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!!
When I retired, started then and Covid was impetus as so many asking for items so easy to load up and give. Out of sight and out of mind and good feeling. Yes easier to find things and calming feeling. As my mother would say, if you have 2 coats, you can give one to someone who does not have one.
this was so good! I have been feeling anxious due to not having time to declutter.