Welcome to the 5th annual A Bowl Full of Lemons Home Organization 101 Challenge. Over the next fourteen weeks, we will be challenging ourselves to conquer clutter and get our homes in order. We will weed through the paper piles, mountains of clothing, and bins of toys, donating as much as possible so that we can take back our homes. You don’t have to live in clutter anymore. It’s up to you to make this change. So what are you waiting for?
Prepare ahead of time. The challenge will begin on Saturday, January 9th. To prepare, print out the free schedule and checklists below. Stock up on trash bags, boxes and bins. Finally, cook a few freezer meals ahead of time, so that you can concentrate on the challenge.
Get the companion book to the challenge. If you’re a book lover like me, you’ll love my brand new guide that goes along with our challenge, The Complete Book of Home Organization. It contains hundreds of organizing ideas and tips on how to get your entire home (big or small) in order. It includes all 14 challenges (plus a bonus challenge). This is a great reference guide that will help you along the way. You can use it year after year.
Choose an accountability partner. Don’t go through this alone. Ask a friend or family member to join you. Hold each other accountable. Conquer the clutter together. If you have a blog, invite your readers! Make it a fun event.
Share your progress. If you need extra encouragement to keep going, join my Home Organization 101 Facebook group. We will be participating together, sharing photos, struggles, and inspiration. If you’re on Instagram, our challenge hashtag is #2016abfolchallenge. If you’re sharing on social media, tag me so I can see your accomplishments. My Instagram handle is @abowlfulloflemons.
Subscribe for updates. To receive updates and challenge emails, subscribe to my blog here.
Joining Late? If you’re late to the game, that’s okay. Begin on the current week and catch up on the missed spaces when you can. You can even go at your own pace. Do what works for you!
Spread the word. Let others know about the challenge by pinning this post, sharing on Instagram, and posting on your blog. Let’s get everyone involved.
Print out the complete 14 week schedule and checklists below. There are 2 sizes to choose from. Add them to your planner or hang on the fridge.
2016 Home Organization Challenge Schedule
- Week 1 (1/9/16) – Kitchen
- Week 2 (1/16/16) – Pantry
- Week 3 (1/23/16) – Dining Room
- Week 4 (1/30/16) – Launch Pad
- Week 5 (2/6/16) – Living Room
- Week 6 (2/13/16) – Master Bedroom
- Week 7 (2/20/16) – Master Closet
- Week 8 (2/27/16) – Kids Closets
- Week 9 (3/5/16) – Linen Closet
- Week 10 (3/12/16) Bathrooms
- Week 11 (3/19/16) – Office
- Week 12 (3/26/16) – Playroom/Toys
- Week 13 (4/2/16) – Laundry Room
- Week 14 (4/9/16) – Garage
- Week 15 (4/16/16) – Car (Bonus Week)
Now that you’re all set up and ready to go, relax for the next couple of days. You’re going to be putting in a lot of hard work. You’ll need the energy. I’ll see you on Saturday.
Tags: 2016 Home Organization Challenge
2016 Home Organization 101, 2016 Home Organization Challenge, Blog, Organize Posted in
51 comments
51 comments on “2016 Home Organization 101 Challenge”
If I’m getting your new book , I don’t have to print out the challenge , correct ?
I thought I read that the challenge is in your book .
That is correct. 🙂
Very excited to begin this. We renovated and moved into an old farmhouse house last year to downsize and simplify. The downside is that there is hardly any storage! Looking forward to doing this and seeing everyone’s ideas and progress!
I can’t wait to get started! going to oder your book today!!!
& thank you for doing this challenge <3
You are probably already aware, but your links have been disabled due to too much activity. It looks like there are lots of people interested in this challenge! 🙂
Refresh the blog post. I updated the links.
what kind of planner(notebook)do you have?
When I attempt to print the challenge schedule, I receive a message saying that due to large amount of traffic, the page has been disabled. Help!
Refresh the blog post. I updated the links.
I’m getting an error that links for the checklist are getting too much traffic and have been disabled.
Refresh the blog post. I updated the links.
DropBox has disabled the download links for too much traffic…? :/
Refresh the blog post. I updated the links. 🙂
Ah! Thanks very much! 🙂
I cant wait to join this however when I try to join the facebook group, i saw that it’s a closed group. How do we join?
You have to request to join there on the FB page.
I didn’t see a “join group’ button. Is there a way i can request to be added in 🙂
I invited you via your email. 🙂
My copy of the book just arrived yesterday! I love it! I am starting my kitchen this weekend!!! I had to start with utilizing my planner and organizing all my tech before I could tackle my house. 🙂
How do I get the weekly newsletter via email? I did the challenge last year and really loved it. Much more my style than Konmarie. Thank you for that. I have the book, but need all the support I can get!
Subscribe to the blog (top right corner). 🙂
I also want to get the weekly newsletter by email. I have suscribed already this afternoon, as you say, but I haven´t received anything yet.
When will I received it?
Thank you, very much!
You only receive emails when there is a new blog post. They go out at 7am. 😉
Toni so glad to be a part of the organization challenge of 2016. I will not be able to keep up with the schedule, due to working, health issues and selling my parents home and having my Mother and Father in law in assisted living totally dependent with dementia. We are the only family to care for all these issues.
One of my big issues is keeping paperwork for 3 families in working order. Our home and the homes of our parents. We keep things here because of need to use and getting the homes ready for sale.
I look forward to the encouragement. Any advise on the paperwork for 3 families is welcome. Also I have tried to subscribe to your newsletter and I have not gotten any results. If you can direct me I would appreciate it. Thank You Darlene
Darlene! I am also caring for 3 households because of a parent in assisted living (slight dementia) and older “special” brother. FreedomFiler is a great way to organize my paperwork and you may want to check out USLegalForms! I hope this helps! Keep up the good work and ask God for wisdom!
Toni,
After the organization, will there be a spring clean challenge coming? It will be easier to clean with less to clean.
I am ordering the companion book tonight or tomorrow. Can’t wait for it to come.
Darlene
Possibly. 😉
Would love to read your book to keep me on the road to organisation & motivatation just like Nikki has. I have followed so many of her tips & tricks & have the beginning of a clutter free, calm home. Here’s hoping your book will keep me on the same track. Thank you xxx xxx xxx
Looks like the links are still not working or went down again. I guess that is a good problem to have. 🙂 I will try again later.
Can’t wait to start this again this year, really enjoyed last year’s challenge and some areas won’t need much work to orgainse this year! The link is not working again though so have been unable to print the schedule and checklist (book not available in UK till February:-( )
I believe the online store book depository has it now with free shipping. 🙂
Unable to print off the checklists, error message says website not available
Refresh your browser. I updated the files to google docs. If you are not on google docs, it needs refreshed. 🙂
What does Launch pad mean for week 4?
Does the free shipping include to nz?
Just going through the 14 week schedule and noticed “launch pad”. What on earth is a launch pad?
Its a place in your home where you keep your keys, purse, calendar, backpacks, family schedule, etc.
Toni,
Since I have been following my house is getting “emptier.” I mean this in the happiest way! I think about what I want to buy and I find myself always wanting to fix the clutter. I am needing some maintenance after the holidays. Is it (cleaning/de-cluttering) really easier over time. I found a routine that is working, just want to make sure it isn’t to good to be true.
Your book is supposed to arrive tomorrow…..I am so excited.
Is there a way to download the list? I am a recovering paper hoarder and I would rather have it on my tablet.
Its a pdf file so Im sure you can keep it on your computer.
I’m so excited to start! I always love your organization challenges!
Hi Toni, I was wondering if the book also contains the 31 Purge Days project.
No it doesn’t.
Thank you for the .pdf’s, they’re lovely! Just printed & anxious to start. I also just ordered you book, SO excited for you!
Hello, the “Join” button on your FaceBook page does not seem to be working, please add me.
I was invited to join the challenge and group by a friend and will be starting the challenge with her this weekend 🙂
Thank you!
Book Depository – the free shipping is worldwide
A friend of mine started your challenge and give me the motivation to try it by myself.I started at 11th this month, not from 9th. I’m happy with the results already and will definitely try to execute it till the end. I managed to read almost all of your publications in this website and would like to say a big THANK YOU! Your projects are easy to follow and your writing motivates me.
YAY Im not too far behind! 🙂
So Glad I’m checking this out.
Michelle
I’ve been following your blog since you started. We had started our blogs about the same time. Your 21-Day Challenge inspired me years ago to get back into my organizational ways & I thank you for that. I have since lost my way again, so I am back following your new challenges.
I recently wrote a blurb about your blog on mine, here: http://housewise-triks.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-bowl-full-of-lemons-is-all-about.html
Thank you, Toni. 🙂
First year doing the challenge and very excited! Thanks for the checklists, very helpful!