Spring Cleaning & Decluttering: Find Your Why and Get Started

You’ve searched Pinterest.

You’ve watched countless organizing shows.

You’ve been down the YouTube rabbit hole.

And yet… that closet still isn’t cleaned out.

What’s missing?

✨ Motivation. Let’s fix that.

Start With Your “Why”

Having a clear why is what keeps you moving when you want to quit halfway through a drawer.

It seems like everywhere we turn someone is telling us how much better life will be with an organized home. There are thousands of books, blogs, and posts about decluttering.

So what’s the issue?

Most people procrastinate because they don’t know how to start.

Let’s change that.

Here are a few powerful reasons to get going:

1. Less Stress. Numerous studies show that organized homes reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve mood and productivity.

   
   

2. Less Housework. According to a study by the National Soap and Detergent Association, an organized home can eliminate up to 40% of housework in the average household. (Sold!)

   
   

3. More Money. It costs an average of $10 per square foot per year to store items in your home. Clutter is expensive.

There you have it — health, time, and money. That’s a pretty strong why.

Where Do You Start?

Start with the space causing you the most stress — but start small.

If it’s your bedroom, begin with one drawer or one shelf. Small wins build momentum.

And please… for the love of all that is holy…Do NOT buy containers yet.

(We’ll get there.)

The 7 Steps to Decluttering Success

1. Evaluate the Space

Before you touch a single item, ask yourself:

• What is my vision for this space?

• How do I want this room to function?

• How does it currently make me feel?

• How do I want it to make me feel?

• What’s working? What’s not?

Pay attention to clutter hotspots. Kitchen islands and dining tables are notorious.

If school papers and mail are stacked so high you “can’t make dinner,” that’s not a clutter problem — that’s a systems problem. (Hello, command center!)

Anything that doesn’t belong? Put it in a relocate basket.

Now you have a vision. Let’s get to work.

2. Sort & Purge

Have five containers ready:

• Keep

• Sell

• Donate

• Relocate

• Trash

Start with obvious trash and broken items. Quick wins create motivation.

As you sort, keep your why in mind and ask:

• What’s the worst that will happen if I let this go?

• Does my heart flutter when I see this?

• Is this worth the space it’s taking up?

Break large areas into categories.

In a closet, don’t pull everything at once.

Start with:

• Tank tops

• Short sleeves

• Long sleeves

Group like with like. Always.

And remember — it doesn’t matter how Pinterest does it.

It has to make sense to you in order to maintain it.

(For example: most people think wax paper belongs in the kitchen. I think sewing room. And that’s okay.)

3. Position with Purpose

Put items back intentionally.

Organize according to use:

• Daily items = easiest reach

• Seasonal or occasional items = higher shelves

  
  

Take a second look at what you kept.

Example:

If you have 72” of hanging space and each item needs 1–2 inches, that’s about 50 items of clothing. Sure, you can squeeze in more — but we’re trying to avoid wrinkled, overcrowded chaos.

Look for duplicates.

Do you really need 15 white button-down shirts?

Be honest.

4. Measure (Now We Can Talk Containers)

This is where most people go wrong.

Before buying a single bin:

📏 Measure the shelf

📏 Measure the drawer

📏 Measure the height, depth, and width

📏 Measure what you’re containing

Depth is especially important. If you have a 14” deep shelf, try to use a 14” deep container.

Trust me — I love beautiful bins as much as anyone. My heart races in the organizing aisle. But buying first and measuring later costs time and money.

And we don’t waste either.

5. Contain

Now you can contain your categories.

Use:

• Bins

• Baskets

• Canisters

• Shoe boxes (covered in pretty paper!)

• Dollar store bins with washi tape

You do NOT need to buy new items.

Ask yourself:

• Do I like to see what I have?

• Or do I prefer things hidden?

Clear bins are great for visibility.

Opaque bins create visual calm.

Choose what works for your personality.

6. Label (Maybe 😉)

Confession: I don’t label everything.

If you use clear bins and it’s obvious what’s inside, you may not need labels.

But if other household members “can’t find the snack bin” even when snacks are inside… label away.

Options:

• Printed computer labels (great for larger text)

• Cricut vinyl

• Traditional label maker

• Photo labels for young children (helps with early reading!)

Labeling isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity.

7. Maintain

You now have:

✔ A place for everything

✔ Everything in its place

To keep it that way:

Build the habit of putting things back.

Most research suggests new habits take about 2–3 months to stick. That may sound long — but after that, it becomes second nature.

And that tidy space? It becomes your new normal.

Still Feeling Stuck?

Invite a non-judgmental friend over. Sometimes we need fresh eyes that aren’t emotionally attached to the rock our toddler gave us.

(Yes… I still have the pinch pot my daughter made at five. I use it for the rocks she gave me as a toddler. Some things are worth keeping.)

Put on music.

Light a candle.

Promise yourself a reward.

Make it a spa appointment.

A manicure.

Lunch with a friend.

Make it enjoyable.

And if you’re still overwhelmed?

📞 Give me a call.

I would love to help you create a space that feels calm, functional, and beautifully designed for your life.