25 | The First Step We’re All Missing
Decluttering is often talked about as the first step in home organization—but what if I told you that there’s something even more important to do before you start?
Before you dive into decluttering, take a step back and ask yourself:
What do I want my home to feel like?
So many people start decluttering only to feel stuck or overwhelmed because they don’t have a clear goal for their space. Without knowing what you're working toward, it’s easy to fall into the trap of shifting things around instead of making real progress.
Why Intentionality Matters Before Decluttering
Instead of immediately sorting through items, take a moment to visualize your ideal space:
How do you want this room to function in your daily life?
What purpose does this space serve for you and your family?
What do you actually want to live here?
For example, do you want your living room to be a cozy gathering space for movie nights, or a clutter-free area for entertaining guests?
Should your kitchen be an efficient workspace where everything has a place, or a warm, welcoming spot for family meals?
When you define your goals, decluttering becomes so much easier. You’ll have clarity on what belongs in each space and what doesn’t, making decisions more intentional and less overwhelming.
Introducing…
The Decide Guide:
Your Room-by-Room Resource
Because having a clear vision makes all the difference, I created The Decide Guide: A Room-by-Room Resource to Declutter with Confidence.
This guide breaks your home into six main sections:
🛋️ Main Living Spaces
🛏️ Bedrooms
🛁 Bathrooms
📦 Storage Areas
👩🍳 Functional Spaces (Pantries, Mudrooms, Laundry Areas)
🌿 Outdoor Areas
Within each section, I’ve mapped out microspaces (like entryways and closets) and created reflective questions that help you determine what’s truly essential for that space.
These questions don’t have “right” or “wrong” answers—they’re designed to help you clarify what you want from your home so you can organize with purpose.
Declutter with Purpose, Not Just for the Sake of It
Too often, people skip straight to reorganizing before decluttering—which leads to wasted time, frustration, and a cycle of moving things around instead of making real changes.
But when you take a few extra moments to define the function of your space before you start decluttering, everything else falls into place.
Not only will this help you let go of things more easily, but maintaining an organized home will feel effortless—because your home will finally be set up to support the way you actually live.
So before you start that next decluttering project, ask yourself:
What do I want this space to do for me?
How do I want to feel when I walk into this room?
Does everything here serve that purpose?
And if you want extra clarity before getting started, The Decide Guide will walk you through these questions for every space in your home.
Because decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things—it’s about creating a home that truly works for you.
