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- I joined a decluttering challenge and got rid of 496 items in a month. I made a point to not throw anything in the trash. (businessinsider.com)
Ohio Author’s Viral Decluttering Challenge Inspires Thousands to Ditch the Clutter
Columbus, OH – What started as a personal quest to simplify her home has blossomed into a viral sensation for Ohio-based children’s book author and mom, Mesha Griffith. Griffith’s unique decluttering challenge, shared on social media, has captivated audiences and inspired a community of individuals eager to tackle their own overflowing spaces.
Griffith, author of The Bedtime Mantra, considers herself a minimalist and has long embraced the practice of shedding unnecessary possessions. Her annual tradition of a 30-day decluttering challenge took a new turn in December 2025 when she decided to share her journey with her Instagram followers. Building on an idea from The Minimalists podcast, the challenge originally involved discarding one item on day one, two on day two, and so on, culminating in a significant purge of 496 items by month’s end.
However, a follower’s suggestion to draw a random number each day to determine the number of items to purge injected a fresh, gamified element into the December challenge. This creative twist not only kept Griffith accountable for consistent social media posts but also heightened engagement from her burgeoning online community.
“One day, I looked around the house and said, ‘We have too much stuff’,” Griffith recounted, explaining the initial spark for her decluttering endeavors. Despite years of previous purges, Griffith found she still had plenty to sort through. “All of our stuff was once money, and I just started seeing everything as dollar signs,” she explained, recalling one day when the original cost of items she discarded totaled $400.
Griffith emphasizes that even mindful consumers can accumulate clutter. “I’m more aware of the things I’m buying and bringing into my house, but even we have clutter,” she noted, citing the common issue of collecting paper – from expired insurance cards to instruction manuals readily available online.
The comment section of Griffith’s viral videos quickly transformed into a supportive community. “Every day since this went viral with my decluttering videos, I have had people waiting to see what number I’d pull the next day.
I didn’t want to let those people down,” Griffith shared. Participants began undertaking their own challenges alongside her, finding inspiration in her daily posts.
While early questions often focused on specific counting rules, Griffith offered a broader perspective: “I’d tell them not to focus on that – it counts because it’s causing you anxiety, stress, or agitation.”
Griffith was also meticulous about the fate of her discarded items. “Throwing stuff away was never an option,” she stated.
She actively sought new homes for as many items as possible, utilizing platforms like Facebook Marketplace for quick sales. If an item didn’t sell promptly, it was swiftly donated to thrift stores, free pantries, or specialized organizations.
For instance, towels and blankets found a new purpose at the Columbus Humane Society, while building supplies and working appliances were directed to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
Having seemingly run out of her own possessions to declutter, Griffith doesn’t foresee another personal challenge this year. However, she expressed a keen interest in extending her expertise to others, stating, “I would love to help either a family member or a friend declutter their home.”