Is your life overflowing with stuff? Even if your belongings have ‘homes’ and you know where to find them, does the sheer volume feel overwhelming? Drawing on more than thirty years of working with clients and my own life experience, I’ve seen how the accumulation of stuff happens. It’s a slow (and sometimes not-so-slow) creep of collecting. 

One day, you look around and wonder:

• Where did all this stuff come from?

• Do I still need these things?

• Are they taking up too much space, management time, and mental energy?

• Is all this stuff necessary for the life I’m living now?

• What will happen to my belongings when I’m gone?

• What would life feel like with less?

• What would it feel like to align what I own with the life I’m living?

There are many ways to think about clutter and the physical items that accompany your life. Let’s look at three reasons why decluttering sooner rather than later could benefit you. If even one idea resonates with you, it could be the cue and motivation you need to begin the decluttering process.

3 Compelling Reasons to Declutter Now Instead of Waiting

1. 300,000!

A frequently cited statistic in the organizing industry and media is the number of things we accumulate. Estimates suggest that the average American household may contain hundreds of thousands of items. The number often cited is 300,000. That’s a lot of stuff!

Whether that’s your number is a separate question. I don’t know what our household number is. Out of curiosity, I counted some objects in a few areas, and I was surprised by what I found:

• 778 – Number of items in the bedroom clothing closet, including clothes, hangers, shoes, shoe boxes, and some accessories. We have additional clothes and shoes in the dressers and other areas.

• 289 – Number of items in the dining room china cabinet. We have more dishes in the kitchen.

• 49 – Number of items in the desk pen cup. I have many more writing instruments in other areas and in the supply cabinet.

The 1,116 items counted so far represent only a tiny portion of what we have in our household. I'm not sure whether we actually own 300,000 items. The idea is to recognize what you have and align it with what you want, need, and use.

By focusing on specific areas and doing a quick count, I spotted several things that could go. For instance, I don’t like all the pens that have landed in the pen cup—time to declutter. Even in the china cabinet, there are several dishes I don’t want that could go. While I regularly go through my clothing closet, more could be edited out.

Being aware of how much you have will help you declutter the things that no longer matter or are not useful to you.

2. Yikes!

Clutter can cause stress and affect your ability to focus. My clients have described how clutter affects them as,

• “I have so much clutter I can’t even think.”

• “I don’t want to feel overwhelmed by my stuff.”

• “The clutter is distracting, and I can’t focus.”

• “Clutter makes me feel agitated and angry.”

• “I don’t want to feel clutter-related stress and anxiety.”

Research backs up the experience my clients describe. UCLA Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF) conducted research and discovered that “cluttered home environments were associated with elevated cortisol levels – especially among women who described their homes as chaotic or stressful.” Cortisol is the hormone produced as part of the body’s stress response.

Neuroscience research on cognitive overload and attention, including Princeton University’s work, shows that visual clutter, or “competing visual stimuli,” reduces the brain’s ability to focus and process information efficiently.

Knowing how clutter can affect your stress, attention, and functioning makes a compelling case for decluttering sooner rather than later.

“Clutter can cause stress and affect your ability to focus.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

3. For love.

Recently, I came across an Instagram video featuring Alice D’Antoni Phillips, a psychologist-turned-chef. She discussed the emotional struggle of letting go of sentimental items while downsizing. Alice also described letting go as “an act of care.” She didn’t want to burden her loved ones with decisions about her stuff after she’s gone.

Then she said a beautiful phrase that stuck with me. It’s so gentle, compassionate, and loving. Alice said, “Easing the path of life for the people you love.” In that, she acknowledged that we’re all going to be gone at some point. We are born. We live. We die. That’s the reality.

The other part was about making it easier for the people you love by handling your stuff before you go. Making decisions and decluttering now are expressions of love.

It’s never too soon to start decluttering. Your loved ones will thank you.

Why Declutter Now?

There are countless reasons to declutter now, without delay. Some might be:

• Your clutter is causing undue stress.

• You have more things than you use, need, or want.

• You want to make decisions about your belongings so your loved ones don’t have to after you’re gone.

• You want to downsize and prepare to move.

• You’re fed up with all the stuff.

• You want greater clarity of mind and in your space.

What are your compelling reasons to declutter? What is motivating you? Which ideas resonate most? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed or disorganized? Is the clutter in your life causing stress and keeping you from living the life you want? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Decluttering, getting organized, and living with more ease are possible, especially with support.

What’s not to love about shortcuts? They aren’t always equally effective. However, when you find one that helps you reach your desired goal more quickly and is less taxing on your brain, that’s a good thing.

Recently, I read an article in Real Simple about interior designer Young Huh and how to create spaces that feel calm. Huh just published a new book, A Mood, A Thought, A Feeling. When starting work on a room, Huh asks a simple question,

“What can I take out?”

Her philosophy encourages you to remove what doesn’t belong and surround yourself with what feels calming and peaceful.

Huh’s question caught my attention. I thought about how helpful it could be during the editing, letting go, and organizing process. There are many ways to approach getting organized. One method is to identify what doesn’t belong, or what you no longer need or want. Or, as Huh says, “What can I take out?”

Spring’s arrival prompts me to clear the landscape and make room for the blooms. What can you let go of to create space for calm and growth?

Letting Go Starts with Removing Things

Less Clutter, Less Noise

Often, I hear clients describe their environment as:

• “My house is filled with too much clutter.”

• “There is so much clutter, I can’t even think.”

• “I can’t find anything because the things I want and don’t want are jumbled together.”

• “The clutter paralyzes me.”

• “I feel chaotic because of the clutter and disorganization in my home.”

Do any of these statements resonate with you? If so, consider asking yourself Huh’s powerful question: "What can I take out?”

This question is a good starting point.

“What can I take out?”

— Young Huh

More Great Letting Go Questions

Not all questions work for everyone. If Huh’s “take out” question doesn’t resonate with you, consider some alternatives, which you can find in my article: 21 Questions to Exercise Your Letting Go Muscles.

A few of my favorites are:

• Has it overstayed its welcome?

• Is it worth the real estate, energy, and maintenance?

• Does it support your current needs?

• What will become possible for you when you let go?

Releasing the Stuff

Are you ready to start letting go? If so, here’s a method to try.

• Choose a room to work in.

• Gather boxes and trash bags. These will help you easily sort what’s being removed from that space.

• Label and set up those containers for > Belongs Elsewhere > Donate > Trash > Recycle.

• With the question in mind, “What can I take out?" start in one corner or area of the room.

• Focus on releasing items you no longer want or that belong elsewhere. Place items into their designated sorting containers.

• After you finish one area or surface, move on to the next.

• Repeat until the room has been decluttered.

• Route the items you let go of to their ‘homes.’

• Return to the room and notice how it feels. Does your space feel different? What are you noticing?

What Does Less Feel Like?

When you let go of things that no longer serve a purpose or belong elsewhere, the energy in the space begins to shift. This, in turn, influences how you feel when you're in that environment. Our possessions affect our space, time, and mental clarity. Releasing excess items helps you feel calmer, more focused, and less distracted.

Which ideas resonate with you the most? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed or disorganized? Do you want to let go of the unnecessary but feel stuck or unsure where to start? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Letting go and getting organized are possible, especially with support.

Enjoy the latest edition (v54) of the “What’s Interesting?” series, which features my most recent finds that inspire, spark curiosity, and relate to organizing and life balance. These unique next step discoveries reflect this month’s blog theme.

You are an engaged, vibrant, and generous group. I am deeply grateful for your ongoing presence, positive energy, and contributions to this community. I look forward to your participation and further contributions to this curated collection.

What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? – 5 Best Next Step Discoveries

1. Interesting Read – Compassionate Next Step

Recently, a client shared with me a book she was reading, How to Keep House While Drowning – A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by therapist, author, podcaster, and speaker KC Davis, LPC. I was curious, so I read it, too.

The ideas resonated deeply with my client, who appreciated the realistic, kind approach to organizing and care tasks that encouraged gentle next steps. One of KC’s philosophies is “You don’t exist to serve your space; your space exists to serve you.”

How often do you feel like your stuff is running you? KC helps shift the perspective and offers advice for “how to care for ourselves when we feel like we are drowning.”

From practical organizing and cleaning tips to kinder self-talk, KC shares personal experiences of what has worked for her and others. She describes care tasks (laundry, cooking, cleaning, organizing, etc.) as neutral rather than a moral failing, even when they challenge you.

KC describes her own perspective shift and says, “Let me tell you what the mess in my home means. It means I’m alive. Dirty dishes mean I’ve fed myself. Scattered hobby supplies mean I am creative. Scattered toys and mess mean I am a fun mom…And occasionally, mess means I’m struggling with depression or stress. But those aren’t moral failings either, and neither is that moldy coffee cup I keep not taking to the kitchen.”

A few additional reframes KC offers include:

• “Chores > care tasks”

• “Chores are obligations. Care tasks are kindness to self.”

• “Cleaning > resetting the space.”

• “Cleaning is endless. Resetting the space has a goal.”

• “It’s so messy in here! > this space has reached the end of its functional cycle.”

Filled with personal struggles and compassionate solutions, KC guides us on a journey toward reducing self-criticism and guilt, and finding more peace at home, one step at a time.

2. Interesting Perspective – Restful Next Step

It’s easy to overlook your needs. Do you find yourself pushing, doing, scheduling, organizing, and constantly in motion? There is a reason we call ourselves human beings, not human doings. ‘Being’ involves both action and rest.

A recent Real Simple article featured a Swedish tradition called “fredagsmys” that beautifully encourages a balance between work and relaxation. The translation means “cozy Friday” or “Friday coziness.” This marks an intentional shift from the workweek to a relaxing weekend. Fredagsmys embodies connection, relaxation, and comfort. It is practiced by spending Friday night at home with your family or friends, watching movies, relaxing, eating, connecting, and being cozy with soft blankets and low lighting.

If you find yourself constantly pushing, adding some fredagsmys into your week could be the next step you need. But if that feels too big and challenging, find other smaller ways to build in rest and no-stress moments. Baby steps.

Before you know it, you’ll be ready for an entire night of relaxation, connection, and calm.

3. Interesting Product – Organized Next Step  

As the clocks just moved ahead an hour for the annual ‘spring forward,’ this signals that the season is about to change. Another sign is the greenery emerging from the ground. The plants are happy to see the light after being buried under piles of snow.

With that spring lens in mind, I came across this lovely butter-yellow or “yellow pear” steel rolling storage cart with a wood top. It’s a limited- edition collaborative design created by Yamazaki and Apartment Therapy.

If you need additional storage space with easy access for kitchen essentials like spices, oils, pasta, or snacks, this slim rolling cart (5” deep x 18” wide x 27” tall) will fit into the smallest spots.

This storage cart will make it easy and fun to organize your essentials.

“You don’t exist to serve your space; your space exists to serve you.”

— KC Davis, LPC

4. Interesting Resource – Capture Next Step

With over thirty years of helping clients declutter, let go, and get organized, I’ve seen firsthand how belongings hold meaning. This is one reason why letting go can be challenging.

Artifcts founder Heather Nickerson developed an app-based service that helps you record stories and memories about meaningful items and share them securely with loved ones. Documenting each item’s story can be key to letting go of the physical object.

The easy-to-use app helps you add photos, videos, audio recordings, and notes. You can document “what an item is, why it matters, and what should happen to it next.” This is an invaluable tool when you’re “organizing, downsizing, or planning your legacy.”

Heather’s inspiration for launching Artifcts came after her mother’s death. She inherited her mom’s possessions but really wanted to know the stories behind them. However, her mom was no longer there to share those stories. Artifcts helps you “preserve the meaning behind the objects that speak to who we are and where we’ve been.”

If you want your next step to include memorializing and letting go, this app is worth exploring.

5. Interesting Thought – Tiny Next Step

When your next step feels overwhelming, it might be too large. There are several ways to move forward. The first is to reduce the overwhelm. When you’re emotionally heightened, the amygdala takes over and blocks access to the thinking and action parts of the brain.

One strategy is to do some simple breathing.

• Breathe in deeply through your nose.

• Exhale through your mouth longer than the inhale.

• Repeat that several times.

Your system will settle and calm, giving you the capacity to choose what happens next.

Once you’re in a less anxious state, take the next step by making it as small as possible. This helps prevent feeling overwhelmed. For example, instead of deciding that the next step is decluttering the entire kitchen, choose to declutter one corner of the kitchen counter. If that feels too overwhelming, focus on decluttering a small pile or simply removing items that are being routed elsewhere.

After completing that tiny step, you can choose to continue or stop. If you decide to do more, repeat the process and pick another tiny next step. Small and doable is better than big and paralyzing.

Next Step Options

When you want to move forward but feel stuck, what will help? There are many approaches and ways to consider next, as I shared with you.

Which of these discoveries resonates most? Do you have any next step ideas to add? I’d love to hear your thoughts and invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disorganized? Is figuring out your next step feeling elusive? I’m here to help. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Moving forward and getting organized are possible, especially with support.

This is a wonderful time to reflect on the past twelve months before the new year begins. In 2025, we had emotional, enriching, and deep conversations on the blog.

We walked together, shared tumultuous times, made exciting discoveries, and navigated life balance. In our free-flowing exchanges, insights, new perspectives, and hope emerged.

Meaningful Conversations

Our conversations about life balance, change, clutter, letting go, time management, motivation, organizing, hope, and more brought comfort, connection, learning, and joy.

Thank you for being part of this community. You inspire me to show up, write, think, and engage.

Deepest Gratitude

I am profoundly grateful for your thoughtful words and generous sharing. Based on your comments this year, I curated twelve of my favorite insights from you. Thank you, Diane Quintana, Ellen Delap, Hazel Thornton, Janet Barclay, Jill Katz, Jonda Beattie, Julie Bestry, Kim Tremblay, Melissa Gratias, Sabrina Quairoli, Seana Turner, and Yota Schneider.

You are consistent voices and participants who bring our conversations to life. I am grateful to you and to everyone who reads the blog, contributes to our discussions, or shares the posts. You infuse this community with hope, humor, curiosity, perspective, and learning.

Enjoy the year in review, one quote at a time!

12 Inspiring Quotes from Our Conversations This Year That Will Make You Feel Hopeful

1. Fresh Start | 3 Ways to Take a Slow Exhale & Refocus Energy for a New Fresh Start

“Giving yourself permission to downshift, reset, and refresh is the best way to pave the way for the next project.”

— Ellen Delap

2. Embrace Change | One Clarifying Question to Help Embrace Change in Your Life

“Change can be hard. Focusing on one small thing at a time can help.”

— Kim Tremblay

3. Next Step | How to More Easily Approach the Next Thing by Not Imposing Toxic Preconditions

“I was just in the middle of talking myself out of doing something because of uncertainty. Okay, time for a deep breath and some rational thinking.”

— Melissa Gratias

4. Letting Go | One Fun and Informative Letting Go Exploration with Organizing Colleagues

“People are more likely to let go of items if they know they are going to a good place.”

— Jill Katz

5. Clutter | 7 Inspiring Resources to Quickly Motivate You to Declutter Now

“Focusing only on the next step keeps me from becoming overwhelmed by decluttering and other large projects.”

— Janet Barclay

6. Time Management | How a Helpful Productivity Reframe Makes More Time for Fun

“As for productivity, no, it isn’t a dirty word, but neither is setting it aside for a while. I get a lot of satisfaction from completing my to-do list and from giving myself to the activities that soothe my spirit.”

— Yota Schneider

7. Motivation | 7 Powerful Motivation Quotes to Make You Feel Inspired When You Need a Boost

“Waiting to feel motivated never works for me. It’s more like I start, and then the motivation catches up.”

— Seana Turner

8. Enlisting Help | Here Are 5 Most Interesting and Best Finding Help Discoveries – v51

“I have my people to call for different types of help – the ones who just let me vent, the ones who want to help me brainstorm and plan, and the ones who are on my doorstep almost immediately. ”

— Jonda Beattie

9. Virtual Organizing | 5 Focused Ways a Virtual Professional Organizer Can Help During a Move

“Virtual organizers can pull out the essential steps and manage them, helping the client feel more in control of their time during this stressful moment.”

— Sabrina Quairoli

10. Possibilities | What Becomes Immediately Achievable When You Get Out of Your Own Way?

“I love reframing! One of my favorites is this: Instead of thinking ‘I’m anxious,’ or nervous to do something, think ‘I’m excited!’ to do it.”

— Hazel Thornton

11. Wonderfully Human | 5 Life Lessons I Learned About Patience and Promising Progress

“Tolerating discomfort, in particular, means that waiting is so much easier when you can focus on the fact that any uncomfortable situation is temporary. ”

— Julie Bestry

12. Life Balance | How to Nurture Joy, Reduce Anxiety, and Bring Balance to the Holidays

“I love the idea of embracing fun! It’s easy to get bogged down by the minutiae and to forget to look outside our to-do list and notice things around us.”

— Diane N. Quintana

Past Reflections and Future Possibilities

What was most significant to you this year? Which quote resonates most? What do you want to focus on in the New Year? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Let’s make 2026 a fabulous year! Do you want support in creating a better balance, letting go of what no longer serves you, or getting more organized? I’m ready to help. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward - Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized is possible, especially with support.

I wish you a happy, healthy, organized, and joy-filled New Year!