The Big Experiment

About three weeks ago I proposed an experiment to my two young daughters. Despite having decluttered their shared room many times, it still felt cluttered. I proposed that they let me do an extreme decluttering session and give them a "new" space to live in. I had some ideas of how to rearrange the furniture and redecorate using things we already have so it would feel like a new room. And my hope was that the new surprises would hide what was missing from their room

I promised that I would not permanently get rid of what I removed from their room, and, if they missed something they could ask for it by name and I would return it.

They agreed.

Immediately I sent them outside and filled a large rubbermaid container with stuff. I was a bit amazed at how quickly I was able to fill it. I didn't have enough time to rearrange or redecorate the room, but having cleared out quite a bit of clutter was nice.

Later in the week, after much discussion, we decided to let one of the girls move out of the shared room and let them try having their own rooms.

This was not part of my plan (at all) and really forced me to rethink 50% of our space.

Instead of just clearing out a large amount of kids' clutter, we gave away a love seat and are able to get rid of a small tv and dvd player.

What I thought would be an experiment for my girls turned out to be an experiment for myself.

And the girls have only asked for one thing from that rubbermaid container.