40 Bags, 40 Days Challenge

I learned about this challenge over at Faith & Family Live a couple of years ago and have wanted to incorporate into my Lenten sacrifices ever since. This is the year!

What is the "40 Bags, 40 Days Challenge"? Basically, for each day in Lent (Sundays don't count!), you commit to throwing out/donating 1 bag of items you don't want/use/need anymore. In essence, a physical 40 day purge of your household. Added bonus? Your Spring Cleaning will be finished by the time Easter arrives!

I've divided my home into 40 areas (because I am a list-maker!) so that I have a definitive plan-of-attack every day. I've posted my list below, if you'd like to get an idea of how I'm attempting to tackle this challenge. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay on track and not transfer some of my mess from one area to another!

In addition to the "40 Bags", I'm also giving up Facebook for Lent for the 3rd year in a row. And, every Easter I wonder why I'm going back to that time-waster... Maybe this will be the year where I also learn how to temper my excessive need to use Facebook as a way to avoid household chores. Maybe not.

So, what are you doing for Lent this year? Giving up sweets? Saying a few extra prayers every day? In the past, what has helped you get into the true Lenten spirit? Is your family participating as a group, or is it "every man for himself"?

Here's to a blessed and beneficial Lent for all of us!

My 40 Day List:

1) "Phonebook Cabinet"

2) Book Cabinet in dining room

3) Lunchbox cabinet & 1st Aid Cabinet

4) Front hall coat closet

5) Girls' Dresser and changing table

6) Medicine cabinet and 1st floor bathroom sink cabinet

7) Medicine cabinet in kitchen & spice cabinet

8) Play-doh/plastic bag cabinet

9) Big boys' closet & dressers

10) Little boys' closet

11) All hanging clothing in basement

12) Front hall junk closet

13) Large wall cabinet in kitchen

14) Junk drawer and "lids" drawer

15) Little boys' dressers

16) Toy cabinets in dining room

17) Toys/arts-n-crafts in girls' room.

18) Gift card & battery cabinet

19) Glassware cabinet

20) Clothing bins

21) White cabinet in Master bedroom

22) Jewelry box

23) China cabinet drawer

24) Toy bins in basement

25) Toy bins in basement, part deux

26) Big drawers (lids, etc) in kitchen

27) Entertainment center

28) Laundry room shelf

29) Basement fridge and deep-freeze

30) Kitchen fridge

31) Food cabinets

32) Kyle's dresser

33) My dresser

34) Downstairs bathroom closet & sink

35) DVD collection

36) Linen closet

37) Holiday shelves

38) TV area in basement

39) Dining room table/computer desk

40) "Store" in basement