Removing clutter from your home doesn’t need to be done in a single weekend, or even within a month. Think of it as a task that’s done gradually.

Many of our readers have had the most success with choosing ONE area a week/weekend to focus on: a bathroom, a bedroom closet, a bedroom dresser, the kitchen drawers, the kitchen cupboards, one area of the garage.

The idea is to make decluttering manageable, so you’re motivated to stick with it. This allows you to steadily create a home that’s your sanctuary, rather than a source of stress.

So that you’re able to prioritize organizing, look at your schedule and block out a REALISTIC chunk of time that you can devote to decluttering. Try to block out at least one uninterrupted hour (no less than 30 minutes) each week.

Jot down exactly which area you plan to focus on during that time (a specific closet, dresser, storage area, toy bin, etc.) and make sure that the time you’ve allocated for the task is realistic.

What we mean by this: Don’t block out 30 minutes for an entire clothing closet, instead find time in your calendar when you have 2-3 hours to commit to the process. Use shorter periods of time to focus on smaller areas, such as the miscellaneous drawer in the kitchen where everyone tosses their keys.

If you have a somewhat predictable schedule, be proactive and plan your sessions for the next few weeks. If you have a more unpredictable schedule, block out chunks of time on a week-to-week basis.

Once penciled in, treat your decluttering sessions as if they’re scheduled appointments, no different than you would with a doctor’s appointment. Set a reminder on your phone, a notification in your Outlook program, do whatever you need to do to make it happen!

Again, the idea is to make this manageable so you don’t become frustrated or burn out. If you penciled in an hour on Saturday to do the bathroom, set a timer and spend 60 minutes on the bathroom. When those 60 minutes are up, don’t feel pressured to do more or to move on to another space (unless you have the time and want to).

It’s always better to spend smaller amounts of time, typically between 30 minutes and 3 hours, on one space or project than an entire day. This way, you’ll feel much more motivated to continue decluttering the following week.

• Choose ONE area a week/weekend to focus on.
• Block out one uninterrupted hour (no less than 30 minutes) each week. Jot down exactly which area you
• plan to focus on during that time.
• Stick to the time you allocated and don’t feel pressured to do more.

Remember, with a few simple steps and a solid plan of action, you CAN create a tidy space without struggling to keep clutter at bay.

Let’s kick clutter to the curb — together!