Organize yourself before you try to organize anything else. – C. Jay
Clutter isn’t just stuff—it’s a slow-motion suffocation of your sanity. Fun fact: Americans spend 2.5 days every year hunting for lost items in homes bursting with an average of 300,000 items. Even more disturbing? We’re dropping $2.7 billion annually on storage units just to hoard more.
Too much clutter- the kinds that bothers us, is decision paralysis in its purest form. When everything feels important, nothing is.
The “But I Might Need It” Pile
- Mystery chargers and random keys
- Combination locks (code unknown)
- Instruction manuals for appliances
- Empty Apple boxes
- Logo tote bags
- Wrapping paper scraps for tiny gifts
- Phone cases from three upgrades ago
- Novels you’ve already read
- Headphones that don’t fit your phone
The Memory Trap
- Single socks/gloves/earrings
- Greeting cards from people you can’t remember
- Things that are sentimental to OTHER people
- Souvenirs
- Ancient trophies gathering dust
- Tax docs older than 7 years
The Bathroom Graveyard
- Tiny hotel toiletries
- Unused makeup/Chapstick
- Half-empty products you hate
- Free samples
Kitchen Overflow
- Extra mugs (keep 8)
- Halloween napkins from 2018
- Lidless Tupperware
- Old cookware
- Ancient spices
- Cheap water bottles
- Food with freezer burn
- Sauce packets/Take out utensils
The Wake-Up Call
The Truth? 80% of Americans feel anxious because of their cluttered homes. Your stuff isn’t just taking up space—it’s stealing your peace. This November, stop organizing chaos and start eliminating it. Make your space a sanctuary.
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Wellbeing Resources
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7 types of Clutter
Nostalgic, Useful, On-Sale, Shouldn’t Use, Ambitious, Free, Bad Purchases
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Clutter Raises Cortisol
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Assess Yourself
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Trash Bag Therapy
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DNR Clutter
For the loved one you live with who won’t depart with useless but sentimental items, place them in a sealed box and mark DNR, DO NOT RE-OPEN so when the times comes, it goes directly to donation. Genuis.
Thanks to my friend Linda DeViney for the great DNR tip!
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Remember to Stay Calm and Notice Beauty
15-Year Time Lapse on Trees
Perfect timing! This morning I booked an organizer to help me organize my new pantry and bedroom closet. Can’t wait.
What a great idea Julie! You go!!
this was so good! I have been feeling anxious due to not having time to declutter.