Plenty of people know they need to declutter but have no idea where to start. Decluttering coach @sociallykylie says that if you want an exact strategy, here it is: four simple steps, clean, sort, decide and donate. Her tone is firm and encouraging in equal measure, and her plan fits easily into any afternoon.
Her caption promises four simple steps and a strategy for decluttering your home, and she wraps up with a push to get up and get it done. Here is her full walk-through.
@sociallykylie
Step One: Clean, But Not Deep Clean
Walk into the room you plan to declutter and start by cleaning it. She is quick to add that she does not mean deep cleaning, because the goal is decluttering. Bring a trash bag, look around and ask what is obviously trash. Is there food? Are there wrappers? Empty water bottles? You do not need to make any decisions about those items. They just need to go in the trash.
That is where you start. Clean up for a minute, and you will already see more floor, more counter and more of the room.
Step Two: Sort Without Leaving the Room
Next comes sorting. Put clothes with clothes, books with books and cords with cords. She has one strict rule: you are not allowed to leave the room you are working in. No stopping to say that something needs to go in another room. If you find dishes, pile them in one corner of the room, and that is that.
The reason, she explains, is that you need to see everything that is in the room before moving on to the next step. Sorting based on whatever is on the floor and spread around lets you fully see what you own before you decide anything.
Step Three: Decide
Now look at all the items in front of you and decide whether you want them or not. She says this does not have to be hard. If you do not use it, if it does not fit, or if you do not like it, get rid of it.
She says plainly that you cannot maintain what is in your home right now, which is why you have to make the harder decisions. You are over capacity, she says, so you have to be strict. Ask yourself whether you want to redo this job later and end up back where you started, and be strict with what you allow into your home.
For the items you do keep, she offers an unusual image. Envision writing a contract with each one, telling it that it is allowed to take up space in your home and in your mind. This is not a game of “what if,” she says. The question is whether you need it and whether you use it. If not, goodbye.
Step Four: Donate Right Away
Whatever you decide not to keep does not get to sit in the back of your car for the next six months. Drive it somewhere to donate. Or post it on Facebook in one of the “buy nothing” groups and have people come pick it up.
Her summary is short and memorable: clean, sort, decide, donate.
Why This Order Works
Each of the four steps solves a specific problem that tends to stop people.
Cleaning first creates momentum
Removing visible trash takes minutes and requires no tough decisions. It builds instant progress, which makes the harder steps feel easier.
Sorting reveals the real quantity
It is common to be surprised by what comes out of drawers and closets. Seeing eleven pairs of scissors or forty coffee mugs side by side makes the decision clear in a way that a single item never does.
Staying in one room prevents the shuffle
Carrying things from room to room is how clutter travels without ever leaving. By finishing one room, you avoid creating a new pile somewhere else.
Deciding with strict questions ends the endless debate
Do you need it? Do you use it? Those two questions are quick and honest, and they leave less room for “maybe someday.”
Donating immediately closes the loop
A donation bag that stays by the door for weeks invites second thoughts. Moving it out right away makes the decision final and gives someone else the chance to use the item.
Tips for Doing This Plan Well
- Pick a single room and a start time. Treat it like an appointment and put it on the calendar.
- Gather supplies ahead. Have trash bags, a box for donations and a marker handy before you begin.
- Use a corner for strays. Dishes, laundry and items that belong elsewhere go in a pile in the corner, and they are put away at the very end.
- Take before and after photos. Seeing the progress can be wonderfully motivating.
- Plan the donation drop. Look up your local donation center hours and plan to go the same day, or schedule a pickup if one is available.
- Take breaks. A glass of water and a short rest keep you from burning out.
Using Local Groups to Pass Things On
She mentions buy nothing groups, which are neighborhood groups where people give away items for free. They can be a great option when your things are still in good condition. You post a photo, someone nearby claims it, and they come to your porch to pick it up. There is no haggling, no shipping and no trip to the store. It also feels good to know a neighbor will be using what you no longer need.
The Takeaway
The plan is not complicated, and that is part of its appeal. You do not need special tools or a big budget. You need a trash bag, a room and a willingness to be honest about what you use. Her final message is a firm one: this is extremely important, and it can change your life for the better. If you have been putting it off, pick a room today and start with step one.