Declutter vs. Organize
Declutter vs. Organize? Are these two different things? Let’s explore this and why it’s on my mind!
I recently came across Dana K. White’s podcast, “A Slob Comes Clean” and her books, which I’ll link at the bottom (no affiliate links in this post!). Her focus is best described in her three books, and she also did a recent “10 Years of the Podcast” podcast episode which I started with to learn more about her. I thought it would be fun to write about what I took away from her system - as a self-described organized lady!
I think for some of us, the definition of “declutter” is pretty straightforward - to reduce how much stuff you have when that amount of stuff is bothering you! Dana refers to this as her “clutter threshold”.
You might be running out of room in closets, shelves, pantries - etc.
You might be in the process of moving homes and don’t want to pack and store the items that you never use.
I am pretty decisive and once a space is starting to bother me — I tackle it. For example, just yesterday I was fed up with the state of my car (after weeks of 2 kids making messes and crumbs everywhere!). So I loaded up with my trash bag, my “keep” bag, some Swiffer wipes, and the vacuum —- and went to town. I LOVE seeing that super clean difference that decluttering and cleaning a space makes.
But, when does decluttering fit in with organization? Can’t we just buy all the bins and baskets that we need to contain our stuff? I really appreciated her perspective on this — especially as it pertains to KID stuff. If you’re using baskets, etc., to contain kid’s toys and they keep overfilling — do you gravitate towards more storage or getting rid of what doesn’t fit in the container? I can truly see the argument either way - however, I think Dana would argue that you have a container - and once it’s filled, you need to follow the one-in and one-out rule. It’s the container’s fault! Not the toy!
How to apply decluttering strategy in your home?
HOW I APPLY THIS STRATEGY!
So here is how I’m applying this to MY client’s — before we fill the space with bins and containers, really having you take a hard look at WHAT we’re storing and if you truly use it all!
Every room is different, however, there is something to be said about having a process of looking at EACH space in your home and reflecting on if there is just too much stuff to take care of and clean. I’m a firm believer that visual clutter is distracting and stressful.
A step-by-step process to “declutter” a space:
Find a trash bag, keep bag, and a donate bag before you start.
Use a timer! 5 minutes is a great place to start.
First, find all the trash - and yes, throw it away.
Next, take all the easy stuff back to where they belong. Use the Keep bag if you need to, but IMMEDIATELY empty it where it belongs. We don’t want “procrasti-cluttter” as Dana explains!
Considering working left to right in a room - helps to see the visual progress :)
BONUS TIP: Have a donate bag in every closet or in your laundry room!
The magic comes with what is LEFT after you have reduced the stuff down to what you want to KEEP in a cluttered area. We can next evaluate what system is needed to organize it. Bookshelves? Bins? Cabinets? Shelves? So many options depending on which space in your home we are talking about.
I would love to work with you if this resonates! Hit me up through the website, Facebook, or Instagram to schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation for your space! We can walk through a plan to get your space under control, and what aspect of that you would like me to do!
Links to Dana’s books (or check them out at your library!):
Organizing for the Rest of Us — 100 tips to keep your house under control. A lot of practical tips!
Decluttering at the Speed of Life — chapters on how to approach each room in your house as well as her method of Decluttering
How to Manage Your Home without Losing Your Mind - a great step by step approach of how to tackle your home and focus on keeping your kitchen, laundry, bathrooms and enable 5 minute pick-ups each day. The book ends with a 28 day plan to follow!
