How to Declutter Your House

Purging can be a daunting task. For many, the idea of purging is synonymous with loss. The thought of getting rid of your stuff means taking things away and ultimately losing control of some small semblance of your life. Or, at least, this is the way many of our clients have anxiously viewed the purging portion of getting organized.

So, let’s get one thing straight: I am not interested in minimizing for its own sake. Getting organized is not synonymous with owning next-to-nothing. And owning little isn’t the only way being organized is possible! When we go into any home, our goal is to help clients simplify so that every belonging in their homes either brings them joy or serves a specific, useful function.

As discussed in my book, there are a few common reasons people have a hard time letting go of their possessions. To make it easy on you, here are a few questions and suggestions to help you get started on those trickier items:

Questions for keepsakes & souvenirs

• Will it be stored or displayed? How often do I see this?

• Are there any other feelings wrapped up in it besides joy and affection?

• Is there anything else that serves the same purpose in my life?

• Does it still mean as much to me as it once did?

• Do I associate feelings of guilt with this item?

• Would I have bought this if it wasn’t gifted to me?

• How much time would I spend looking for this item if I lost it?

A few easy things you can get rid of right now (and never miss)

• Takeout menus

• Old pens/markers that no longer write

• Old Halloween costumes/costumes that no longer fit

• Expired coupons

• Expired food

• Loose scraps of paper

• Empty boxes

• Excess paper goods

• Old electronics (be sure to wipe any old cell phones!)

• Books that you haven’t referenced in over 2 years

• Unnecessary duplicate items

• Kitchen gadgets and appliances that haven’t been used in over 2 years

• Conference & event swag

Questions for items you feel guilty letting go of

• Can someone else get better use out of this item?

• Did I receive this item out of obligation?

• Am I keeping this solely because of its price?

• Am I holding onto this to justify the purchase?

• Is there another way I can honor the memory associated with this item?

To combat any feelings of nervousness as you begin purging, I implore you to flip the script on yourself. Focus on what it is you want to keep, rather than what you need to get rid of. When you understand the distinction between approaching the process from what you’ll gain rather than what you’ll lose, you’ll feel an immediate and palpable sense of relief. The task suddenly becomes doable and desirable, because it is.

Need more advice on the process of purging and letting go of things? Be sure to grab a copy of Life in Jeneral and sign up for the LIJ Book Club. You’ll gain access to a free workbook, which features exercises dedicated to letting go of the things that no longer serve the life you want to create, the process of purging, and of course, getting organized from the inside out. If you’re not already, follow along with the book club on our Instagram, too! There will be lots of great information, support, giveaways, and more.