Organizing and decluttering are two different things.
Really.
While “getting organized” is on everyone’s To Do List, it often gets pushed to the bottom. When I look at a space that’s overflowing with who-knows-what, I get overwhelmed.
Organizing is problem-solving. Decluttering is decision-making. Each is daunting. Together they can be too much.
If my goal is to organize, I head to the store for tubs and dividers and baskets. I dream about all my stuff staying neat and orderly for the rest of my existence.
But by the time I get home from the store, I’m tired. And someone needs help with homework and everyone needs to eat dinner. So I shove the baskets and boxes somewhere and leave them for another time.
And my home is even more cluttered than before.
Don’t get me wrong. Baskets are wonderful and Organized People use them. But separating organizing and decluttering into two separate tasks offers freedom.
Freedom to focus on getting rid of what I can’t handle. Freedom to not have to solve problems.
Freedom to not stress over finding an arrangement that will be a sustainable solution for my family for the rest of our lives.
Aaaaaahhhh. Permission granted to JUST DECLUTTER.
The beauty of separating these two tasks is that simply decluttering makes a space feel comparatively organized. Removing the unnecessary stuff gives living space to the things you do need. Really. It’s amazing.
I talk more about NOT getting organized in this podcast.
I’ve successfully decluttered my home thanks, in part, to your great advice. Here’s a tip for ongoing success: every morning when I walk into my closet, I challenge myself to find one item – however small – to toss/donate. If I cannot, I head to the nearest room and try again.
That’s great I have a goal of 15 items a day:
5 in trash
5 in their proper home
And 5 to donate (which go right in car and usually right to goodwill which is close)
It really helps me to set small goals
I also don’t count if I buy a new item to replace, that doesn’t count in the trash, or donate total
Thank you Dana! This concept and not making piles to “put away later” have been the biggest game changers for me!
Ive heard you talk about this before, but it’s meaning something v specific today about our kitchen cutlery drawer. I’m going to stop stressing about finding 30 mins to empty and reorganise and just declutter it a few items at a time until it takes 10 mins to empty, wipe down, and put back all purrrdy
I recently donated some practically brand new shirts; they just didn’t feel right on me and I always ended up taking them off and going for something else. Who cares if they’re new…now someone ELSE can enjoy having them in THEIR house.
Your approach and thought process has truly reshaped my thinking and it’s suddenly all coming together for the betterment of my home and well being. Very grateful for your willingness to share.