Declutter Learning: Physical Spaces Day 0

aarmau@gmail.comOctober 31, 2018declutterlearning

It is here. The time has arrived. A few weeks ago I posted the following on my sidebar of my blog

Declutter Learning

“A place to connect with other educators to work to eliminate the unnecessary. Monthly challenges designed to be quick easy and habit building.”

Today is the launch of the November Challenge. We have a nice group of educators ready to make themselves better. I am so excited to see how this challenge changes our perspective of

  1. Our learning spaces
  2. Rethinking innovation in our learning space
  3. Mindset by eliminating clutter to see new possibilities
  4. Eliminating distractions of “stuff” that cause us stress and anxiety

We kick things off on November 1st and the month of November is all about decluttering our physical space in our classroom/learning space. I know that not all of you have a classroom per se, but you might have an office, a media center, and shared space, or maybe you just store everything in your car and wherever you have room in your house. I have two different paths of decluttering to choose from to help you feel successful. You will need to think about what option you are going to commit to making yourself better.

I have created a Facebook Group page where each day I will send you a reminder to eliminate your stuff. It will be here that you will post a picture of what you are trashing, selling, or donating. This is your accountability. A simple picture to make it happen.

I also have a few other things to share each week to keep you motivated and moving forward in your goals.

Here is the plan for the next few months so you can see what is coming your way.

  • November – Physical Declutter
  • December – Gratitude(declutter one negative by creating one positive)
  • January – Digital Declutter
  • February – Declutter of the Mind

What do I do now?

  2. Once in the group, there is a link to a Flipgrid for you to introduce yourself so we can get to know one another better!
  3. Take pictures of your space before you begin. Snap photos of the space in general, your drawers, cupboards, trunk of car, etc. Whatever your space is capture might be before you begin. You don’t have to share, but if you want to share for accountability and developing community in the group, then that would be awesome!
  4. Choose a path of decluttering(see below) and share on this post in the Facebook Group what you are planning to do!
  5. Set a Goal with FutureMe(see below).
  6. Prepare to begin November 1st!

Choose a Path: Declutter Pathways

Physical Declutter: Option 1: “1 A Day”

This option is to challenge you to eliminate one item a day. This will bring your total to 29 items as we will take a break for Thanksgiving Day to enjoy the day. Each day you must find one item to trash, sell, or donate. Your challenge will be to not shortchange yourself. I challenge you to go beyond tossing just a paper clip or something like that. However, if that is a real challenge for you, then you embrace it and be proud. There is no judgement on what we eliminate as we are all in different headspace and mindsets when it comes to our physical belongings.

Remember, this is for your learning space. If you want to do the same for your personal life, then that is fine, but only classroom materials count.

Physical Declutter: Option 2: Compound Effect

This challenge is a bit more of pushing your limits. I have done this one for my office at home and not only is it challenging, but if you stick with it you will be blown away by the difference it makes. I realize this might not be for everyone which is why I have two pathways. This challenge comes from the Minimalists website.

Each day you will increase what you throw away. One day 1 you will throw away 1 item. On day 2 you will throw away 2 items. On day 3 you will throw away 3 items.

You get the point.

We are breaking for Thanksgiving so this gives us 29 days and free pass on day 22. If you do this path, then you will toss out 443 items by the end of the month.

Set a Goal with FutureMe

You need to hold yourself accountable. Nobody can do it but YOU!

I want you to send yourself a message to be delivered on November 30th. Send yourself a message and a goal for this month. Write to your self about what you expect to see at the end of the month using FutureMe.

The site allows you to write a letter to yourself that will arrive . . . in the future. 

  1. Simple type a note (“Dear FutureMe”). 
  2. Select when you’d like it to go out — November 30th. 
  3. Click “Send to the Future.” 
  4. When that day arrives you will receive the message.

Set it for November 30th to see progress your success!

 

Why Declutter?

This is the question we will explore all month, but a few general ideas to help you cement your choices and dedication to this challenge.

  1. Less clutter = less stress. Think about how much time we spend organzing, sorting, putting away, cleaning, etc. If we have less, then we reduce the amount of time we pick up which frees up our calendar.
  2. Feel like a failure – This is something I struggle with. I buy something for a project and then life gets in the way and stuff just collects. Each time I see it I get anxious knowing I should do that project, but don’t have time. I create unnecessary stress by the physical reminders in my space.
  3. Old Vision does not allow for New Vision. Our big goal with decluttering our learning space is to help us see our classrooms, learning spaces, media center in a new way to allow innovation and engagement to occur. If we constantly see reminders of the past, then how can we create for the future?

FAQ

  1. Can I still join? Yes, come join theok Group page and knock out the steps posted above!
  2. What about the weekends? You don’t get a break on the weekends! I call the weekends our “Carryover Classroom” One these days you will work to declutter your car, bags, office, house, and anywhere else you stash stuff for your learning space. I know how it is so we cann’t lose momentum by not doing the work on the weekends!
  3. What happens if I don’t complete a day? Well, we will encourage you to pick back up where you left off. There is no grade or punishment. I believe the daily reminders and visuals of others will help us all stay committed to the challenge.
  4. Are you doing the challenge? Yes, I am going to do the challenge as well. I will share my plan on November 1st with the rest of you.

I look forward to meeting you over in the group and decluttering together!

Here we go!

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