The Ongoing Journey

My Journey to an Organized Home (And How You Can Do It Too!)

When my partner and I moved into our first place together—just the two of us, no roommates—it was nearly empty. We had a mix of hand-me-downs from family and the random collection of items we’d each accumulated over the years. Having both lived with roommates before, our belongings were a mismatched assortment of necessities and clutter.

We had a spare room back then, which became our catch-all storage space. It helped keep the rest of the apartment tidy—as long as we didn’t actually look inside! Then, six years into our relationship, we had our son, and with him came an avalanche of stuff. Baby gear, clothes, toys, furniture, gadgets—things he needed, things he never used, things he quickly outgrew. Suddenly, our spare storage room had to make way for a nursery, and with it, the clutter had nowhere to hide.

The Clutter Keeps Coming

Fast forward to today. We live in a different apartment, technically a townhouse, but with the same square footage. Now, instead of a spare bedroom, we use my grandma’s house for storage (thankfully, she has space). But the big question I’ve been asking myself over the past year is: Why do we have so much stuff?

This realization kicked off my never-ending journey of decluttering and organizing. At times, it feels obsessive—the more I work on it, the more clutter seems to bother me. I’m constantly picking things up, putting them away, sorting, donating, selling. Some days, I just want to get rid of everything and start fresh.

The Infamous Clutter Piles

One thing I’ve noticed is that I create clutter piles. While the downstairs stays neat and presentable, upstairs is another story. Right now, there are three bags of random things sitting by the railing, waiting for me to go through them. I’ve tried so many ways to keep clutter under control—moving things to storage, selling unused items, and donating what I can. Yet, no matter how much I declutter, new piles seem to appear out of nowhere.

What’s Worth Keeping?

Despite my mission to declutter, there are some things I choose to keep. Mostly baby essentials, in case we have another child. It’s crazy how much stuff kids need as they grow, and I know that holding onto a few key items will save us from rebuying everything later. But even with that in mind, I’ve donated, sold, or passed along so many things to friends—and there’s still more to sort through.

Tips That Have Helped Me Declutter & Stay Organized

If you’re also drowning in stuff and looking for ways to stay organized, here are some things that have helped me:

1. The “One-Year Rule” – If I haven’t used it in a year, I seriously consider letting it go (unless it’s sentimental or seasonal).
2. The “Touch It Once” Rule – Instead of setting something down to deal with later (aka creating a clutter pile), I try to put it where it belongs immediately.
3. Regular Purges – Every couple of months, I go through a different area of my home and remove things I no longer need.
4. Selling & Donating – I sell items in good condition and donate the rest. Knowing that something will be used by someone else makes it easier to let go.
5. Storage Bins & Labels – Keeping similar items together in labeled bins has made a huge difference, especially with kid-related stuff.
6. Mindful Purchasing – Before buying something new, I ask myself: Do I really need this? Do I have space for it? Will it add value to my life?
7. Set Boundaries for Storage – Having extra storage doesn’t mean I should use it as a dumping ground. If I don’t truly need it, I don’t keep it. I set limits on what I allow myself to keep.
8. Host a Yard Sale – Instead of holding onto things I no longer use, I set aside items for a yard sale. Not only does this help declutter, but it also brings in extra cash.
9. Use Facebook Marketplace & Local Selling Apps – When I have higher-value items, I list them on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or other selling apps. This has been a great way to clear space while making money.
10. The “Does It Spark Joy?” Test – Inspired by Marie Kondo, I ask myself if an item genuinely brings me happiness or serves a meaningful purpose. If not, it’s time to say goodbye.
11. The “Would I Buy This Again?” Rule – When deciding whether to keep something, I ask myself, If I didn’t already own this, would I spend money on it today? If the answer is no, it’s probably time to let it go.
12. The Box Method – When I’m unsure about an item, I place it in a box and set it aside. If I don’t need or miss it within a few months, I donate or sell it.

The Benefits of an Organized Home

Studies have shown that having a clutter-free and organized home can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. A 2011 study from the University of California found that people with cluttered homes had higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Less clutter also means spending less time cleaning and searching for lost items, giving you more time to focus on things that truly matter. Additionally, research suggests that an organized space can improve focus, boost productivity, and even encourage healthier habits.

The Ongoing Journey

Decluttering and organizing isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a continuous process. But the more I simplify, the easier life feels. Less stuff means less to clean, less to stress about, and more space to actually enjoy our home.

If you’re struggling with clutter, know that you’re not alone. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve you. Your future, less-cluttered self will thank you!