Clear the bed, open the windows, and get excited because it’s decluttering day! (said with the same enthusiasm as Anna on coronation day)!

I have decluttered my own closet and helped many others declutter theirs. I’m excited to help you in your process by sharing my tried and true method. This will not only help you keep the items you cherish, it will also help you reflect and learn about your past decisions.

Before you begin make sure you are well fed and watered. Light a candle, open the blinds, put on a pump up playlist and get ready to conquer your closet!

1. Pick a small category

• Clothes are not a category. Think shirts, pants, shoes, bags, make up. The smaller, the better!

2. Take a picture of these items in their current home. The messier the better!
   
   
3. Pull out EVERYTHING from that category

• If it doesn’t make it in the pile and you find it later, it automatically goes in the goodbye bin – this isn’t meant to scare you, but to show you the importance of having EVERYTHING out
• Remember those scattered items by thinking of out of season, travel, storage spaces and pull it out!

4. Pull out your favourite item in the pile

• Stuck? Think of someone asking you to put on the item in the pile that makes you feel your best- this is the item you start with
• This does not need to be what you use most often, it actually might be what you never allow yourself to use
• Ask yourself what about this item you love. Take note of your answer

5. Continue to work through the pile, pulling out your favourites, the ones you love and enjoy

• Ask yourself what the items you have chosen so far have in common. Is there a theme? A style? Do they all contain memories? How did you come to own them? Look for themes.

6. When you have about 25% left, pause and start asking yourself what the remaining items have in common

• Why did you not pick them up? Why are you not drawn to them? Look for themes, are they from the same store/clothing line? Are they poor quality? Have you worn them out? Did you choose them or were they given to you?
• Decide if you want to keep any of these remaining items. Otherwise you are looking at your goodbye pile

7. Pick up each item in your goodbye pile and thank it. 

• Whether you used this item or not, it has taught you something, thank it for the memories and the lessons learned
• This may seem strange, but this is a way of honouring the item, and helps with the letting go process

8. Put the goodbye pile in an easy to get out of the house method

• Plastic shopping bags
• Large brown gardening bags work well, and are recyclable
• Cardboard boxes
• Garbage bags should be your last resort because they are not recyclable

9. Re-evaluate your keep pile

• Are there any you want to reconsider?
• Are there any items that need repairs? Put them in a separate pile
• You should be looking at a pile of your favourite things!

10. Give your items a new home

• I believe thoroughly in every belonging having a home. As you declutter you may be surprised in how things fit better, or a new method of storing them

11. Pick another category and do the same process until you have completed that area

• See the image below for categories

12. Take an “after” picture to celebrate all that you’ve done!

• This is a big accomplishment. Not only have you curated your space, you have learned a lot about your choices and belongings. 

Congratulations! This is no small thing, you have taken one step closer to the life you want. Now is the time to relax and enjoy your newly curated space!