The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Decluttering Your Home
Alright, bestie. It’s time. Declutter your home. Your apartment is crying for help. Socks are everywhere, your kitchen drawers are basically junk jungles, and let’s not even talk about that corner of your closet. But don’t panic – we’re tackling this together. Grab your beverage of choice (iced matcha latte, duh), put on your coziest sweats, and let’s declutter your life.
1. Set the Vibe
2. Break It Down
3. The Four-Box Method
4. The ‘One-Year’ Rule
5. Clothes
6. Digital Declutter
7. Sentimental Items
8. Styling Your Space
9. Maintenance Mode
10. Celebrate
1. Set the Vibe
First things first: this is not punishment, it’s a vibe shift. Light a candle or a palo santo wood, blast your favorite playlist (something that makes you feel like the main character), and open a window. We’re manifesting clean-girl energy today.
And let’s be real, no vibe is complete without a 🔥 playlist. So, here’s a curated mix to keep you motivated, calm, and slightly existential (in the best way) while you declutter.
Mini Task: Create a litt “declutter station” with trash bags, donation boxes, and a ‘keep’ pile.
2. Break It Down – Room by Room, Zone by Zone
Decluttering your entire apartment in one day? Babe, no. Start small. Think: one drawer, one shelf, one corner. Micro goals make everything less overwhelming.
Living Room: Focus on surfaces first—coffee table, shelves, random side tables.
Kitchen: Start with expired pantry items (goodbye 2019 spices).
Bedroom: Tackle your nightstand and then your closet.
Mini Task: Set a 2minute timer for each zone. No timer? You’ll lose three hours staring at old birthday cards.
3. The Four-Box Method (It’s Foolproof)
Get four boxes (or bags, or whatever’s closest):
Keep: You love it. You use it. It sparks joy (yes, Marie Kondo, we hear you).
Donate: Someone else will actually use this.
Sell: If it’s valuable, snap a pic and list it online immediately.
Trash: It’s broken, expired, or straight-up useless.
Mini Task: No second-guessing. The first instinct is usually right.
4. The ‘One-Year’ Rule – Be Honest
If you haven’t used, worn, or thought about it in the past year, it’s gotta go. Exceptions: sentimental keepsakes or that one super-specific kitchen gadget you swear you’ll use… someday.
Mini Task: Ask yourself: “Would I buy this again today?” If the answer is no, it’s time to part ways.
5. Clothes – The Emotional Battlefield
This one hurts. We get attached to clothes in weird ways. But you have to be brutal. Keep what makes you feel like a 10/10. The rest? Thank it for its service and let it go.
Mini Task: Build three outfits you actually love from your closet. If an item doesn’t fit into those, reconsider.
6. Digital Declutter (Yes, This Counts)
Oh, you thought we were done? Babe, your phone is a disaster. Delete blurry photos, unsubscribe from those 37 email newsletters, and clear out your downloads folder.
Mini Task: Organize your apps by category and delete the ones you haven’t opened in months.
7. Sentimental Items – Save These for Last
This is where things get… emotional. Photos, letters, old concert tickets—they deserve time and care. Don’t rush it.
Mini Task: Create a ‘Memory Box.’ Keep it small, intentional, and curated.
8. Styling Your Space – The Fun Part
You’ve worked hard. Now make your space feel ✨intentional✨. Display your favorite books, fold your blankets neatly, and let your furniture breathe.
Mini Task: Rearrange one corner of your space. Even a tiny change feels fresh.
9. Maintenance Mode – Declutter Lite
Newsflash: Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing. Set a weekly 10-minute ‘reset’ ritual. Trust me, future-you will thank you.
Mini Task: Every time something new comes in, something old goes out. No exceptions.
10. Celebrate the Win 🎉
Look at you! You did it. Your apartment feels lighter, brighter, and probably smells better too. Now, flop on your couch, take a big sip of your drink, and bask in the glory of a job well done.
Mini Task: Take a photo of your space and text it to a friend. Flex a little—you earned it.
And that’s it, babe. Decluttered, refreshed, thriving. Now go enjoy your newly organized space, and remember: less stuff, more peace. 🫶✨