Along any decluttering journey, including this one, you have to rely on your brain to make good choices. But brains can’t be trusted. Your brain is going to try to convince you that you need things you don’t need. And for that reason, you’re going to have to trick your brain if you want to … Read more
Whatever time you have to dedicate to decluttering, there might not be a better target with a higher return on investment than the bathroom. Any amount of time you can dedicate to streamlining your bathroom storage will pay you back times ten when it comes to making it easier to get ready in the morning, … Read more
Small tidying sessions go a long way towards keeping your home in a state of clutter-free calm. But decluttering is about more than knick-knacks and old t-shirts: Almost everyone has a “black hole” of storage at home that’s absolutely stuffed full of possessions you’re unconsciously hanging on to. I can’t tell you what that space … Read more
By far the hardest thing to declutter is the sentimental stuff. I mean… there are a lot of feelings attached when you’re considering whether or not to let go of a cold-press juicer, so of course those emotions come out ten-fold when we’re talking about a treasured hand-me-down or an old gift from a good … Read more
The environment you fall asleep in certainly has an impact on the quality of the rest you get. And who couldn’t use a better night’s sleep? The hard part is finding the right routine, the most comfortable temperature, the best lighting, and a perfectly soft (or firm) mattress. The easy part — comparatively — is … Read more
The first time I sat down to craft this program (formerly called the September Sweep), I wrote about how much I struggle with paper clutter around my home. Well guess what? I still struggle with paper clutter around my home. It just goes to show that all of the motivation, knowledge, and strategy in the … Read more
Value statements aren’t just for startups. The right words, in just the right order, can speak to your soul and help you heal all manner of bad habits or patterns. Now that we’re halfway through this decluttering project, I thought it might be a good time to take a break for reflection. Today, we won’t … Read more
What’s your signal that it’s time to declutter? For me, it’s when my supply of things is overflowing the space I’ve dedicated for them. It happens in the kitchen, when I run out of space to store my coffee mugs. It happens in the junk drawer, after I’ve tossed so much junk in there that … Read more
If you’re overwhelmed by the messy state of your home, my best advice is to start small, and start with wherever it is that you spend the most time. For many people, that’s the living room. We’re going to hit many rooms and many categories of clutter in this two-week decluttering challenge, but I want … Read more
When you have too much stuff, decluttering is the answer. But it’s not the solution. A better choice would have been to go back in time and avoid bringing home that thing entirely. Now, that’s not advice that works for everyone (I mean, besides the time machine part). Sometimes the things you’re decluttering are things … Read more