My Decluttering Routine

Each year, I like to kick things off with a lighthearted approach to decluttering—treating it as a refresh, not a chore. I turn on my favorite playlist, maybe pour a glass of wine (or coffee if it’s still early), and tackle one space at a time.

For me, decluttering feels a bit like a treasure hunt. Sometimes I uncover forgotten favorites that make me smile, and other times, I let go of things I’ve outgrown and happily donate them—and honestly, it feels amazing.

And when I’m done? I celebrate the win—whether it’s turning a chaotic junk drawer into a functional utility drawer, organizing a closet, or finally taming the chaos of digital photos and files.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be perfect. I focus on progress, not perfection, and aim to make my space—and my mind—feel lighter, calmer, and ready for whatever the new year brings.

Ready to refresh your space?  Here are my top tips for decluttering and staying organized year-round

  • The Reverse Hanger Trick
    I turn all my hangers backward. After wearing something, I hang it back the right way. After a few months, anything still backward gets donated—I’m clearly not wearing it!
  • One Shelf at a Time
    I focus on one shelf, drawer, or section at a time. Small wins keep me motivated and make big tasks feel manageable.
  • Sort by Category, Not Room
    I group similar items—clothes, books, or tools—from around the house. Sorting this way makes it easier to spot duplicates and decide what to keep.
  • Contain The Chaos
    I limit items to fit within bins or containers. When a container is full, I declutter instead of adding more. It’s perfect for crafts, toys, and office supplies.
  • Picture Perfect Progress
    I take before-and-after photos of each decluttered space. Seeing the transformation keeps me motivated.
  • The Two-Minute Tidy
    If a task takes two minutes or less, I do it right away—like putting dishes away or filing papers. It keeps clutter from piling up.
  • Digital Declutter
    I set aside time to tidy up digital spaces—organizing files, deleting duplicates, unsubscribing from junk mail, and clearing my desktop.
  • The Sunday Reset
    I spend 30 minutes each Sunday tidying up busy areas like the kitchen and entryway. It’s a quick way to start the week fresh and stress-free—and even better when the whole family pitches in!
  • Seasonal Swap
    I declutter with the seasons—cleaning closets before summer and winter to rotate clothing and donate unused items.
  • In with the New, Out with the Old
    For every new item I bring home, I remove one old item to keep clutter in check.
  • The 6-Month Box Test
    I box up non-essentials, label the date, and store them. If I don’t open the box in 6 months, I donate it—without peeking!
  • The Drop-and-Go Basket
    I keep a basket in a central spot for stray items. At the end of the day, everyone in the household grabs their things and puts them back where they belong.
  • Labels Make Life Easier
    I use bins, baskets, and labels to keep things organized and easy for everyone to find—and put back.
  • The 12-12-12 Quick Clean
    I pick 12 items to toss, 12 to donate, and 12 to put away. It’s an easy way to declutter without overthinking.

Ready to refresh your space?  Here are my top tips for decluttering and staying organized year-round

  • The Reverse Hanger Trick
    I turn all my hangers backward. After wearing something, I hang it back the right way. After a few months, anything still backward gets donated—I’m clearly not wearing it!
  • One Shelf at a Time
    I focus on one shelf, drawer, or section at a time. Small wins keep me motivated and make big tasks feel manageable.
  • Sort by Category, Not Room
    I group similar items—clothes, books, or tools—from around the house. Sorting this way makes it easier to spot duplicates and decide what to keep.
  • Contain The Chaos
    I limit items to fit within bins or containers. When a container is full, I declutter instead of adding more. It’s perfect for crafts, toys, and office supplies.
  • Picture Perfect Progress
    I take before-and-after photos of each decluttered space. Seeing the transformation keeps me motivated.
  • The Two-Minute Tidy
    If a task takes two minutes or less, I do it right away—like putting dishes away or filing papers. It keeps clutter from piling up.
  • Digital Declutter
    I set aside time to tidy up digital spaces—organizing files, deleting duplicates, unsubscribing from junk mail, and clearing my desktop.
  • The Sunday Reset
    I spend 30 minutes each Sunday tidying up busy areas like the kitchen and entryway. It’s a quick way to start the week fresh and stress-free—and even better when the whole family pitches in!
  • Seasonal Swap
    I declutter with the seasons—cleaning closets before summer and winter to rotate clothing and donate unused items.
  • In with the New, Out with the Old
    For every new item I bring home, I remove one old item to keep clutter in check.
  • The 6-Month Box Test
    I box up non-essentials, label the date, and store them. If I don’t open the box in 6 months, I donate it—without peeking!
  • The Drop-and-Go Basket
    I keep a basket in a central spot for stray items. At the end of the day, everyone in the household grabs their things and puts them back where they belong.
  • Labels Make Life Easier
    I use bins, baskets, and labels to keep things organized and easy for everyone to find—and put back.
  • The 12-12-12 Quick Clean
    I pick 12 items to toss, 12 to donate, and 12 to put away. It’s an easy way to declutter without overthinking.