10 Day Challenge
10 Day Challenge
Welcome to the #homesanctchallenge
This ten day home wellness journey has helped many wellbeing conscious individuals foster a new sense of connectedness to their space. Many have fallen in love with their homes for the first time, others rekindled a joy that had been dwindling.
Whether this challenge is your annual new year’s tradition, or you are taking the challenge for the first time, there is so much to get out of it.
Throughout the process, I encourage you to inspire others to do the same by sharing your progress on social media and tagging us @homesanct
Best of luck.
DAY 1: MAKE YOUR BED
Refold a drawer of your choice. If you haven’t used the "KonMari" fold method before, you are in for a treat!
STEPS →
Don’t just pull up the covers, actually make the bed properly as if you had your mother coming to stay! Plump up the pillows and tuck your sheets in properly.
Not only will making your bed help your bedroom feel instantly more decluttered, but it means that come this evening, you’ll get to experience that lovely feeling of climbing into a freshly made bed.
*GO FURTHER*
Already a serial bedmaker? Turn your attention to the floor, clearing away stray items and folding up any clothes that have been left lying around.
A clear floor will make the space feel calmer, reducing your stress levels and aiding in the ease of sleep. The bonus of a tidy bedroom is that you will also set yourself up for the following day as you wake up to a tidy room in the morning.
*Resources*
At Home Sanctuary we believe that the set-up for a quality sleep starts in the home, so to help you catch more Z’s for longer we have dreamt up our favourite Sleep Sanctuary night-time rituals.
Check out our Your Sleep Sanctuary Night-time Rituals blog.
Not only will making your bed help your bedroom feel instantly more decluttered, but it means that come this evening, you’ll get to experience that lovely feeling of climbing into a freshly made bed.
*GO FURTHER*
Already a serial bedmaker? Turn your attention to the floor, clearing away stray items and folding up any clothes that have been left lying around.
A clear floor will make the space feel calmer, reducing your stress levels and aiding in the ease of sleep. The bonus of a tidy bedroom is that you will also set yourself up for the following day as you wake up to a tidy room in the morning.
*Resources*
At Home Sanctuary we believe that the set-up for a quality sleep starts in the home, so to help you catch more Z’s for longer we have dreamt up our favourite Sleep Sanctuary night-time rituals.
Check out our Your Sleep Sanctuary Night-time Rituals blog.
DAY 2: GET FOLDING
Refold a drawer of your choice. If you haven’t used the "KonMari" fold method before, you are in for a treat!
STEPS →
For beginners, we suggest starting with simple items like t-shirts. Watch our "How To KonMari Folding Techniques" videos to see how it’s done.
Don’t forget to take a ‘before’ photo of your drawer before you start!
*ADVANCED OPTIONS*
If you’ve already been folding your clothes vertically for a while, then move on to one of the options below.
1. Arrange your clothes by colour, lights at the front of the drawer, darks at the back.
2. Fold your underwear. It deserves to be stored properly just like your other clothes! In fact, we suggest using shoebox lids for socks and jocks, they fit perfectly. Watch the video to see how.
3. Plastic bags. Yep! Let’s go there. We all know that they’re terrible for the environment, but let's use the ones we have. Fold them in thirds as you would a t-shirt, tuck the handles in, and store them standing up in a small container under the kitchen sink.
*SHARE*
Show us your folding skills by posting your ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots using the hashtag #homesanctchallenge. Don’t be shy, we want to see the transformation!
*GO FURTHER*
Declutter as you go! Don’t refold items you don’t enjoy wearing, donate them instead. If you need some help click the EXTRA button below.
Don’t forget to take a ‘before’ photo of your drawer before you start!
*ADVANCED OPTIONS*
If you’ve already been folding your clothes vertically for a while, then move on to one of the options below.
1. Arrange your clothes by colour, lights at the front of the drawer, darks at the back.
2. Fold your underwear. It deserves to be stored properly just like your other clothes! In fact, we suggest using shoebox lids for socks and jocks, they fit perfectly. Watch the video to see how.
3. Plastic bags. Yep! Let’s go there. We all know that they’re terrible for the environment, but let's use the ones we have. Fold them in thirds as you would a t-shirt, tuck the handles in, and store them standing up in a small container under the kitchen sink.
*SHARE*
Show us your folding skills by posting your ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots using the hashtag #homesanctchallenge. Don’t be shy, we want to see the transformation!
*GO FURTHER*
Declutter as you go! Don’t refold items you don’t enjoy wearing, donate them instead. If you need some help click the EXTRA button below.
DAY 3: WHAT DOES 'HOME' MEAN TO YOU?
You can’t start a home wellness journey if you don’t know where you are going. Understanding what your ideal home looks and feels like is an important first step in working towards your home sanctuary.
STEPS →
Think about the home you want to create.
*YOUR YASK*
Write down what you love about your home. What things are you most proud of? Is there a particular room or aspect you love the most?
*Writer’s block?*
What you love can be physical, emotional or stylistic attributes. Feel free to think about other spaces you’ve loved too, whether it’s a historic museum, a friend’s cosy kitchen, or a hotel room with soft lighting and gold trim which made you feel like you were in a Parisian daydream.
*RESOURCES*
Goal setting is a great way to get clear on what we want and need.
*YOUR YASK*
Write down what you love about your home. What things are you most proud of? Is there a particular room or aspect you love the most?
*Writer’s block?*
What you love can be physical, emotional or stylistic attributes. Feel free to think about other spaces you’ve loved too, whether it’s a historic museum, a friend’s cosy kitchen, or a hotel room with soft lighting and gold trim which made you feel like you were in a Parisian daydream.
*RESOURCES*
Goal setting is a great way to get clear on what we want and need.
DAY 4: DECLUTTER YOUR BAG OR WALLET
Whether it’s your handbag, gym bag, or briefcase, it’s very likely that you’re lugging around some stuff you don’t need.
Old receipts, a muesli bar you’ve had for weeks (but never eat), and maybe even the keys to the side gate you never use.
Old receipts, a muesli bar you’ve had for weeks (but never eat), and maybe even the keys to the side gate you never use.
STEPS →
Your task for today is to clear it all out. Completely empty your bag and wallet and get rid of anything that you can’t see yourself using in the immediate future.
And be honest with yourself – will you really use all those things you carry around?
How often do you chip a nail that you absolutely have to file before you get home?
Will you go back to that cafe for that seventh free coffee?
And what about all those retail membership cards? You might find you never shop at some of those stores.
There are no rules to this process, just be honest with yourself!
*GO FURTHER*
Switch to an electric wallet like StoCard (link in the button below). This little baby has reduced the weight of so many of my client’s wallets, it’s a must-have.
*SHARE*
Show off your tidy skills and share ‘Before’ and ‘After’ snaps of the contents of your bag! Or the number of cards you have decluttered because they are now on StoCard.
And be honest with yourself – will you really use all those things you carry around?
How often do you chip a nail that you absolutely have to file before you get home?
Will you go back to that cafe for that seventh free coffee?
And what about all those retail membership cards? You might find you never shop at some of those stores.
There are no rules to this process, just be honest with yourself!
*GO FURTHER*
Switch to an electric wallet like StoCard (link in the button below). This little baby has reduced the weight of so many of my client’s wallets, it’s a must-have.
*SHARE*
Show off your tidy skills and share ‘Before’ and ‘After’ snaps of the contents of your bag! Or the number of cards you have decluttered because they are now on StoCard.
DAY 5: KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR FRIDGE
Food waste is a BIG climate change contributor. In fact, if food waste was a country it would be the third-highest emitter after China and the USA!
The emissions from wasted food are worse than those created by flying.
The great news is, getting organised reduces your carbon footprint!
The emissions from wasted food are worse than those created by flying.
The great news is, getting organised reduces your carbon footprint!
STEPS →
Your task for today is to know exactly what is in your fridge.
Check bottles and jars for their expiration dates and discard anything that can no longer be used. Condense items if you can (three open pickle jars can become one!). By reducing the number of items, you’ll improve energy efficiency, and by reviewing what you have you will be better placed to use things up, reducing potential food waste.
*GO FURTHER*
Clean as you go! Wash shelves and walls. If you’re really on a roll, move on the freezer, making sure everything is fit for consumption, easy to access, and properly labelled.
*SHARE*
Show off your kitchen and share ‘Before’ and ‘After’ pics of your fridge. Don't forget to tag @homesanct
Check bottles and jars for their expiration dates and discard anything that can no longer be used. Condense items if you can (three open pickle jars can become one!). By reducing the number of items, you’ll improve energy efficiency, and by reviewing what you have you will be better placed to use things up, reducing potential food waste.
*GO FURTHER*
Clean as you go! Wash shelves and walls. If you’re really on a roll, move on the freezer, making sure everything is fit for consumption, easy to access, and properly labelled.
*SHARE*
Show off your kitchen and share ‘Before’ and ‘After’ pics of your fridge. Don't forget to tag @homesanct
DAY 6: "ME" TIME
We are over halfway through the challenge now, so take today to sit back, relax and admire what you have done so far.
We are all busy, and it’s so important to take time for ourselves, turn our phones off, and take some “me” time.
We are all busy, and it’s so important to take time for ourselves, turn our phones off, and take some “me” time.
STEPS →
Even if you have a busy day planned, try and block out some time for yourself to enjoy your home sanctuary.
But most importantly, do something that brings you joy and helps you celebrate life, whether it’s exercise, reading that book you’ve been putting off, or playing with your kids.
*GO FURTHER*
Buy yourself flowers. Not the on sale close to dying ones, select a bunch that will lift a room. Choose a colour and fragrance with your sanctuary in mind. If you are lucky enough to have a garden take a stroll and create your own bouquet. This is your day, add as much colour as it needs.
*SHARE*
A photo of what you are doing today to celebrate life!
But most importantly, do something that brings you joy and helps you celebrate life, whether it’s exercise, reading that book you’ve been putting off, or playing with your kids.
*GO FURTHER*
Buy yourself flowers. Not the on sale close to dying ones, select a bunch that will lift a room. Choose a colour and fragrance with your sanctuary in mind. If you are lucky enough to have a garden take a stroll and create your own bouquet. This is your day, add as much colour as it needs.
*SHARE*
A photo of what you are doing today to celebrate life!
DAY 7: BRING A LITTLE HYGGE INTO YOUR DAY
You may have already heard of the lifestyle concept hygge (pronounced ‘hooga’).
The idea of this Danish obsession is to create a cosy atmosphere through soft lighting, comfortable furnishings and delicious, home-cooked food.
Your task, therefore, is to find a way to bring a little hygge into your day.
The idea of this Danish obsession is to create a cosy atmosphere through soft lighting, comfortable furnishings and delicious, home-cooked food.
Your task, therefore, is to find a way to bring a little hygge into your day.
STEPS →
*HOW TO HYGGE*
Start by switching off the TV and if possible, your phone and laptop too. If it is summer where you are, it might be a little harder to achieve that ‘cosy’ feel, but even on warmer days you can still light a few candles, throw open the windows to let in the fresh air and decorate your home in flowers. If you are in winter, your weather is ideal!
No matter where you are if you can, turn one of today’s meals into a celebration. Enjoying nourishing food and conversation over a meal shouldn’t just be a holiday thing! Set the table, use those napkins tucked away for special occasions and get out your favourite china. You could even set up dinner in the backyard to make the most of the weekend, or take a picnic to your nearest park. If you live alone take the opportunity to create a special meal for yourself or invite a couple of friends over for a chilled night in.
Happy hyggeling!
Message us on Facebook, Instagram or via email to let us know how you are going with the challenge and to ask any questions you might have.
Start by switching off the TV and if possible, your phone and laptop too. If it is summer where you are, it might be a little harder to achieve that ‘cosy’ feel, but even on warmer days you can still light a few candles, throw open the windows to let in the fresh air and decorate your home in flowers. If you are in winter, your weather is ideal!
No matter where you are if you can, turn one of today’s meals into a celebration. Enjoying nourishing food and conversation over a meal shouldn’t just be a holiday thing! Set the table, use those napkins tucked away for special occasions and get out your favourite china. You could even set up dinner in the backyard to make the most of the weekend, or take a picnic to your nearest park. If you live alone take the opportunity to create a special meal for yourself or invite a couple of friends over for a chilled night in.
Happy hyggeling!
Message us on Facebook, Instagram or via email to let us know how you are going with the challenge and to ask any questions you might have.
DAY 8: DECLUTTER YOUR INBOX
Today we are going to tackle an annoying area - digital. Your task today is to aim for nothing! Nothing in your inbox that is.
STEPS →
We all know that heavy feeling of knowing we’ve got a backlog of unread emails to sort through.
Just like with any other kind of decluttering and storage process, the ideal inbox will vary from person to person. Anyone, however, can benefit from less unread emails stacking up, and more time away from the computer.
*How to declutter your inbox*
..see day 8 email
Just like with any other kind of decluttering and storage process, the ideal inbox will vary from person to person. Anyone, however, can benefit from less unread emails stacking up, and more time away from the computer.
*How to declutter your inbox*
..see day 8 email
DAY 9: DECLUTTER PHOTOS
When was the last time you scrolled through the photos on your phone and appreciated every single last one? We’re guessing not very recently!
STEPS →
Our digital clutter is growing, and you may have thousands of photos on your phone, and many more on your laptop, not to mention in photo albums. Imagine though, opening your phone and at a glance seeing just the ones you love, not 1000s you can’t appreciate.
*YOUR TASK*
Delete some of the photos not bringing you joy. Make a goal to declutter a certain number – whether it’s 50, 100, 200, or 500. It is unrealistic to try and declutter them all in one day.
*GO FURTHER*
Empty a physical photo album (yes – take all the photos out) and put back only those you love and enjoy looking at.
*SHARE*
A photo you found that brought back happy memories! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #homesanctchallenge
*YOUR TASK*
Delete some of the photos not bringing you joy. Make a goal to declutter a certain number – whether it’s 50, 100, 200, or 500. It is unrealistic to try and declutter them all in one day.
*GO FURTHER*
Empty a physical photo album (yes – take all the photos out) and put back only those you love and enjoy looking at.
*SHARE*
A photo you found that brought back happy memories! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #homesanctchallenge
DAY 10: USE A SENTIMENTAL ITEM
If you’ve recently done a big declutter, you likely came across a few items which you have been holding on to for sentimental reasons, but which never actually get used.
Your final task for the challenge is to find one of these sentimental items and use it.
Your final task for the challenge is to find one of these sentimental items and use it.
STEPS →
Do you avoid bringing out the special china in case it breaks? Is that expensive candle gathering dust because you simply can’t bear to use it up? What about that beautiful item of clothing you are saving for a ‘special occasion’ that never actually seems to arrive? These items were made to – and deserve to – be used!
Today we challenge you to use a sentimental item. Open a delicious bottle of wine and use the ‘good’ glasses. Organise a date night and get dressed up in that special outfit, or if you don’t want to head out, take it out of the wardrobe and hang it on the back of the door so you can admire it for a few days.
*GO FURTHER*
Give a sentimental item a new home. Sentimental items are the most emotionally highly-charged objects we own. Often they bring us the most joy but we tuck them away for preservation. Is there an item you love but never see? Can you give it a new home? Or just bring it out for a week to enjoy?
Today we challenge you to use a sentimental item. Open a delicious bottle of wine and use the ‘good’ glasses. Organise a date night and get dressed up in that special outfit, or if you don’t want to head out, take it out of the wardrobe and hang it on the back of the door so you can admire it for a few days.
*GO FURTHER*
Give a sentimental item a new home. Sentimental items are the most emotionally highly-charged objects we own. Often they bring us the most joy but we tuck them away for preservation. Is there an item you love but never see? Can you give it a new home? Or just bring it out for a week to enjoy?
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Share a snap of your daily challenge and inspire others to live simply with less. Add #HomeSanctChallenge & tag @homesanct on FaceBook, Instagram or LinkedIn. The more joy, love and home wellness devotion the better.
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We can only see your posts if your social media profile is public. SO if you want to enter the competition on a private profile you will need to send us a private message on Facebook or Instagram.
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