs/DVDs

72. Seasonal décor items

73. Gifts for others (Gather them in one place and see if you can assign each one a recipient.)

74. The area that has been bothering you the most

75. Find 10 things you’re ready to let go of.

While this list is not comprehensive, it does a pretty good job of covering most of your home.

Even if you must skip a day here and there, if you follow along, your home will likely be at least a little bit lighter—and you’ll have made some extra space for the upcoming holiday season!

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Ten minutes a day may not seem like much, but 75 days of small, intentional decisions can make a big difference.

Tag me in your progress and if you have questions about how I tackle a particular category, or if you need help along the way, please reach out. I’m happy to help!