40 Days of Decluttering Challenge & Giveaway!!

You don't have to be Catholic to observe Lent. I've observed Lent since I was a teenager. To put it very simplistically, each year for the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, you "give up" a vice or something in your life as a "sacrifice" to remind you of the sacrifice that Christ gave by dying for us on the cross. For instance, if you give up ice cream, every time you want a bowl of ice cream; instead, you reflect on Christ's sacrifice and it should prompt you to feel gratitude, blessing, etc. Some people use it as a time to pray for others, etc. Lenten is a very personal time.

Each year during Lent for the past few years, I've given up time on social media except for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. I also give up the dreaded Dr. Pepper. Some people don't give up anything, but add to their life. During the Lenten season they may spend more time in prayer, in volunteering, etc. It doesn't matter, the purpose is to get rid of "self" and reflect on others and on Christ.

This year, I wanted to do something more than my usual that I've done for the past few years, and was wondering what to do. Many of you have seen this challenge. It came across my NewsFeed when my sister in law posted it, and I thought "aha! This one is for me!" Nessa Sprock (see her FB page here )started it, and it has gone viral. No wonder!! It's awesome!! You can combine the best of so many things about the Lenten season. Focusing on others, bettering your life, and SPRING CLEANING!!!

I decided to make it a challenge and blog about it for forty days and each day show what I've decluttered/cleaned and in the process hopefully give some helpful Spring Cleaning tips; cleaning product recipes; and blog about things I'm learning, and how this process is helping someone else - more than the proverbial "one man's trash is another man's treasure!"

The cool thing is that I've been given a few neat things to giveaway to a lucky subscriber at the end of the forty days. I'm so excited to be able to do this!! Especially since I'm just starting the big blog journey!! So, let's get cleaning, decluttering, and help others in return!!

Here's the giveaway (Enter to win here):

1. Roomba vacuum (valued at $275);

2. smart living Steam Jr, (valued at $50); and,

3. an introductory kit of Essential Oils (valued at $35).