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Tackle It Tuesday Update – Are You Getting Ready?

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This is raw, blogging vulnerability.

Some publish intimate details about their personal lives on the internet – but I am going to do something far more terrifying to me. I am going to photograph and publish the very corners, closets and piles of clutter and chaos in my house that I am most ashamed of – the very places I work so hard for no one to ever see.

Why? – Because I need some blogging incentive to get back in control of my house. And because I want to celebrate together the little steps of victory as other Tackle It Tuesday participants and I tackle each project, one by one.

Since I started blogging this spring, I have let things get of control and now it is time to get some order back in my life. I am going to tackle these many projects that are sucking the joy from my life. (They really are. I am not an organized person by nature, but when things are cluttered and crazy, I start to lose my mind too.)

A warning: for those of you compulsively tidy and organized people the images that I will share over the next weeks may be disturbing. I apologize. Hopefully it helps ease your pain to know that I am trying my best to tackle it.

So – are you joining us? Everyone is welcome! I need all the support and fellow tacklers as possible to help me through these difficult times.

Let’s have some fun and celebrate our accomplishments together as we Tackle It Tuesday.

Tackle It Tuesday UPDATE

For many years we ran the Tackle It Tuesday weekly blogging link up. It was such a great inspiration to get us cleaning.

But, we’re sorry to say that we no longer host this weekly blogging carnival.

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334 Comments

  2. I finally Tackled my first Tuesday project. The kids’ room! We got rid of some toys, old shoes, and cleaned a lot!
    Thanks for the motivation!

    Reply

  3. I want to say thank you so much for two reasons!

    One, because I REALLY need to tackle the ick in my house but it’s all so overwhelming. This is a great incentive.

    Two, because you made it so simple to join this meme! I have only been blogging about a month and I have tried to join several memes only to be frustrated and give up because I don’t yet understand the whole “pingback” and “linky” thing. So thank you, thank you, thank you for your step-by-step explanation!!!

    Reply

  6. I tackle the morning madness by NOT using the stove for breakfast. My daughter and I find it more convenient and time saving to trade in the “eggs n bacon” for cereal and fruit. We either do cold cereal with some fruit or “minute” oatmeal with chopped berries or yogurt and fruit. We leave the hot breakfasts for the weekends. Plus the weekend breakfasts at home are so much more special. Time saving in the morning is key for our family.

    -Rachel

    Reply

  7. Thanks for making it fun to tackle the ugly jobs!! I am off to the girls’ room now. If I don’t check in within the hour, please send help!!!!

    Reply

  11. I just joined your Tackle it Tuesday meme! I am tackling my weight and this meme is a good way to keep me motivated each week with diet and exercise.

    Reply

  15. I have been doing the before and after pictures for several weeks. It helps to remind me what I want that area of my house to look like, and so I do not allow it to go back to how it was. Life gets busy sometimes..and I think I will pick up XYZ later, or clean something later. If I just ‘do it now’ then it is done and I do not have to think about it.

    Reply

  17. What a neat idea, no pun intended! I wish I could participate in Tackle It Tuesdays, but I am OCD about cleaning so I don’t have any projects to tackle. I did my spring cleaning in the winter – best of luck to all of you!

    Reply

  20. I live in a pretty small home for the five of us and there is NEVER a shortage of laundry. So today, I am going to tackle and finish ALL my laundry and fix up all the closets. I might need more days……

    Reply

  25. I just ran across your site and I love this idea…hmmm there’s SO MUCH to tackle, where does one start???

    Reply

  26. Do you have a smaller Tackle it Tuesday button option?

    I would like to start posting a project next week and have the current button posted on my blog but part of it is cut off.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  27. Ooohhh! I’m in!!! I definitely want to make this a weekly habit. I’ll post my update by the end of the day with the linkback and logo. Look out closet here I come!

    Reply

  28. I tackled the cabinet under my bathroom sink with the CLR. It turned out great. I should have done it sooner. Thank the CLR company for the great sample! I love cleaners that work great and this one definitely did. Getting samples to try sure help in learning what great products are out there and I love to spread the word on something that works!

    Reply

  32. No project is too small even if it’s only to write the ‘to do’ list just so that you can tick off the first item that you’ve already completed.

    Or maybe that’s just me?

    Cheers

    Reply

  33. Hi! I know it’s barely Tuesday but I tackled about petulance/ irritability in my blog today that some might find it useful as I also have a link there for a personal Hormonal Health Profile which I think is very useful. I hope everyone visits. Cheers!

    Reply

  35. I want to do this, but it may have to wait a week or two. My family and I just moved to Germany and I am awaiting my household goods to arrive…yes, then I will have lots to tackle!

    Reply

  36. I just discovered Tackle It Tuesday & LOVE IT! I will be participating as often as I can! Thanks 5MinutesforMOM

    Reply

  37. I just put my first tackle it tuesday up on my blog last night. Now that I have more time on my hands, I’ll be able to participate weekly! Its such a great idea.

    Reply

  38. I’m here to participate Tackle it Tuesday meme. I do have lots of projects that i really like to accomplish but have hard time managing my time. I’m a working mom and trying to balance everything in and out of our home.

    Reply

  39. Want to talk about tackling a project? Clean my bathroom. It makes th ecat box look devastatingly clean. The worst part is cleaning out all that toxic stuff from under the toilet without gagging! Ew! Ew!Ew! The tub and sink are easy thanks to my best friend Bon Ami. Use this on eveything and wipe with those Mr Clean magic sponges. They’ve helped me get through a lot of after shower messes.
    Does anyone else have a messy bathroom problem?. Apart from plastic wrapping the whole room how do you deal with it? I have to clean mine every two days. This is a major tackle.
    Liz

    Reply

  42. This is a great idea an incentive for blogging and doing house chores! I am joining the bandwagon! I have posted my first Tackle it Tuesday on my blog.

    Reply

  43. What a rush to finish a project in less then one hour! I am already planning for next week! Good times my friends!

    Reply

  45. I can’t believe I have stumbled across this site…I spent the day last week making photgraphs of my “unfinished and neglected” business. Thank you…I’ll be joining your tackle it Tuesday this week !!! Also, I had no idea about the “auto fill” button..thanks Susan

    Reply

  46. woo hoo I completed my tackle it tuesday! The after pics are up. Thanks this was really fun participating in this!

    Reply

  48. I was wondering if we could have a smaller version of the banner? The large one wouldn’t fit down the side of my blog, and I would love to have one up.
    Blessings,
    Tracy

    Reply

  49. Thankyou for all the wonderful inspiration from your site, I love it! This is the first time I have participated in tackle it tuesday and I am looking forward to it!

    Reply

  50. I like the cool new logo.
    :0)

    I finished last week’s tackle (the huge, ugly, laundry pile) as well as this week’s…my first digital scrapbook page! 🙂 Yah…this week’s was way more fun.

    Reply

  51. This is my first tackle project. I decided to tackle all those papers that I keep putting in plastic containers to keep them off the counter. It will probably take the whole week to deal with it!! Wish me luck!

    Reply

  56. The Serendipitous Life has joined Tackle it Tuesday with my first post about finally turning our mudroom/entry into a welcoming place.

    Reply

  59. I just came across this site and this idea of Tackle it Tuesday! I am so excited to join this Tuesday ritual to tackle project and become a better person. Thanks

    Reply

  60. Hi, I’m just her to tell you that I’m deleting the Tackle It Tuesday Blogroll now, so you can take away the info about it.

    I’ve gone through the whole blogroll now and there were not many left in it when I was done taking away all the inactive links or blogs without displaying the blogroll. Less and less choose to use it too, so no use to have it.

    I’ve been around to the ones that still had it and told them about it and that “The Tackle It Tuesday Meme is carrying on as usual over at 5 Minutes for Mom, just not with a blogroll”.

    Thanks for all the good Tackles, they were so good that I don’t have anything left to tackle 🙂

    Reply

  61. Just joining for the first time, love the idea. Today the “tackle” in question is to put out the Christmas decorations and pick up the fall ones. Big job……………thanks for the push………Kitty

    Reply

  67. I could write a book on all that I need to tackle! I’m starting on my living room per/my husbands request. It is the first room people see…so it makes sense. Plus, it is the most disorganized! I’d like my home to be relaxing. Motivation enough!

    Reply

  68. Trying to start my first organization project – getting my personal blog up and rolling. 🙂

    Seriously, I’m in the midst of a Tackle it Tuesday experiment. Does anyone else have a pantry that has taken on a life of it’s own? Perhaps something falls on your head everytime you remove a can of soup? Or maybe your husband is spatially-challenged like mine? If there is a container for his belongings – all of his belongings will be outside of it; resting nicely on the counter or the floor. Screaming at me. 🙂

    My experiment? I spent a small fortune at Target buying bins for virtually every closet or cabinet in my house in an effort to keep all those half used containers of God-only-knows-what in some logical order. I’ll keep you posted if this actually works without complete anarchy in my household.

    Reply

  69. I need this accountability! We are re-roofing our house, adding gutters, storm doors, and re-doing every room in our 13 room, 100 year old house! Can’t wait to see what others are doing!

    Reply

  73. I am Tackling something this Tuesday for the first time! I went to my mom’s house and helped her clean. It was a quick once over, but it always feels great to relax in a clean house! Great motivation.

    Reply

  78. this is my first time. omg i am a clutter queen. why in the world did i lose count after the 5th sponge under my sink?—please pray for me. thank you 🙂

    Reply

  79. I’m not really sure if I am doing this right or not, it’s my first time. I don’t have any pictures but I have been doing some unexpected cleaning-out today. I realized this morning that one of my diamonds was missing from my anniversary ring! I’ve been going nuts all day, scared my 10 month old will pick it up and eat it, or my two year old will get a thrill of seeing it spin around the toilet, as she does a lot of things! Singing….. “round and around and around you go….round and around and around you go……where are you, I’ll never knowww” Anyways, thought this may make someone else feel better about their day. Wish me luck! If I ever get these two down for bed, I will tear this house apart and maybe, if I have any bit of luck at all, I’ll find my diamond!!

    Reply

  82. I am excited to participate in Tackle It Tuesday. You should not be afraid to post pictures of what you have hidden…even the most neurotic cleaners have spots they want to hide from the world. I, on the other hand, am a horrible housekeeper and hope that Tackle It Tuesday will be an inspiration. I have my eye on a big white desk that needs organizing. Thanks and good luck to all.

    Reply

  90. I don’t know how I arrived on this page, while going through Wordless Wednesday, but I very much like the idea and got already the banner code. I will also get the blogroll from Mrs Lifecruiser.

    Reply

  91. Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.

    Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own developmental level.

    The Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers for parents and other caregivers:

    * Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It’s okay to admit you can’t answer all of their questions.
    * Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don’t get too technical or complicated.
    * Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will try to hurt you.
    * Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of tragedy.
    * Pay attention. Your children’s play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture. It’s an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions, and give reassurance.
    * Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel safer.

    If you are concerned about your child’s reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community mental health center.

    Reply

  92. This is my first time participating in this. I saw this today on Stray Thoughts and it got me in gear to tackle a project. Thanks for giving me a push!

    Reply

  94. I started a blog seperate from my family blog for my blogrolls and such so you can check it out tomorrow! I have my tackle it Tuesday all set! 🙂 This is so fun!

    Reply

  95. I have seen this on so many blogs and I’ve been sucked in! There is so much that needs tackling around my house and there just isn’t enough time to do it.. so tackling one big thing a week sounds like a great plan! Count me in from now on!

    Reply

  96. You’ve inspired me. Anyone have any cliff notes on how I can post my before and after photos?

    I tackled the pantry. I am totally embarrassed to say I found 10 sippy cups. Kick me now.

    Reply

  97. Is this possible.. What a great idea.. I am going to do this.. once I get a new digital camera.. I need all the motivation I can get!

    Reply

  99. might be a little late in the game……..but I’m in, cos there are far too many corners in my house that are ‘my dirty lil secret’!!!!!!!!

    Reply

  102. I jumped in for the first time today. I’ve been wanting to tackle the “Art” cabinet for a while, but it was such a mess. This really got me going. Thanks! You won’t believe the transformation.

    Paula

    Reply

  103. This is the first time I have participated. I like the idea of choosing a single task each week to accomplish.
    Liz

    Reply

  104. What a great idea! I’m willing to bet there are more women like us – the not so perfect and willing to admit it types – than the ones who are super organized. My problem is that there are not enough hours in the day to tackle all the things i would like to do. I work full time and I’m a mom of a 11 yr old and a 2 yr. old. That should say it all. However I hate to make excuses and I definitely need all the help i can get. i’m going to join the Tackle it Tuesday starting next week and I’ll let you know what I decided to tackle first. Ciao

    Reply

  107. I keep meaning to do it, but then Tuesday comes and well, I just don’t feel like DOING anything 😉

    Reply

  108. Janice,
    I love your site!!! As a newbie blogger and Mom your site is refreshing. I have a few “tackle it tuesday” projects that are begging for completion…thanks for the encouraging words.

    I would like to link back to your site – the http://stratbiz.wordpress.com is blog is dedicated to all with an entrepreneurial spirit. From stay-at-home Mom’s wanting to generate revenue without a 9 – 5 commitment, to business warriors conquering a niche market. We are dedicated to providing nuggets of information based on real life stories, reviews of business ideas, business strategies tips, and the latest trends.

    We will always leave you with a word of encouragement, challenge and inspiration.

    Thanks for this refreshing moment –

    Best

    Candyce

    Reply

  109. I’m SO ready to start this!!!!! It will be a great incentive to check out everyone’s accomplishments and help me figure out where to begin!!!! Thanks Janice for the blog!

    Reply

  110. i am DEFINITELY joining in! i have downloaded the graphic and will be checking back here each week!

    Reply

  113. OH I am soo excited Janice! You got me tackling soo much! I find that once I clean one area, the things needed to put away need to go into an area I need to clean as well!!! Today, getting ready for tomorrow, I cleaned out my closet, my son’s closet, cleaned off my fabric shelves, and I have a pile of at least 4 bags that I have posted on free cycle, and threw out 3 bags of trash too! :O I am amazed and excited! LOL Can we share more than one area? You sparked my cleaning, I feel like I am nesting again! ACK…thank God I cant be preggo! 😀

    Reply

  114. I have been wanting to do this for so long to get certain things done but afraid to post pictures fear of someone having a heart attack! LoL…..but if you’ll do it I’ll to it to! Yayyy!!! Can’t wait!

    Reply

  115. So great ladies!

    Yes I started tackling my project last night. The “tackling” doesn’t have to happen on Tuesday – we can just show off our results on Tuesday. Well – I better get back to work – I will show it off tomorrow morning!!

    Reply

  116. Well – I’ll be joining your – I have taking the before picture and now am working on the after picture (I hope I don’t break the rules to tackle today on my day off). ‘See’ you tomorrow :smile:.

    Reply

  117. Janice, I so love this idea! I’m just having trouble which project I’ll chose.

    And I love the graphic! 🙂

    Reply

  118. I am soo excited to join in…

    Who are some of the other members so that I can include them in my post?

    Reply

  119. I have a lot of things things that I need to tackle at my house…. I feel like I’ll never catch up with it all…

    Reply

  120. BE NOT AFRAID, Oh Great Leader of Tackle It Tuesday!!!
    The piles of clutter & chaos that pervade the nooks & crannies of thy home shall be a great inspiration to us all!

    Mom2Fur…who has an eye on her crammed and messy freezer.

    Reply

  122. Janice, I’ve saved the logo already and will definitely participate in this one 🙂

    I have SO many projects I want to get done in the house, the first one is actually tomorrow, my son just turned three and we’ve finally convinced him to sleep in his own room, so we’re setting it up for him tomorrow, adapting from little baby to big boy. Can’t wait to start and can’t wait to take pics. 🙂

    Thanks for such a great idea 🙂

    Reply