How To Declutter Your Home: 5 Tips That Actually Work

Many people mistake the terms decluttering and organizing as interchangeable, but they embody distinct concepts and outcomes in the context of managing space.

Organizing vs. Decluttering

Organizing involves buying products and striving for a neat, Instagram-perfect look, often leading to more purchases that contribute to clutter. Dana K. White argues that this effort does not truly address the underlying issue: the excessive items overcrowding our spaces. Mel Robbins shares this view, recognizing that purchasing bins does not solve the root problem of clutter.

Organizing Often Leads to More Clutter

White and Robbins both initially believed that organization was about bins, boxes, systems, and making things match social media aesthetics. But they came to realize that this approach often just redistributes the existing stuff into prettier arrangements without reducing the actual quantity.

Decluttering Focuses on Reducing Belongings

Decluttering, on the other hand, is the act of removing unnecessary items. White points out that decluttering allows for a real transformation without even considering organization. It creates a functional space where everything is accessible without shifting other items around. Decluttering is about creating space for peace and the things you actually use and love, not about achieving a certain look or purchasing more containers.

Robbins explains that while the brain may crave organization to cope with being overwhelmed, decluttering—in essence, hitting delete on the overwhelming stuff—is the true solution. Even well-organized clutter is still clutter, as she illustrates with the tale of a jar of unused watercolor pencils that traveled from her house to her office.

Decluttering Leads to a Clearer, More Peaceful Space

Decluttering is not about comprehensive tidying or making a space resemble an Instagram post. Rather, it's an act that clears the mind and brings control into life. It's not about perfection or the right storage solu ...

Dana K. White introduces the idea of a "clutter threshold" — the unique level of belongings that each individual can keep under control without feeling overwhelmed.

Recognizing that everyone has a different capacity for managing physical possessions, and that exceeding your personal "clutter threshold" leads to a sense of overwhelming chaos.

Recognizing your clutter threshold is crucial in maintaining a sense of order and avoiding the chaos that comes from overaccumulation. White points out that if your space regularly descends into disorder, it's an indicator that you have more items than you can manage. This varies from person to person, as demonstrated when two different people might buy the same items, but only one struggles to keep their home organized.

Determining your clutter threshold is an ongoing process of trial and error, as you declutter and observe how much stuff you can comfortably maintain control over.

Mel Robbins adds to the conversation by emphasizing that determining your personal clutter threshold is a hands-on process. To find out what amount of belongings is right for you, you must start decluttering. Continual feelings of being overwhelmed or a space that keeps getting out of control are signs that you're living above your clutter threshold.

Additionally, the clutter thres ...

Dana K. White introduces a 5-step decluttering process that aims to reduce the overwhelm and emotional exhaustion associated with organizing one's space.

Step 1: Start with the "trash" - quickly identify and remove any obvious garbage or waste.

Dana K. White emphasizes the importance of removing obvious trash as the first step in decluttering. She recommends using a black trash bag for this so you can't see what's been discarded, avoiding second-guessing the decision to throw something away. This step involves no decisions or emotions, making it easier to get started and creating immediate visible progress.

Step 2: Address the "easy stuff" - items that clearly belong in an established location, and can be swiftly returned to their proper place.

After disposing of the trash, White suggests moving on to the "easy stuff"—items that already have a designated place. If an item isn’t trash but is out of place and you know where it goes, she advises to put it away immediately instead of creating piles, which could lead to more clutter.

Step 3: Designate a "donation" box or area for items you're ready to let go of.

To streamline the decluttering process, Dana K. White advocates for having a box labeled 'donate' ready for items you choose to give away. Choose a box you don’t want back and refrain from decorating it, which can prevent the urge to keep it. Storing the donation box in a place like the garage keeps it accessible and out of the way.

Step 4: Ask two key questions to guide decluttering decisions - “Where would I look for this item first?” and “Would I even remember that I already own this?”

Dana K. White suggests these instinct-based questions to help decide on keeping or discarding an item. By considering the first place you’d instinctively look for something, you can fi ...

Mel Robbins and Dana K. White discuss the profound effects of decluttering, not just on the cleanliness of a space, but on emotional and mental well-being, suggesting that clearing physical clutter can lead to improved focus, and create a sense of calm and control.

Clearing physical clutter can have a powerful impact on reducing mental and emotional stress, improving focus, and creating a sense of calm and control.

Mel Robbins explains how clutter has a significant impact on both our physical surroundings and our mental state. She describes the burden of walking into a cluttered room, highlighting that clutter can cause stress, self-criticism, and lead to avoidance of social situations due to fear of judgment. By decluttering, one can take back control and transform their living space from a source of stress to one of peace and manageability.

Dana K. White concurs, having experienced firsthand how decluttering transformed her house's appearance and functionality. She emphasizes that decluttering makes a space manageable, which directly contrasts the feeling of being overwhelmed by clutter.

Robbins also relates the act of decluttering to brain function, noting that too many items can overload the brain, making it difficult to process information. Consequently, decluttering helps to eliminate this overload and reduce the overwhelm. Additionally, Robbins stresses that ignoring clutter does not eliminate the subconscious cognitive load it places on us; conversely, addressing clutter directly can help one feel more at peace and in control.

The discussion also notes that decluttering creates more than just physical space – it creates space for peace, focus, and allows you to appreciate and use things you love. It can also positively influence the family dynamic by altering the household's overall attitude towards clutter and possessions.

Decluttering is about more than just tidying up - it's about creating space in your life for what truly matters, and freeing your mind from the burden of excess stuff.

When discussing her five-step decluttering process, White points out that avoiding emotional decision-making is key. Emotions often create barriers to decluttering, as people form sentimental attachments to items representing aspirations, past identities, or sentimental value. White suggests starting with non-emotional items, all ...