Ready to commit to a clutter-free home this year? Let’s get going!
HEY! ⏰ If it’s December while you’re reading this, you still have time to join the New Year Declutter Challenge. But you have to do it soon, because enrollment closes soon! 🍾
What is 2026 in 2026?
2026 in 2026 is an annual declutter challenge we’ve hosted for years, where challengers aim to declutter 2,026 items before the end of the year. That might mean decluttering 5-6 items per day, 40 items each weekend, or 300 items in January then 1,726 in November and December (guilty).
However you want to break up the work is up to you, but the end goal is to have 2,026 fewer items in your home by the end of 2026. It’s a big challenge, but people do it every year, and they LOVE it!
Users call this system “hugely satisfying” and “a real motivator”! If you’d like to give it a go, great news: The tally chart is free! You can grab it below.
2,026 in 2026 tally chart PDF download.
Download your tally chart for free:
How to participate in the 2026 in 2026 decluttering challenge.
First, download your tally chart and print it out. Every time you declutter an item, mark off a box. Strive to mark them all before the end of the year.
That’s it! But if you want to get a little deeper into it, here are a few extra rules, guidelines, and tips that I’ve collected from our wonderful community and my own experiences.
Challenge customizations and tips.
1. Make a list of categories
Focusing on one thing at a time can actually help you accomplish much more. Instead of wandering your house and picking at random items (which also works!), you can focus in on one category and declutter as much as you can there before moving on.
Here are a few suggestion categories to get you started:
- Office supplies/paperwork
- Decor
- Toiletries
- Hair and skincare supplies
- Shoes
- Outerwear and winter gear
- Toys and games
- Gardening and yard care
2. Count other challenges
If you end up doing a Decluttering Scavenger Hunt, a monthly MinsGame, or one of our community decluttering challenges, count those items decluttered to your 2,026! It’s not cheating—it’s progress!
3. Set a space limit to avoid decision fatigue
One easy way to up your numbers with LESS effort is to set a space limit for a category, choose your favorite items until it’s full, then ditch the rest.
Here’s why this works: You’re not making a decision to get rid of EVERY item. Instead, you’re making fewer decisions to elect your favorite items. When the designated space for that category is full, you can get rid of the rest of it without making individual decisions on them.
It’s a LOT easier.
Here’s an example—I love cute mugs. Without a system, my kitchen would be overflowing with mugs. And how many do I realistically need? Maybe five, tops? How many friends am I pouring coffee for at a time?
So I set a limit. I have one shelf in my cupboard for mugs. If I get a new one, that means an old one has to go so they’ll still fit comfortably.
When I decluttered them, I chose my ABSOLUTE favorites until the shelf was full, then letting go of the rest was a ton easier. Give it a go!
4. Use this flowchart
Here’s another freebie for you—the decluttering decision flowchart makes it EASY to make decisions. Just follow the yes-or-no flow until you arrive at your answer. This removes the mental effort and separates the choice from some of the less relevant emotions. It really helps.
5. Use a color system
Use different colors of markers or pens to get specific with your tracking. If the whole family is participating, give each of them their own color! If you’re focusing on different areas or categories, maybe swap color when you’re bouncing between them.
This just breaks up some of the monotony and keeps the challenge fresh throughout the year.
Here are a few examples from our Facebook community.
Fawn marked hers with dates as she went and whatever pen she had on hand–and she finished!
Whitney shared this one back in March, and I had to go find it to show y’all because it’s the tidiest thing I’ve ever seen:
Some users do stamps or stickers, some scribble, some dot–use whatever method you find motivating!
Make 2026 the year you finally get the clutter-free home you dream about.
It’s time. This is YOUR year. Let’s finally clear out all the stuff that’s been holding us back so we can move toward the future we truly want!
Maybe getting rid of that physical clutter will make way for real change–inside and out.
Happy decluttering!
