Guest Column: Spring’s arrival is the perfect time to tackle clutter and free yourself to let things go

By EMILIE GLOCKNER

Your kitchen has just been cleaned, yet piles remain on your counters and it’s already starting to feel messy again. It might seem like a cleaning problem, but more often it’s a decision problem.

Surfaces tend to fill up when items don’t have clear homes or when you are unsure what to keep.

For example, you can find permanent homes for everyday items such as storing your box of tissues in a drawer, keeping dish soap and cleaning sprays under the sink, and placing supplements in the cupboard with your breakfast items.

Create Space for Essentials

Removing unnecessary items can transform a home almost instantly.

When you create white space, the open areas that allow a room to breathe, your home naturally feels calmer.

You don’t have to be a minimalist. You can own plenty of things and still have a peaceful home, as long as each item has a clear purpose and designated place.

How to Get Started

A great place to start is your kitchen counter, one of the most frequently used surfaces in the home. Clear it completely, then only return the items you truly use or need.

Next tackle a few cupboards and let go of items you rarely use. Sometimes, even after the kids have moved out, plastic cups and plates haven’t left the cupboards! I often find that most Tupperware collections can easily be cut in half once everything has been sorted. Free yourself of the guilt that comes with letting go of things you’ve spent money on, but rarely use.

Keeping unused items only adds clutter and quiet regret. Donating items to someone who can use them turns it into a positive, and if something must be thrown out, it’s better in the trash than taking up space in your home.

Another common source of clutter is shopping deliveries that pile up. It starts with being selective about what comes into your home.

Before making a purchase, try leaving the item in your online shopping cart for a week. You may find you don’t need it once the impulse has passed.

Anything you order should be dealt with immediately. For clothing, try it on, remove tags, and wash items as soon as they arrive. Clothes left with tags rarely make it into your regular rotation.

Handling packages promptly prevents accumulation and keeps surfaces clear.

Three Steps to Clear Clutter

If your space feels messy or disorganized, these steps are a great place to start.

1.) Evaluate what you own.Look particularly at items you rarely use. If you haven’t used them in the last year, consider letting them go. This helps you focus on what truly adds value.

2.) Give everything a place.Make sure each item has a home so surfaces stay clear and your home feels balanced.

3.) Handle new items immediately. Put away packages as soon as they arrive to prevent clutter from building up.

Let go of what doesn’t serve you and give the rest a home. When everything has a purpose and place, life at home feels simpler and more enjoyable.

— Emilie Glockner owns White Space Organized in the Beach, helping community members let go of clutter and enjoy lasting, organized calm. She can be reached at www.whitespaceorganized.com, email: emilie@whitespaceorganized.com