Happy Monday! · Made Whole

Happy Monday!

We have 19 days left in July, which means 19 more bags to fill in our One Bag Declutter Challenge!

At some point, you might think, "Surely I'll run out of things to get rid of." Maybe you will...maybe you won't.

For me, resetting our home is something I intentionally try to do every year. Things slowly creep in. We buy something because it serves a purpose in that season, and before we know it, it's collecting dust on a shelf or tucked away in a closet, no longer serving us.

I try to live by the idea that everything in our home should have a purpose or a function. Am I perfect at it? Absolutely not. But it's something I continually work toward.

Every season of life brings changes, and with those changes comes the need to reassess what we're holding onto. That's completely normal. What served your family five years ago may not serve you today.

That's why making decluttering a regular habit isn't just good for our homes—it's good for us.

As the name of my business says, Made Whole. Being made whole isn't about achieving perfection. It's about continually growing and improving the areas of our lives that God has entrusted to us—our homes, our health, our relationships, our communities, and ourselves. When we become hyper-focused on one area while completely neglecting the others, things eventually become out of balance. And when life gets out of balance, chaos has a way of creeping in.

The beautiful thing is that none of this has to happen all at once.

We're all in different seasons of life. Three years ago, I could dedicate an entire day—or even a whole week—to decluttering. Today? That's just not realistic. Between work, family, and everything else life requires, I'm often running from one responsibility to the next.

So instead of feeling discouraged by what I can't do, I've learned to focus on what I can do.

While I'm doing laundry, I'll grab a few things from the basement that no longer need to be there.

While washing dishes, I'll finally toss those chipped or cracked mugs.

While folding towels, I'll set aside the worn-out ones that have seen better days—even the ones the guys won't use around the farm anymore!

They're small tasks, but they add up. One bag at a time really does make a difference.

And here's my favorite part: I'm not doing this alone.

These bags in the picture? They came from my boys cleaning out their desk areas yesterday. I didn't tell them they had to do it. They saw me clearing things out and decided to join in. Kids are always watching. More often than not, they'll follow what we model.

So don't feel like you have to carry the entire load yourself. Get your family involved. Let everyone take ownership of the spaces they use. It won't happen overnight, but over time your home becomes more peaceful, more functional, and easier to maintain.

Eventually, everything really does begin to have a place...and that's a wonderful feeling.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. This is called the One Bag at a Time Challenge for a reason. It's meant to fit into real life—not add more stress to it. Slow, consistent progress is still progress.

I'll leave you with this question:

What benefits have you noticed—mentally, physically, emotionally, or even spiritually—when you've taken the time to declutter your home?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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Happy Monday!