Declutter Bag Challenge: Clear Your Home, Clear Your Mind

The 2026 Declutter Bag Challenge: Clear Your Home, Clear Your Mind

If you are like me, the start of 2026 has felt a little bit heavy. Whether you’ve been battling that never-ending flu virus or just feeling the post-holiday slump, our homes often reflect how we feel inside. When my counters are covered in mail and my pantry is a jumble of half-empty boxes, I can feel my stress levels rising.

That is why I am starting the 2026 Bag Challenge. The goal is simple: fill one bag at a time until your home feels like a sanctuary again. We aren’t aiming for perfection in a single weekend. Instead, we are focusing on the “luxury of space.”

How the Challenge Works

The rules are easy to follow, making this very easy to start even if you are feeling low on energy. Your “bag” can be a grocery bag, a trash bag, or a box for donation. The only requirement is that once the bag is full, it must leave the house immediately. Don’t let the “donation bag” sit in your trunk for three months!

Phase 1: The “Low-Hanging Fruit” (Bags 1–5)

We start in the areas that require the least emotional energy.

• Bag 1: The Bathroom Cabinet. Toss the expired medicines, the crusty travel-sized lotions, and those old loofahs.
• Bag 2: The Junk Drawer. We all have one. Test the pens, toss the mystery keys, and get rid of the rubber bands that have lost their stretch.
• Bag 3: The Pantry. Since we’ve been talking about simple ingredients from scratch, you don’t need those expired “box kits” or stale crackers taking up space.

Phase 2: The Wardrobe Reset (Bags 6–15)

By mid-challenge, you’ll have the momentum to tackle the closet. In 2026, the trend is “Quiet Quality.” If you haven’t worn it in the last year, or if it doesn’t make you feel like the best version of yourself, it belongs in a donation bag.

Don’t forget the “Invisible Clutter”—the mismatched socks and the wire hangers from the dry cleaners that just tangle up your closet. Clearing these out creates a sense of luxury and calm every time you get dressed in the morning.

Phase 3: The Kitchen & Living Spaces (Bags 16–26)

This is where we get serious.

• The Kitchen: Look for those duplicate gadgets. Do you really need three sets of measuring cups? Keep the ones that feel good in your hand and donate the rest.
• The Living Room: Declutter the “decor” that you’ve stopped seeing. If it’s just a dust collector that doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.

Why This Challenge Works for You

The beauty of the Bag Challenge is the immediate gratification. Every time a bag leaves your house, you are reclaiming a piece of your peace. It’s the perfect companion to a “slow living” lifestyle. Imagine finishing a day of decluttering, tossing a Eucalyptus Shower Steamer in the shower to wash away the dust, and then sitting down with a bowl of homemade Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup. That is what 2026 self-care looks like!

Join the Challenge

I want to hear from you! How many bags can you fill this week? Are you focusing on donations, or is it time for a deep-clean trash haul?

Decluttering isn’t about having a “perfect” home; it’s about making room for the things that actually matter—like family dinners, fresh air, and a clear head. Let’s make 2026 the year we finally stop managing “stuff” and start living our lives.

Here’s a list of local places on the North Shore that would love to take your clutter donations

1. Emmaus, Inc. (Haverhill, MA)

Emmaus is a fantastic local organization that helps families and individuals facing homelessness. They often need clothing and household items.

• What they take: Gently used clothing, linens, and small household items.
• Link: Emmaus Inc. – Ways to Give

2. Ruth’s House (Haverhill, MA)

Located right in Lafayette Square, this is a staple for local donations. They provide clothing and training to people in need.+1

• What they take: Clothing for all ages, shoes, and small housewares.
• Link: Ruth’s House – Donate Items

3. The Clean River Project (Methuen/Haverhill Line)

If you find “junk” during your bag challenge that isn’t fit for donation (like scrap metal or certain plastics), these guys are incredible at cleaning up the Merrimack River area.

• Link: Clean River Project

4. Lazarus House Ministries (Lawrence, MA)

Just a short drive from Haverhill, Lazarus House runs “Thrift Stores with a Mission.” They are very organized and have a high impact on the Merrimack Valley.

• What they take: Clothing, furniture, and household goods.
• Link: Lazarus House – Thrift Stores

5. Big Brother Big Sister Foundation (Pick-up Service)

If you fill so many bags that you can’t fit them in your car, Big Brother Big Sister is the best “easy” option because they will come to your house in Haverhill to pick them up.

• How it works: You schedule a pickup online, leave the bags on your porch, and they handle the rest.
• Link: BBBS Foundation – Schedule a Pickup

Once you’ve dropped off your first few bags at Ruth’s House, come home and reward yourself with a warm bowl of my Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

Decluttering can be dusty work! I love to use one of my DIY Eucalyptus Shower Steamers after a long day of clearing out closets to help reset my sinuses.

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