minimalist Archives - Tidy Lifestyle

Indoor Plants & Home Organization

March 20, 2024March 21, 2024Leave a comment

We explore the powerful connection between indoor plants and home organization, highlighting how integrating plants into your living space can enhance both its aesthetic appeal and organizational functionality.

How do indoor plants help with organization?

Routine Maintenance: Caring for plants often requires a regular schedule of watering, pruning, and cleaning. Incorporating plant care tasks into your routine can help you develop good habits and a sense of responsibility.
Time Management: You need to allocate time for watering, fertilizing, repotting, and other tasks based on the needs of each plant. This practice can help you prioritize tasks and manage your time more efficiently, improving overall organization.
Space Utilization: Organizing indoor plants involves determining the best locations for them based on factors like sunlight, humidity, and available space. Arranging plants in an organized manner can maximize space utilization and create an aesthetically pleasing environment, similar to organizing other items in your space.
Attention to Detail: Caring for plants involves paying attention to small details such as leaf discoloration, pest infestations, or soil moisture levels. This attention to detail can translate into other areas of your life, fostering a more organized and observant mindset.
Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully caring for plants and watching them thrive can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This sense of achievement can boost motivation and confidence, leading to increased productivity and better organizational skills in other areas of your life.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: Engaging in plant care activities, such as watering, pruning, or repotting, can promote mindfulness and relaxation. Taking the time to focus on these tasks can help reduce stress and clear your mind, leading to a greater sense of calmness and mental clarity. This mental state can enhance your ability to stay organized and focused on other tasks.

Incorporating plant care into your life can contribute to a more organized and harmonious living environment.

Pain Points & Solutions

What kind of plants are aesthetically appealing AND low maintenance?

Snake Plant
African Violet
Monsterra
Elephant Ears
Pothos

Snake Plant

Caring for a snake plant (Sansevieria) is relatively easy, making it a popular choice for both experienced and novice plant enthusiasts.

Light: thrives in indirect and low light conditions
Watering: once a month
Soil & Pot: well draining soil and pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot
Maintenance: Repot every 2-3 years

African Violet

African violets (Saintpaulia) are popular houseplants known for their colorful, delicate flowers and attractive foliage. Add a pop of color to any room, as they come in a variety of colors – purple, white, pink, and red.

Light: bright, indirect light near a window with plenty of filtered sunlight
Watering: water from the bottom, fill a saucer or tray with water to allow the plant to absorb water through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot
Soil & Pot: well draining soil and pot with drainage holes
Maintenance: Repot every 6-12 months

Monstera

Known as Swiss cheese plants or split-leaf philodendrons, are popular for their large, glossy leaves and unique foliage.

Light: bright, indirect light near a window with plenty of filtered sunlight
Watering: water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Allow excess water to drain away
Soil & Pot: well draining soil and pot with drainage holes
Maintenance: for young monstera repot 1-2 years

Elephant Ears

Elephant ear plants, also known as Colocasia or Alocasia, are tropical plants known for their large, heart-shaped leaves

Light: bright, indirect light near a window with plenty of filtered sunlight
Watering: consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, allowing excess water to drain away
Soil & Pot: well draining soil and pot with drainage holes
Maintenance: for young monstera repot 1-2 years

Pothos

Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy or Epipremnum aureum, are popular houseplants known for their easy care and trailing foliage.

Light: thrives in wide range of lighting conditions, from low to bright, indirect light
Watering: allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering. Water thoroughly, saturating the soil until water drains out of the bottom of the pot
Soil & Pot: well draining soil and pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot
Maintenance: Repot every 1-2 years

Habits & Organization

What are the benefits of having indoor plants?

Improved Air Quality: Indoor plants help to purify the air by absorbing harmful gases like carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while releasing oxygen. This can lead to cleaner and fresher indoor air.
Stress Reduction: Research suggests that spending time around plants can reduce stress levels and promote feelings of calmness and well-being. Indoor plants can create a more relaxed and pleasant environment.
Enhanced Mood: Indoor plants have been shown to have a positive effect on mood, helping to lift spirits and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Their presence can contribute to a more cheerful and uplifting atmosphere.
Boosted Productivity: Having plants in the workplace or at home can increase productivity and concentration levels. Studies have found that being around greenery can enhance cognitive function and improve focus.
Better Indoor Climate Control: Plants release moisture through a process called transpiration, which can increase humidity levels indoors. This natural humidifying effect can help to create a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment, particularly during dry seasons.
Noise Reduction: Certain indoor plants can help to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels, making them ideal for use in busy or noisy environments.
Visual Appeal: Indoor plants add beauty and visual interest to indoor spaces, enhancing aesthetics and creating a more inviting atmosphere.
Connection with Nature: Bringing a piece of nature indoors can foster a greater sense of connection with the natural world, even in urban or indoor environments. Taking care of plants can also provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Improved Sleep: Some indoor plants, such as lavender and jasmine, emit soothing fragrances that can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Placing these plants in bedrooms can create a more conducive environment for restful sleep.
Health Benefits: Reducing the incidence of headaches, allergies, and fatigue. They can also help to speed up recovery times from illnesses and surgeries.

Overall, incorporating indoor plants into your living or working space can offer numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being, as well as contributing to a more aesthetically pleasing environment.

Please Note: All of the plants mentioned in this post were recommended by Collin, owner of Culiver Cultivations. Culiver Cultivations offers garden design, consulting, and education business in the San Francisco area.

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atomic habits by james clear 4 laws for building and breaking habits

Organization & Habits

March 13, 2024March 14, 2024Leave a comment

What’s the secret to developing healthy habits and maintaining organization?

Small habits can make big changes.

“It doesn’t matter how successful or unsuccessful you are right now. What matters is whether your habits are putting you on the path toward success.” – James Clear

Get 1% better everyday

Forget goals and focus on the system.

Goals = Results

Systems = Processes that lead to results

If you’ve tried changing your habits but haven’t changed, perhaps the issue isn’t you. The issue is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves.

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” – James Clear

Pain Points & Solutions

Build an identity-based habit

“The key to building lasting habits is focusing on creating a new identity first. Your current behaviors are simply a reflection of your current identity. What you do now is a mirror image of the type of person you believe that you are (either consciously or subconsciously).

To change your behavior for good, you need to start believing new things about yourself. You need to build identity-based habits.

Changing your beliefs isn’t nearly as hard as you might think. There are two steps.

Decide the type of person you want to be.
- “I am an organized and tidy person.”
Prove it to yourself with small wins.
- Actions speak louder than words

Your identity emerges out of your habits.” – James Clear

Every action you take contributes to the type of person you want to be.

How to grow a good habit

Make it Obvious

Be specific with your actions
- “I will [BEHAVIOR][LOCATION] when [TIME] every [DAY].
- I will organize my home when I wake up every Sunday morning.
Use Habit Stacking
- “After [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]
- “After drinking my coffee, I will declutter paper mail.
Design your space around your routine. Make cues of positive habits visible and obvious
- Place a hook near the front door for your keys to hang.

Make it Attractive

Pair an action that you want to do with an action you need to do
- “Before I hangout with friends, I will tidy up my room.”
- “When I get food delivered, I will wash the dishes.”
Join a culture where your desired behavior is the norm.
- Online: tidy lifestyle community group, declutter groups, minimalist groups, simple living groups
- In-person: tidying workshops, women’s groups, parent groups
Create a positive ritual. Do something you love immediately before a unfavorable habit
- “Before I tidy up, I will treat myself to my favorite coffee.”

Make it Easy

Reduce friction. Decrease steps for good habits
- For example: I always set out my outfit, purse and shoes the night before a work day. Then I get to enjoy my morning drinking coffee and preparing for work.
Prime environment. Design your space to make future actions easy
- Strategic storage spots. In the closet closest to the main door, store your coats, shoes, and most used accessories. When you walk out the door, you can grab everything with ease
Master the moment. Optimize the small choices with the biggest rewards
- Physical checklists are extremely helpful to keep productivity up and feels rewarding.
- A simple walk during your day allows you to clear your mind and appreciate the moment. This small action can cascade into your state of mind at work and your interactions with others.
Use the 2 minute rule
- Any habit can be condensed into 2 minutes. The key is to begin incorporating the habit slowly and then eventually 2 minutes becomes 3, then 4, etc.
- Example: Fold one piece of clothing right after you take a load out of the dryer.
Automate your habits to lock in future behavior
- Practice putting your keys and wallet in the same place each day
- Tidy up every Sunday
- Set a deadline of one month for all sale items. If you don’t sell it, have the courage to let go and let it be used/loved.

Make it Satisfying

Make the habit enjoyable
- Turn on music, put on a tv show, dance a little, sing!
Reinforce good habits. Reward yourself immediately after a positive habit
- After I tidy up, I will take myself out to my favorite lunch spot! Yey!
When doing a difficult habit, remind yourself of the benefits
- When I fold laundry it is easier for me to pick out outfits, feel less guilt of it sitting in a basket, and frees up floor space.
Track your habits
- Write a list of all of your habits both good and bad. Reflect on this list and make more mindful choices.
Never miss twice. When you miss a habit, jump right back in
- Don’t get discouraged because you haven’t organized your home for a week. It’s never too late to get back on track!

Tips to Stay Tidy

How to break a bad habit

Make it invisible

Reduce exposure. Out of sight, out of mind
Hide the TV remote, keep snacks on a high shelf in a cabinet, place cigarettes in a box in a hard to reach spot

Make it unattractive

Reframe. What are the benefits of avoiding bad habits?
I feel more productive, present, healthier, lighter, motivated when I don’t watch tv.

Make it difficult

Increase friction. Increase the number of steps for bad habits
- In order to get a bag of chips I have to get a step latter, reach up to the highest shelf, take down the bag before eating
Use a commitment device. Limit future choices to only the ones that help
- Higher a professional organizer and commit to the process
- Buy a gym membership and commit to a better physical and mental state

Make it unsastifying

Team up with an accountability buddy. Support each other and hold yourselves accountable.
Make the costs of your bad habits public

“Whenever you want to change your behavior, you can simply ask yourself: How can I make it obvious? How can I make it attractive? How can I make it easy? How can I make it satisfying?”

– James Clear

Dive Deeper and Read Atomic Habits!

Everything in this blog post is from James Clear author of Atomic Habits.

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The information from this blog post is sourced from the book Atomic Habits by James Clear and his website.

before visual clutter kitchen cooking oils

How to Reduce Visual Clutter

February 15, 2024February 26, 2024Leave a comment

Visual clutter is the presence of excessive and distracting visual elements typically in the form of advertisements and branding on products. It can negatively impact the aesthetics, functionality, and focus within a space.

Before & After Bathroom Clutter Example:

before visual clutter bathroom toiletries — Visual Clutter from Product Labels

What is Visual Clutter?

Visual clutter occurs when there is an overload of elements that cause distraction and scattered thinking. Vibrant colors, giant words, and pictures make it difficult to focus and function in a space.

Why is it in my home?

Imagine yourself walking through the isle of a store. Every product on the shelf has to stand out against its competitor. Companies thrive off of the excessive elements because customers become familiar with the brands color and design.

Pain Points & Solutions

Before & After Kitchen Clutter Example:

after visual clutter kitchen oil bottles — Product labels contribute to unfocused scattered thinking

How does it effect me?

When we bring products into our home, these labels scream and shout on our shelves. Our eyes are naturally drawn to the product which causes:

distraction
cognitive overload
reduced comprehension
slower decision making
scattered thinking
decreased aesthetic appeal

Before & After Bathroom Clutter Example:

before visual clutter cleaning solution holistic — Less functional container with loud label

after visual clutter cleaning solutions holistic — Less functional container with loud label

Simplicity is Key

A clutter free environment and design allows individuals to:

process and absorb information more efficiently
appreciate aesthetics
experience a greater sense of focus and clarity

Best Products 2024

How can I reduce it?

Take labels off of products
Take products out of plastic
Toss boxes that items come in
Store all disposable bags together and out of sight
Use reusable glass spray bottles and hand soap containers: these look nice and reduce visual clutter

Before & After Komono Hobby Clutter Example:

before visual clutter komono hobby cats — Visual Clutter from small items add up

after visual clutter komono hobby cats — Visual Clutter from small items add up

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When to ask for help with clutter and hoarders?

October 22, 2023October 22, 2023Leave a comment

8 signs of when to ask for help for clutter and hoarders who live in a hoarder home.

What’s the difference between a cluttered house and a hoarder house?

A hoarder house typically has –

Clutter on all floors, sometimes pathways from points A to B
Junk on all surfaces including tables, counters, chairs, couches, etc.
Piles on piles of stuff with an assortment of items

How does hoarding impact daily life and routines?

Difficult to do basic tasks such as cooking and cleaning
Limits social interaction such as inviting friends and family over
Constant loss of time and stuff by having to search and look for items
Spending more money on stuff the person already has causing duplicates and more clutter

Can the hoarder meet their basic needs?

A hoarder can have a low threshold for living standards. It’s important to be aware if the hoarder can still meet their basic needs in the home.

Can they wash their hands and take a shower?
Do they have access to laundry and warm water?
Are they able to cook beyond a microwave?
Where do they sleep? Is the bed or couch accessible?

How long have they been living this way?

Has it been a year or more?
Is it getting visibly worse each time you visit?
Is it difficult for them to downsize and declutter?

If you answered yes to the above questions, I recommend asking the person(s) if they want help.

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Is the house unsafe and unhealthy to live in?

How high are the piles?
Is there access to exit and entry doors?
What contents are in the home? (There is usually a pattern.)
Are there signs of mold, infestations, or asbestos?
Are there pets, feces, or any hazardous materials?

If health and safety is in question then now is the time to help.

hoarder shed with clutter on all floors and surfaces making it a dysfunctional space

What kind of stuff is being collected and hoarded?

One of the key signs of hoarding is when the person(s) keep items of little to no monetary value:

Napkins
Pieces of paper
Broken items
Paper boxes
Plastic bags

What are signs and symptoms of hoarding?

Unable to get rid of items and declutter
Inability to let go
Anxiety about the potential future use of items
No designated home or organizational structure for things
Keeping distance between the home and friends, family, and social events

Before & After Photos

What causes hoarding?

People with hoarding disorder may or may not recognize that their habits and behaviors are negative. It’s important to acknowledge that the onset of hoarding usually starts from a stressful or traumatic event.

The exact cause of hoarding is unknown but it can be associated with ADHD and OCD.

Do you know someone who is hoarder and needs help?

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minimalist living room couch for simple living

How Can I Start a More Minimalist Lifestyle?

October 9, 2023March 11, 2024Leave a comment

8 minimalist ideas to start your minimalist lifestyle today!

How can I be more minimalist with clothing?

Create a Capsule Wardrobe.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe? It is when your clothes are composed of interchangeable items that maximizes the number of outfits you can wear. Learn more about how to create a minimalist wardrobe.

How can I declutter books when I love reading?

Keep books that spark joy® when you see them or that you will read now. Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t read a book that’s been sitting on the shelf for years, will you really read it?

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How can I become more minimalist with books?

This sounds super old school but I recommend renting books from the library. I find that I actually read the books I get when I know I have to return them in 2-3 weeks. This also allows me to read all kinds of books (old and new) without them taking up space in my home.

How can I downsize paper in my house?

Stop the flow of paper coming in! It’s important to have a routine when it comes to mail:

Immediately toss advertisements/spam/junk (less paper accumulation)
Open envelopes and discard, only keep the important paper/letter (keep only what you need)
Place important papers, bills, letters in a pending box
Set a day to go through the mail once a week (no pile build ups)

If you haven’t done so already, automate all of your bills online and sign up for the paperless setting.

minimalist kitchen ideas on how to have less

Is it possible to have a minimalist kitchen?

Yes. Although this category is probably one of the hardest for me personally. I maintain having less in the kitchen by:

Mindful spending: Less kitchen gadgets and more questions like, “What purpose does this item serve?”
Buy food you intend to eat now not later.

How can I have less cleaning products?

Honestly, the only cleaning product I use is vinegar. Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and a perfect solution if you have pets or kids in the house. I have 2-3 spray bottles each filled with vinegar that I keep in the kitchen to wipe tables/counters and in the bathrooms.

I’ve used vinegar for years and love the simplicity of having one product to clean everything.

Before & After Photos

How can I feel more minimalist with laundry when I hate folding?

It’s normal for laundry to be left in a basket for a few days. It is not normal when that is literally the place it lives and if it does – it better be in a designated spot in a closet. If you absolutely despise laundry and folding then I recommend –

Hang most/all clothes
Designate separate drawers for small items: socks, underwear, bras
Designate a spot for your hamper to live that does not create visual clutter

The key is to have a home for your clean clothes even if you don’t fold them. Simply toss items into drawers or on hangers. If you’re really lazy just leave them in the hamper but have a designated spot for that hamper to live. Create a system that works for you, is easy to maintain, and doesn’t disrupt the look and feel of your minimalist home.

Do I really have to declutter my sentimental items?

Absolutely not. It’s important to keep and display sentimental items throughout your home! If an item really means a lot to you then why not appreciate and look at it daily? Minimalism is about creating an environment that energizes and supports your lifestyle.

sentimental vase displayed for joy in minimalist home

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writing organizing resources on notebook

Simple Organizing Tips & Tricks

May 9, 2022June 13, 2024

Ready to tidy? Check out these simple organizing tips & tricks!

Focus on Joy

Declutter Guide

Reframe to the positive and embrace how each and every item serves a purpose and adds value.

Closet Tips

Remove clothes from plastic! Mold and moths can be trapped inside plastic covering your clothes. I recommend reusable & washable cloth garment bags.
Create a beautiful closet with matching hangers: it’s a simple yet effective visual appeal when you open your closet daily

Simple Kitchen Organizing

Try to store everything out of sight, inside cabinets and drawers
Install a wall basket on the inside cabinet under the sink to store soap & sponges
Store less frequently used appliances in low, easy to reach cabinets
Toss less joyful items like disposable silverware and chopsticks
Store food in air tight containers to preserve quality and for a lovely visual
Store loose dry items in bins
- Snack bin: popcorn, chips, nuts, crackers
- Canned: soup, beans, chicken broth
- Sauces: ketchup, soy sauce, hot sauce
- Health foods: protein powder, supplements
- Back stock: backup cereal, energy bars, coffee
Keep joyful tools and organizers: high level of function, easy to wash/clean, and aesthetically pleasing

Atmosphere

Dedicate a “to-do” area.
- Place a “pending” box for all incoming mail you want to open
- Hang a calendar for all chores, appointments, reminders
- Designate a work area for projects you’re working on
Create a drop-zone: this is usually near the front door where you can leave a pair shoes, jacket, mask, and wallet. It’s important to only leave one or time items of each category to avoid visual clutter.
Areas for daily rituals need to be easy to access: drop-zone, coffee & tea station, pet zone, workout zone, and more!

Storage Tricks

BINS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND! Kitchen, Bathroom, Closet, Garage – no matter what space you are trying to organize try to CONTAIN all Like-items together!
Labels, labels, labels! Label’s help everyone in the home know where items belong and where to put them back.
Utilize all storage areas efficiently
- Store large items first, place smaller items around
- Install shelves on empty wall spaces
Store items of the same category together and label the shelf and/or box

Looking for help on something specific?

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For more tips see Marie Kondo’s Website

Organizing Book Recommendations

April 15, 2022October 2, 2023Leave a comment

Check out these book recommendations to help you start organizing!

Marie Kondo Book Recommendations

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up: This is such a great book to inspire you! After reading this I just knew I had to hire Marie to help my parents with their hoarder home. Soon after I signed up for her Organizing Consultant Program to start organizing on my own! This is where my professional organizing journey began. In this book she describes the deep impact of how organizing can enhance our lives. After all, don’t we all want to live our best lives?!

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up: Such an amazing detailed guide on how to organize in each category. Marie includes pictures of how to fold items with TONS of tips and tricks. Take your organizing game to the NEXT LEVEL with this book!

Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life: What I love most about this book is how she explains how to organize your digital life. I swear before I read this I had soooo many old photos, documents spread all over my desktop, and absolutely no order to all my files. She also goes into detail about how to maintain a tidy workspace.

Organizing Book Recommendations

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals: Clea and Joanna transform spaces to be practical and aesthetically beautiful. They tidy for clients instead of with clients. They love purchasing organizing containers to display everything beautifully and in rainbow color.

The Personal Organizing Workbook: Solutions for a Simpler, Easier Life: This in amazing guide that really helps clients organize and learn how to maintain organized spaces. I really enjoyed this one!

Real Life Organizing: (Clutterbug Book)

Martha Stewart’s Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines

Need more suggestions?

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How to Maintain AFTER Tidying!

March 28, 2022February 21, 2024

Free Tips & Tricks about how to maintain a Tidy Lifestyle after Tidying!

Kitchen

Spices & Herbs

Always return seasonings back to their designated home
Preserve flavor and quality by storing all spices and herbs away from light and heat
Replace after six months
When you run out of a spice: discard container and write down the item on your shopping list

Pantry

Always place items where you found them
Keep a writing pad handy in the kitchen so you can write down foods to replace
Sort through the pantry every 2-3 months to do inventory, make adjustments, and discard expired foods
Place labels on shelves so every member of the household can put things back where they belong

Refrigerator & Freezer

Always return food back to its category
- sauces on the door
- cheese in the drawer
- milk on the tallest shelf
- proteins on the lowest shelf (typically coldest area of the fridge)
Try to sort through the fridge & freezer every 1-2 months, before going grocery shopping
- Check what you have and need to buy
- Toss spoiled and expired foods
- Reorganize so you can see everything

Living Room

Photos

Go through old photos every year. If you haven’t gone through photos in years, be honest with yourself and ask if they are worth keeping? Perhaps, switch photos in frames out with those in albums or boxes.

Books

Joy Check books every year. When did you read each book? If you haven’t most of the books in the past year or more consider other options – Kindle, Ebooks, or go to the library. (Yes, I still go to the library! It’s a wonderful way to read new releases without having to wait or store more books at home.)

Children’s toys

Ensure bins are categorized and accessible to encourage the little kiddos to tidy up
Categories can be broken down by:
- Balls
- Legos/Duplos
- Trains, Trucks, Small Toys
- Play food, Cookware
- Stuffed Animals
- Arts/Crafts

Dining Room

Sort through the dining room sideboard once a year and donate items that haven’t been used in the past 12 months
Refrain from using the dining table as a resting place for paper and projects
Place fresh flowers in a vase or another centerpiece. This visual appeal reminds family members that this is a space to gather.
Dust and clean the table weekly – this can help from clutter building
Place frequently used items in the sideboard nearby
- Coasters, trivets, and napkins in easy to access drawers

Home Bar

After a party, put glasses and liquors back where they belong
Inventory the liquid cabinet before holiday and event shopping. Add items to your shopping list.

Home Office

Mail

Recycle junk mail at the mailbox
Have a designated place to temporary hold mail if you can’t get to it immediately
Sort through mail daily and as soon as you can
Shred sensitive mail
Place bills and other important documents in a pending box
Replace old magazines with new ones, especially if you have a subscription

Papers

As you receive important documents be sure to file them away in their appropriate category within a file cabinet or file folder
Place must-do items in a pending box, typically located on top of the desk or in a drawer
It’s natural for papers to be left out: don’t stress! You’re human! File papers once a week or on a regular schedule so nothing builds up.
When you receive notices such as wedding invitations: add it to the calendar immediately and then toss the paper.
Clean out files every year.
- Tax records have to be saved for 3 years in California
- Dispose of any unused manuals
- Shred old bills, receipts, checks, etc.

Digital

Every 4 months: Go through file folders and add documents left on the desktop or other places that are not categorized
- Ensure all documents are in useful categories
  - Projects
  - Personal
  - Travel
  - Medical
  - Financial
  - Tax
  - Important
- Trash old and irrelevant documents
Every 4 months: Sort photos and delete duplicates, screenshots, junk
- Take this opportunity to increase phone storage, sync photos to the cloud and/or computer
- Create a photo screensaver slideshow on the computer! Change the background photo on your phone! This is a great way to enjoy your photos and relive your memories each day!

Bedroom

Clothes

Always put clothes back where it belongs in a closet, dresser, or drawer
Sort through clothing storage spaces periodically, perhaps every 6 months
- When seasons change, replace and store clothes with the appropriate season
- Discard or donate unworn clothes.
- *Every item we keep and discard teaches us a lesson*
Designate a lazy drawer: Have a safe space to hold the pajamas currently being used or other clothes you intend to wear again. This is also a great place to hold clothes when feeling too tired to fold.
Designate a laundry bag for dry cleaning
Utilize drawer organizers and dividers if your clothes feel cluttered and disorganized regularly
As soon as you empty the dryer, find a peaceful place to fold clothes and take some time for yourself. This can become a relaxing ritual. Don’t forget to involve family members or to place clothes in labeled baskets within their personal spaces for them to get to.
- Don’t have time to fold? Set clothing basket aside, near your closet as a “pending” activity.

Nightstand

Make it a habit to return all books inside the nightstand
Always put medicine in the drawers of the nightstand
Have in-bed hobbies? Place contents in a bin stored under the bed
Keep a small dish on the nightstand for hairbands, rings, or earrings

Bathroom

Reorganize your bathroom every 6-12 months
- It’s normal for clutter to build up on bathroom counters. Make it a point to clean counters regularly to avoid scum and dust build up. Take this opportunity to tidy up!

Medicine

Check the dates of your medication every 6 months
- Over the counter medication typically expires every 6-12 months
Store medicine in a cabinet or designated bin with a lid, out of reach from kids

Garage & Utility Room

Label all bins and shelves to ensure you always put items back. This also helps encourage family members to put things back.
Clean and fix equipment, tools, and recreational items every season before storing

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For more detailed guidance I recommend reading The Home Organizing Workbook.

Declutter Guide

December 29, 2021June 13, 2024

Define your goal by visualizing your Ideal lifestyle

Clarify why you want to tidy and identify the lifestyle you want to live once you have finished.

Step 1: Visualize in detail the ideal lifestyle you dream of
Step 2: Identify why you want to live that lifestyle
Step 3: Dive into the specifics of how you want to live day by day.

When we skip this step it delays the whole tidying process and puts you at higher risk for rebound.

Focus on what to Keep, not what to Discard

How do you know if an item sparks joy and you should keep it?

A feeling of thrill, often a full body experience
A pleasing design/look that makes you feel peaceful
An item with a high degree of functionality that makes life easier
A sense of rightness
An items thats useful in daily life

Examples of Joy

How do you don’t love an item and should say goodbye?

you feel heavy
your hands pause
you tilt your head slightly and frown
you have to think
you feel guilty
for essential items that don’t spark joy, think about the purpose

Prepare to Declutter

Pick an easy category to start with – I recommend clothing.

Pile all items in one spot so you can see everything in that category at once. Example: pile ALL shirts throughout the home/car/office/storage unit on your bed.

Creating a physical pile gives us that “WOW” moment and helps us make informed decisions once and only once.

How to Reduce Duplicates

Pick out your Favorite(s)

Find one item in the pile that you love.

You know you love something because the instant you see and hold it, you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Sometimes items are less about happiness and more about practicality, usefulness, and function. Example: the blue shirt that goes with everything and is always washed regularly.

“Does it Spark Joy?”™

Step 1: Pick up one item at a time
Step 2: Hold it.
- Ask yourself:
  - If this got stained/torn would I fix it?
  - If I lost this, would I buy it again?
  - Does this item enhance my life?
  - Do I feel like my best self with this item?
- If you’re unsure if it Sparks Joy hug it close to your heart!
- Gaze at it.
- If it is clothing, please try it on!

Be Present

Be aware of how your body reacts to each item. You know you love something because that feeling is immediate. If you pause or have to think about an item – ask yourself, why?

Was it a gift?
Was it free?
Have I used this? Why haven’t I ever used this?
What was I really trying to buy in that moment?
Does this item fit into to my ideal lifestyle?

Pain Points & Solutions

“What if I’m Struggling?”

Pick 2-3 similar items and compare them.

Really feel the item in your hand and think deeply about what purpose it plays.

Be Mindful.

Have the courage to let go and stop all thoughts of “What if-?” Remember your goals and think of how each item you keep or discard contributes to your ideal lifestyle.

Try not to focus on-

reducing
efficient storage methods
feeling wasteful
giving items away

Instead focus on-

choosing belongings that inspire joy
enjoying life according to your own standards
appreciate how the items you discard supported you in your life
what role each item has in your life

Reframe Letting Go & Declutter

Every item you keep is a possession that brings you joy and/or makes life better.

Every item you discard is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and who you are today.

If you let go of something you’ve used until it’s broken and worn out: appreciate how its helped to enhance your life
If you declutter something you never used: it taught you a lesson in how you shop, that it did not have a purpose in your life
Think consciously about each item you discard: how will you choose to live moving forward? how you will acquire new things?

Keep items with Confidence

If you keep it then…

Use and appreciate it.
Create a forever home for every item: find it and know exactly what you have.
It’s natural to not put away everything all the time. No one is perfect. Organization is NOT about perfection! Make it a priority to create positive habits. Maybe you won’t put belongings back all the time, every day, but commit to putting things away.

Declutter & Rightsize with ease

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Please note items discussed on this post were from the Marie Kondo books and KonMari networking group. Find more resources here.