Lenten Promise Challenge

house_elf

Hi, we don't usually listen to the Sunday Service on Radio 4 as DH doesn't like it, but last Sunday I was in the car on my own and listened to the service from Bar Convent about Order and Disorder.

I really liked the idea of doing someting positive for Lent, rather than giving something up. It suggested:

'Reflect on where in your community
there is disorder, mess or pointless
waste. Identify one thing (such as a
litter-picking day) where you could
make a difference by spending time
clearing up or reducing the waste and
commit to doing it as a project as part
of a Lenten promise.'

I have reflected.......... and decided that I shall make a difference to the 'disorder, mess and pointless waste' that is our house! I will tackle a decluttering task every day for Lent.

This will give me my weekends back, make our family environment nicer to live in and make me happier. It will not cost any money, I can donate stuff to charity and may even generate some cash if I can sell stuff on EBay!

So, Day 1, Ash Wednesday, I have cleaned the hamsters cage. This is usually a weekend chore, but as we were away this weekend, it did not get done. The hamster is happily rebuilding her house as I type!

This is a gentle start, as it has been a long day at work. However, I have big plans and will record my progress here. (It's in black and white now. I have to do this!:rotfl:)

ChocClare

Nice idea, house elf. My DD came home from school with a little card for Lent which says, pray, fast and do good to others. We are definitely accentuating the last one I think, and are trying to think of ways to do good to others - and that could well start at home by making the home a nicer place for other family members to live in!

This is a very supportive community on OS (another way to do good to others), but we are definitely going to try and think of ways to support the community, local and not-so-local and pay it forward for Lent.

Best of luck with your challenge!

beemuzed

Lovely idea - and so much more positive than the old "give something up" idea. My house is crying out for an increase in order...I may just have to join you!

esmf73

Can I join in please? Have vowed to get on top of my clutter and house mess, decided to be happier with my life and not wish for things I stand no chance of getting!! Plan to get myself into shape (means I'll be less stressed with the kids! - nicer mum!) and will volunteer more at the PTA.

Am giving up alcohol and chocolate! For a whole 40 days!!!!!!

castri09_2

i love this challenge i would like to join i am also giving alcohol up for lent as well
yesterday i sorted the dvds out and started to put some stuff on ebay no alcohol as well
today put some more stuff on ebay and sort out cupboards in utility room

house_elf

Thanks for your support Folks! I wasn't really expecting anyone else to be interested. It was more a note to self, but some company on this challenge would be very welcome:T

Castri ans esmf - Well done on giving up alcohol! I'm not that brave!

ChocoClare - Aiming to clear the dining room over the next couple of days so we can have friends over for a meal at the weekend. In a small way we can 'pay it forward'.

bemuzed - come and join in!

Have a lovely day. HE x

beemuzed

Thank you! Extra impetus this morning - have just been chatting on skype with one of DH's cousins in Oz, and they are coming to stay in July! That really does mean I need to declutter with a vengeance. They have entertained us several times but this will be their first UK visit. Today I am determined to sort through a couple of plastic crates of "stuff" stored upstairs and will at least reduce it by half.
As to looking around in the wider community - am organising a big cleaning party this w/e to clear up the mess left by the builders who have been working in the church! Thanks for this challenge house elf - I should be able to shift a lot of clutter in six weeks!

sixlittleimps

I'm in. I vow that by the time Easter comes round I will have cleared the clutter of paperwork, made decisions on all the things that should be sold or donated and dealt with all the random oddments I have acquired or just put to one side. I will also go back to monthly meal plans and figure out what I can bulk buy and store rather than buy little supermarket packets of, my life would be a lot more ordered if I had stores of rice, flour etc.

Thanks so much for posting the challenge house elf, even if you didn't see it as a call to arms.

[Deleted User]

What a brilliant idea I have a 'to-do' list thats as long as your arm and my friend just emailed me a pattern for my youngest DGS teddys trousers that he want me to knit for him.
I have 44 squares of blanket to sew together in the next week to finish off a throw that I have been making it feels since 'Adam was a lad' It consists of 90 squares in every type of stitch you could think of I am determined to get it finished by the end of this week.Then I will knit Mikeys teddy some strides as I have promised since before Christmas.I am on a roll this has spurred me to get some of my 'to-do' things actually done
(G&T's and chocolate is off the menu until Easter as well) :):)

house_elf

Evening Peeps

JackieO I have been working through the mending pile tonight. Very satisfying seeing it decrease for very little effort. I can start work on some of the more interesting sewing projects once all the trousers are mended! Good luck with teddy's trousers!

sixlittleimps - I know just what you mean about the random oddments. DS2 has suggested I clear the kitchen table of all the random stuff and 'Tut'. I wasn't up to that tonight, but I did reorganise the under sink cupboard. I haven't managed to throw anything away, but if anyone has a suggestion about how I can use up 4 bottles of carpet shampoo I'm interested! (The only carpet we have left is on the stairs and it may take us some time to use it up :rotfl:)

Thanks for joining in bemuzed. Your clean up party is an inspiration! I should look to the wider community too. Perhaps I will make the effort to have a good clear out of my classroom at school. :eek: That will scare the kids!

Happy decluttering! HE x

[Deleted User]

No shopping to get today and I won't be going out again until late Sunday afternoon so I am going to see how many of the blanket squares I can get down today.Just a pottering day today catch-up t.v. and my sewing/knitting.Big pot of tea by the side of me and some rich tea biscuits .Doesn't take a lot to make me a happy bunny I'm really cheap :):)