Declutter Like A Pro: A Definitive Guide To Decluttering

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Declutter Like A Pro: A Definitive Guide To Decluttering

Рет қаралды 72,824

Күн бұрын

In this video, I take you through my decluttering process. As a professional home organizer, it's my job to help people declutter and organize their homes but many people are intimidated by the idea of decluttering and don't know where to start! I would like to give you a definitive guide to decluttering, so that the next time you need to declutter a closet or any other space, you have a plan of action and a method that will keep you on target!
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Пікірлер: 93

@TheOrganizedSoprano 11 ай бұрын

YOU GOT THIS, BESTIES ❤

@brendalong3852 11 ай бұрын

A few weeks before my Dad died, he and my Mom visited us. We were decorating for Christmas and he blew up a bunch of cheap plastic items and he and my young daughter hung them around the house. He died the week after Christmas and I was gone while my husband took down the decorations. He missed one and every time I try to take it down I find I can't. Seems that his breath in that is something I haven't been able to let go of. Someday but not now. So it hangs in our dining room and I think of him every time I declutter.

@TheOrganizedSoprano 11 ай бұрын

I’m sending you so much love. Do what you need to in your own time. I still have my dad’s college sweatshirt and I don’t want to launder it yet.

@net_marie3153 11 ай бұрын

❤

@natashafrazier9120 11 ай бұрын

Sending my condolences I can relate. My dad wrote something silly on an index card two weeks before he passed over five years ago. I have decluttered many things but I never let that item go. I put it in a frame with a picture of him. Every time I see it I smile. ❤

@kimberly8185 11 ай бұрын

I would keep it forever

@hollie611 11 ай бұрын

My heart goes out to you. I'm sorry your loss. God bless you and your family

@debbielenoir5472 11 ай бұрын

When we lost MIL several years ago, my husband and his family were really challenged in finding homes for the things that no one wanted. The largest item was a large piano built in 1910. My husband discovered a small museum in our area that contained many artifacts from families all over the area. They had created “venues” with all types of antiques. His mother’s piano has found a new home.

@suzycreamcheese8888 10 ай бұрын

We had to clean out a 4000 sq. ft. home when moving the in-laws to assisted living. All the quality stuff that no family member wanted, was taken to an online estate auction company; we were paid the winning bid price (the buyer pays a 15% mark up to the company). We received a sizeable check which we then deposited to the in-laws checking account. Some items were donated to charity and two trailers were loaded to the dump. If you love your children, be proactive. I make it a point to go through my own home once a year and it is really liberating. I am always looking for new decluttering ideas to make the process better.

@jaynemarshall9304 11 ай бұрын

Thank you, Kay! This video was great! As I was 'growing up' and passing through various life stages, there was always the 'fantasy me' in the future who would do WONDERFUL, creative things... and I had 'the stuff' purchased and ready for when I retired! I retired about 10 years ago, and now I find I have to work to declutter that carefully saved stuff that I realistically will never use! We each need to sit down with our fantasy selves and have a heart-to-heart talk about the peace we desire NOW, that will only be achieved with our current home and goals! Thank you for your kind videos of encouragement!

@ingrid2543 11 ай бұрын

Same

@bonnigans8014 11 ай бұрын

The point about fantasy self has stuck with me from past videos lol. I had so much craft stuff and potential sewing projects I was holding onto, wanting to be that person, and then that woke me up like, you are not that person! And it’s ok, own it, and get rid of this stuff taking up valuable space. So thanks! I feel like I don’t hear anyone else talking about that reality

@galeocean4182 8 ай бұрын

I am wary of the one year rule. Here's why: some winters are colder than others. A coat I might wear all season, might only be worn a couple of times the next, and then used a lot another year. Also, sports equipment. Got rid of my skis and - you guessed it, met someone to ski with. Bought all new stuff. $$. 😊 love your vids

@loriegabidel 11 ай бұрын

For me, the key is giving myself a lot of grace with the maybe bin. I'm EXTREMELY sentimental, and if I have to make a hard yes or no decision, I will spend forever dithering and not make progress. For me, the best thing is to accept that I may have to do multiple rounds of decluttering for certain items. The decisions are actually easier for me later because I see how good I feel with the previous decluttering.

@PlantingAshley 11 ай бұрын

When you said “because my fantasy self is going to use it” that is so true and real

@zelliehtrue 11 ай бұрын

TIMESTAMPS for sections you want to refer back to - Intro / Deciding you need to declutter 00:01 to 02:35 What you need to declutter (tools, labels, prep, strategy) 02:36 to 04:35 Keeping jobs doable 04:40 to 09:05 What to do with your Maybe pile 09:16 to 10:14 Decluttering Traps (and how to escape them) 10:15 to 16:54 Remove items as soon as you can 16:56 to 18:05 Outro and Next Vid plans 18:06 to 18:28 Great vid. I'll be referring back to this as I work through decluttering some of my things. Thank you.

@nicoledixon1039 11 ай бұрын

Timestamps are so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post these.

@vienicestyles 10 ай бұрын

I donate everything I no longer want. It saves me time and my privacy isn’t violated. 💛

@ana419 6 ай бұрын

That "maybe" bin Is VERY important. I just got rid of a bunch of valuable things that I regret I didnt save to fix or sell.

@megbob 8 ай бұрын

This video showed up in my feed and I totally clicked because of your awesome shirt! Good tips, I need to keep hearing them to keep releasing more stuff.

@lisaschreiber2893 11 ай бұрын

OMGosh I am definitely the last one who worries about what will happen with the stuff. I generally only declutter certain items like holiday or seasonal stuff at that time of year because I am concerned about what will happen when it leaves my door 😏 the guilt. I find decluttering, recycling and throwing stuff away very therapeutic, but I am strategic which often slows my progress.😕

@celinaquiros9381 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the update! Decluttering can be a real chore, and tips are ALWAYS appreciated. I call my contingent pile "probation." I also like to play fun, high energy music to keep me motivated. The feeling when you're done is SOOO worth it! The misplaced bin -- yes!

@mickeyc3096 11 ай бұрын

This vlog showed up on my feed at the right time. I am feeling so overwhelmed with clutter. Some of it I can’t control. The hardest part for me is starting. I am not a newbie in this area. I just can’t seem to keep at it. Thanks!

@howmoon67 11 ай бұрын

Excellent talk. Declutter is a continuous process, not 1 and Done. . Ughhh. I need help with paperwork..

@heatherburrill 11 ай бұрын

You are SO not alone. My favourite way to tackle it to bring it back to manageable is doing it in 5 min increments. Because I dread it so much! It worked so well and surprisingly painless and quickly. Then as things come in I am careful that not a scrap of paper that is not important enters into my paperwork. Ever since I find it not as daunting. Good luck and know you are part of a huge club called “Ughhh Paperwork!”

@WJFK480 10 ай бұрын

A good rule is to get rid of things like receipts or anything your holding onto for tax purposes after seven years. I put each years paperwork in a plastic container and label it with the year, and when it's been seven years, I get rid of it. Also many things you have on paper can be replaced if you need it in the future. Scanning something into your computer works good too unless for some reason, you need or want the original (this is also great for sentimental items like letters or pictures kids draw for you, greeting cards etc. although saving it all to a disc or backing it up some other way is important in case your computer's hard drive breaks).

@aggravatedHart 11 ай бұрын

2 min in and I’m already overwhelmed just listening to her talk about getting rid of stuff.

@TheOrganizedSoprano 11 ай бұрын

YOU GOT THIS ❤️

@margohill3149 11 ай бұрын

I wonder if you'd have any advice for someone like me. Whenever I try to get rid of things when I know I have too many (say I have 25 of something -- quilting books, art books, paint supplies, socks, you name it) I go through them and can manage to get rid of 2. Only 2! Then I tell myself "Well, clearly you are not serious about this" and I feel bad. Just getting rid of 2 items is a drop in the bucket! Help?

@KlingonPrincess 11 ай бұрын

Maybe think of it this way. You are effectively getting rid of 10% of your stuff on the first pass. As you exercise your "declutter muscles" you might find you aren't as attached to more items and will be able to let go. I did a whole house declutter that took four months during lockdown. I'd work really hard for a day or two, take to the charity shop the next day, then have a rest day. I've continued to do small decluttering this entire year. Even craft items have become easier to let go of. I'm realizing I really don't use a lot of them but it takes time to get clarity. Best wishes!

@HeronCoyote1234 9 ай бұрын

Instant motivation: make a deadline. If you have a basement or garage that needs serious decluttering, schedule a junk removal company pickup. Think about, realistically, how long would it take you to declutter the area. A week? Two weeks? Whatever it is, add a week to that, because stuff happens. My basement was filled with just stuff, from moving in (9 yrs earlier) to inherited stuff. I told my friend and his son (who lived with me) the date of pickup, and told them that anything left behind was being thrown out. All they needed to do was pull out only what they wanted/needed. A couple of reminders were needed, but it worked.

@loriegabidel 11 ай бұрын

Also, you'd be surprised what people will take on a buy nothing group. I had a bunch of random plastic paper protectors that would have been trashed if I donated them. I put them on a buy nothing group and a teacher took them.

@karlyrothenberg347 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for doing an update Kay! I’ve been following you for such a long time, and I’m trying so hard to get my home in order one step at a time…my hubby has dementia and has been I’ll since 2003 so unfortunately our lives kind of stopped over 25 years ago. I ended up becoming the caregiver, the only income provider, the super hero, and queen bee of our lives back then, all while trying to keep my acting career and teaching career going. So needless to say it’s been difficult! We are now at a stage in his disease where labeling and organization are imperative in order for hubby to function. So I’m trying to do something even if it’s small…every day. But overwhelmed is my middle name! I wish you were in LA so I could work with you, but I am so grateful for your videos! Taxes and paper clutter are next on my list…EEK! Xo Karly😢😮😂❤

@Angela-ig4hy 11 ай бұрын

Hi Kay, Angela from VA. Thank you for this video. Today, I spent hours trying to find something I purchased at Home Depot a couple months ago; still haven’t found it.

@anniebeanie710 11 ай бұрын

Currently I try to imagine my fantasy self having enough money to buy whatever she needs when she needs it hence not needing me to packrat things for it .... And that it will be much happier with free space for whatever the future brings.

@lareelongtin5129 11 ай бұрын

Thank you, Kay, for some great decluttering tips!😀👍🏻 I'm always decluttering and trying to keep on top of it. It doesn't take long for things to accumulate.😬 Great video!✨️🩷✨️

@tinaf.7941 11 ай бұрын

This video is so timely, I am decluttering my house this holiday weekend and it is so challenging to get rid of items. Thanks for helping me with this today- I am writing down your questions and using them. Your video gives me hope that tomorrow's donation run will be a large one! 😃 Thanks so much Kay, btw, I am loving your second channel- appreciate the content.❤

@PurpleReign69 11 ай бұрын

My landlord is selling the house I've rented for quite sometime. I'm going to have to use these tips to get rid of things I've accumulated with extreme intentions. I'm thinking of an apartment instead of a house now.

@nicolegregory4429 11 ай бұрын

This is a very kind and sweet video. Nicely done! 💜👏💜 ~N

@kittycat77 11 ай бұрын

I just started decluttering yesterday. My problem is not to bring new stuff and storage containers. Love your videos. It just hits the spot.

@cindy_lou_loves_to_stitch 11 ай бұрын

I love the idea of the misplaced bin!! I get so distracted when I go from room to room! Great questions to ask ourselves! 🩷😊🌞 Thank you!!

@NoDecaf7 11 ай бұрын

Yes! This is a fantastic guide. Now the big question: How can I convince my partner to declutter without making it seem like I'm asking them to get rid of who they are, their fantasy self? 😅 I love ya babe, but those board games are duuuuusty! The best I've come up with is scheduling monthly Fantasy Self Time to hold ourselves accountable for using items that are just cluttering things up.

@lupitat6698 11 ай бұрын

Great idea .. the maybe 🤔 bin .. and items that don’t belong in the space I’m decluttering .. I don’t want to stop to think 🤔 or leave the project.. I get distracted.. thank you …

@rawcurls1 11 ай бұрын

That was great! Excited for the next video!

@kellyl7623 11 ай бұрын

just searched for this and wow cant believe this is uploaded 20 hours ago thank u!!

@TheOrganizedSoprano 11 ай бұрын

✨Timing 🤌🏾

@TeriLinWA 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for a very helpful video!! I always struggle with decluttering, especially things I've owned a long time or came from a deceased much loved family member. Sentimental clutter, family heirlooms (I'm the last of my original family), fantasy self, I might need that... um yeah. I decluttered a lot of things before our move, but our new-to-us house doesn't have as much closet, organization and storage space so I'm going in for another decluttering round now that we're here and I have a better idea of what can be used here and what probably won't be used. Also trying to put some organization systems in place. I have great success with the Maybe pile, especially for clothes. After I go through my clothes and have piles of Keep, Donate, Toss and Maybe, I look at the Keep pile to see what I have and then go back through the Maybe pile to see if there is something that is filling a need that I don't otherwise have. It helps me a lot and I find I feel better moving most, if not all, of the Maybe pile into the Donate pile at that point. Looking forward to the next video!!

@darleneshipe7120 11 ай бұрын

Another great video! Great tips and advise! Thank you!

@DeeLovelyLife 11 ай бұрын

Great info!

@yupperzsonson 11 ай бұрын

I have a lot of antiques, essentially heirlooms, from Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers, and I will 100% never use them and don't want them but my mom has expressed how upset she would be if I let them go. I will never have children and no one in a yonger generation who would be interested in them, and I hate having them around just to appease her, but I can't bring myself to get rid of them yet 😮‍💨 Also you're right, I will never paint with that water color stuff 😂

@jessicamonday7966 10 ай бұрын

I'm on board with this idea,

@heathermatthews7422 10 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@M-Joy 11 ай бұрын

This is great! We'll be decluttering when our movers bring the rest of our stuff!

@catherineanderson4642 9 ай бұрын

Hey that was super helpful! Many thanks 😊

@gillianhill4757 11 ай бұрын

Hi Kay some excellent tips! Also love your glasses! Xo

@jennifersimpson6385 11 ай бұрын

Thanks Kay! I was about to tackle a declutter effort (linen closet) and these were good reminders

@ingrid2543 11 ай бұрын

Nice video, I have four boxes go to charity on Tuesday, I use Green Drop they pick up and it goes to charities that sell it. Now purging my clear stamps and dies, other crafts going to the Girl Scouts.

@joycemitchell2092 11 ай бұрын

Great video!❤

@Babu-vp6kf 11 ай бұрын

Excellent video, thank you.

@scarletscorpiana8985 11 ай бұрын

Perfect for me as I am moving,

@texasmagnolia1113 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. It is so helpful. My closet is overwhelming and will use these tips to get started on a small section.

@lissetsanchez5316 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this informative video. You can definitely tell you are a pro! ☺

@TheOrganizedSoprano 11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@mariannedressler6784 11 ай бұрын

I’ve gotten better with dealing with my fantasy self!!!!

@jessicaquiroz7178 11 ай бұрын

I have old CPU towers I want to get rid of but I need to remove the hard drives first. How do I go about doing this? I have tried calling Best Buy but they said they won’t recycle until I remove the drives first. I have about 5 of these things.

@nikkitrb 11 ай бұрын

I have that same tee!! Love both your channels.

@BudgetsWithELMA 11 ай бұрын

Great video, super helpful video ❤👍😊

@lisascally7061 11 ай бұрын

Kitchen items, paperwork, and to a degree clothes are my hardest, basically in that order. I have kitchen prep items still in the box or plastic 6 to 18 months later. Specifically stuff like an instant pot and salad spinner. It’s a combo fantasy self and money issue. I’m gonna give myself till Jan to use them or donate. I’ve reduced drastically the paper coming in so that should help there just need to deal with the existing. Clothes, I have a friend that gives me tons on tons of nice clothes with no obligation to keep but the I need to go through them and let go off all that don’t fit or I won’t wear.

@dianaviera6228 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. 💜

@citychicdoc1596 11 ай бұрын

Great tips.

@freestyl2oo7 11 ай бұрын

I just found you. I need this! Is there a video about decluttering as you unpack into a permanent home from yearly moves for decades? I have stuff I kept because because I didn't know if I would need it in the next place.

@parkerrose3590 11 ай бұрын

I have decluttered many items in the past 10 years. There are some things I want to keep that were my late husband's .I'm just not ready yet to get rid of them. I have something my sister hand made me 20 years ago. It's a bed cover. I really hate it and never use it. I don't know what to do with it without feeling guilty. We live in different states so she will never know if it's gone.

@WJFK480 10 ай бұрын

"Accidentally" damage the bed cover then you can say it got damaged and you threw it out. Seriously though, I think she'd be surprised that you still had it.

@helenascribe210 11 ай бұрын

Ive downsized to a much smaller house and despite decluttering before the move, i still have alot of stuff. As an example, I have more clothes than closet but i love it all and i wear it all. ☹️

@user-en6wc4ro4r 11 ай бұрын

I think the maybe pile but put a time limit on it maybe 🤔 I’ll keep this but make use of it at least 10 times within the next 3 months

@olderendirt 11 ай бұрын

Good, gentle advice and ideas. However, if your gut, or God, seems to be telling you not to get rid of something listen to that. I almost pawned something I hadn't used in years that turned out to be worth much more many years later and I am so thankful I didn't part with it. Know thyself.

@onesmalloak 11 ай бұрын

Oh my gosh, I knew I recognised your voice. Now I have to restart the video so I can actually pay attention rather than deep dive into my watch history. I love decluttering, but Alexi is not as much of a fan 😆😉

@nancykaplan7163 11 ай бұрын

Why declutter? feeling overwhelmed cant's find "it' looking for things with frequency. piles have to be moved to find other things box, bag or piles. things to keep things to declutter. things misplaced to put away latter things you are not sure of Maybe and will decide at future date i

@vienicestyles 10 ай бұрын

Some people will hold on to things longer than they will hold on to people. Make it make sense.

@veroaquenoadivinas1168 11 ай бұрын

👍

@mymthegreyful 11 ай бұрын

Electronics ! I don't have a car and can't take them any where and whew ; they've piled up. I'll put out a call to see if someone will come scoop them up.

@bettyveronica9880 11 ай бұрын

Same! There are so many different recycling rules for everything. If you miss a community shred, ewaste, large item or hazardous materials waste, often you have to wait a long time for the next one. It’s challenging without a car.

@mymthegreyful 11 ай бұрын

@@bettyveronica9880 Just this quick some one has agreed to come haul it when they haul there own. It's not a big haul but it can't just go in the dumpster yanno ?

@SoliRhymesWithJulie 11 ай бұрын

Check to see if Junkluggers is in your area. They are amazing.

@sandraglassner9618 11 ай бұрын

Best Buy or office supply called them see if they will take it

@mymthegreyful 11 ай бұрын

@@sandraglassner9618 Yes; they do . I don't have a car and they are about a mile from the bus stop.

@irmabronder 11 ай бұрын

You only need God. The rest is unnecessary. If you want to spend the most time with God, you need as less stuff as possible. If cleaning takes long, declutter. It takes more than one time. I do it every time after a holiday that was longer than 1 week. You look what is used by you and others and the rest can go. I order a skip and I make a collection appointment with a charity shop. Every time there is a lot that can go. If my house doesn't stay tidy than I know we are still not there. Every time it is easier to let go of things. You can buy most things again, so let it go.

@Hstrohmdavis 11 ай бұрын

✨ My baby just turned one and at least one older person we see when we visit the grocery store smiles at us and says “ah, the good old days.” You are so right. Soaking it all in. 🤍🧸