Create a Joyful Home: Get Started and Keep Going

Here are my favorite insights from minimalist experts and experience. 

Working as a professional home organizer feels like a dream come true. Cultivating more intentionality and spaciousness brings so much pleasure and satisfaction. Plus, less clutter creates more space in other realms of your life.  

Living with much less over the last decade continues to be one of the most valuable life approaches I use. Combining minimalism with mindfulness is heaven. I recently discovered the “Declutter Your Chaos” podcast with Amber Cammidge. She does an amazing job emphasizing the overlap for mindful minimalism. 

For now, I want to share a few of my favorite approaches for getting started and continuing your intentional home design journey. Much like meditation, even small steps forward can create a really positive ripple effect in your life.  

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When it’s time to take action, here are a few tips and approaches that have stuck with me over the years: 

Get Started: 

• Focus on one category at a time: Marie Kondo (and many experts) recommends this process. Whether it’s art supplies, wardrobe, or important documents, focus on one area at a time. You can create smaller categories too. Take everything out in a single category, make decisions, and then put things back in an orderly fashion. It’s that simple. 
• Start with needs and favorites: When decluttering a category, Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist, suggests starting with the question, “What do I absolutely need?” You pull those things out, then identify your favorites. With this approach, you’re more likely to let go of more items at a time. 
• Take baby steps: Letting go of things that aren’t working for you can be a surprisingly emotional process. It’s okay to put things in a “pending” box and set a time to revisit. I like to mark the date on the bag or box and set a reminder on my calendar. Let change happen at your own pace. 
• Look for big wins: Getting rid of my car has saved me so much money and given me so many opportunities for exercise, creativity, and simplicity. I get so many built-in workouts. Even getting groceries becomes an adventure. Anything taking up that much space, time, or energy should be worth it. 
• Clear out floor space: I try to keep only large furniture on the floor as a guideline. This approach makes spaces feel less cluttered. 
• Use the “20 x 20” rule: The Minimalists duo suggests letting go of things you aren’t using when you can replace them for less than $20 in under 20 minutes. This rule helps you feel more confident about letting go. Also, you can often use alternative objects as a substitute. Or, you can ask your neighbors, depending on the item. 
• “Just in case” usually means never: If I hear someone saying “Just in case,” I like to point that out and encourage them to either donate the item or at least choose the “pending” box. If you’re not using something, it feels good to gift that item forward. Trust that you’ll have what you need when you need it. 
• Try the “90-day” rule: Have you used this item in the last 90 days? If not, do you have specific plans to use it in the next 90 days? If not, consider that you probably do not need this item. That’s six months. If you’re using something that infrequently, then it’s likely just taking up space. 

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Keep Going: 

• Give everything a home: If it takes more than 30 seconds to find something, it’s probably in the wrong spot. When each item has a clear home, your space feels more orderly and peaceful. This tip definitely helps with shared items in shared homes. 
• Seek ongoing simplicity inspiration: You can easily find empowering YouTube channels, blogs, podcasts, or Facebook groups to connect with. I hung out with Courtney Carver and her daughter Bailey in the “Soul and Wit” podcast for a long time. I recommend it; they’re silly together and often inspiring. 
• Prioritize your favorite things: Whether it’s a hobby you love, a favorite outfit, or cooking tools, create more space for these things. I’ve noticed that the fewer items I own or commit to, the easier it is to care for those items. I get to enjoy the experiences more fully because I’ve created more space. 
• Consider alternatives: “What would I use if I didn’t have this?” Joshua Becker inspired me to push back on the statement, “I use this.” Maybe it’s a holiday-themed item that you use only once a year. If it brings so much joy, keep it with confidence. However, if you could easily use a different item for the same purpose, maybe pass that item along.  
• Celebrate wins along the way: Like many good habits, simplicity is about creating a more fulfilling lifestyle. Slowing down, being indulgent sometimes, and embracing self-compassion throughout the process makes it that much more enjoyable. Plus, you’re more likely to stick with habits you enjoy.
• Find your simplicity style: Every piece of advice is a suggestion or an invitation. Everyone’s journey will be incredibly personal and unique. Rather than comparing yourself to others, let people inspire you to create your dream home vision. You always know what’s best for you. 

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I’d love to hear where you’re at in your home decluttering and organizing journey. How do you feel about the concept of minimalism? Which approaches feel most resonant? 

As I continue expanding the creative content on my organizing services website, I plan to explore and answer your questions in more detail. 

Working one-on-one with people in their homes to create more joy feels like a beautiful journey. Given my research and journalism background, I already have so many curiosities to explore. 

For example, I’m curious to understand more neurodivergent impacts on home organizing. For example, what types of support or systems work best for people with ADHD? 

Also, how much of cluttered homes comes from nature versus nurture? I imagine more nurture, like the impacts of a capitalism-centric culture and all the marketing messages. I’m sure I can find research on this. How much of clutter is psychological versus spiritual? 

Also, I wonder about the best approaches for different people. Can you really just focus on creating momentum and use the snowball effect? Or sometimes do you just need to take a whole week or two and overhaul your entire home? Where is the middle ground for creating long-term home organization impacts? 

I plan to continue gathering research to share the most informed and valuable content here with you. If you’re in the San Francisco area and interested in support or are simply curious about a consultation for your home, I’d love to connect. You can book a free 30-minute session to chat about your home project and needs.  

Photo courtesy of author: my kitchen and dining room 

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