Declutter Boot Camp: Tough Love Tips for a Clutter-Free Home

Welcome to Clutter Boot Camp. This is decluttering with grit, intention, and maybe a tiny bit of yelling (in a good way).

If your home has a “maybe later” pile the size of Mount Laundry, or you’re dodging piles of paper like landmines, it’s time to suit up. Let’s clear the chaos and reclaim your home, one room at a time.

Why Decluttering Matters (It’s Not Just About the Stuff)

Let’s get real: clutter isn’t just physical. It’s emotional baggage disguised as unopened mail, kitchen gadgets, and pants that haven’t fit since 2004. It drains your energy, fogs your brain, and keeps you stuck in stress mode.

Your home should support you, not sabotage your sanity.

So if you’re ready to trade in excuses for action, grab a timer, a trash bag, and a donation box. This is your mission.

Bathroom Boot Camp

Let’s begin where you’re supposed to get clean—the bathroom.

Ask yourself:

Why are there five half-used toothpaste tubes?

Do you really need that crusty hair product from 2009?

Is your shower a science experiment?

Decluttering Tip: Every month, do a bathroom sweep. Toss expired products, clean out drawers, and give your shower a glow-up.   Your bathroom should say “spa retreat,” not “moldy mystery zone.”

Kitchen Chaos

This is the room where you have to think function over storage.   That means making things easy to access, having clear counters (remember flat surfaces are hot lava) and creating designated zones in your kitchen.  (like a coffee area, or lunch making station) This will ensure the room stays tidy and making meals will become easy!

Strategic Kitchen Decluttering Plan:

The 90-Day Rule: Haven’t used it in 3 months? It’s out.

Deadbeat Duplicates: Get rid of duplicates (seriously…one can opener is plenty, friend.)

Only Keep Countertop MVPs: Your countertops are prime real estate so that means ONLY the items you use on a regular basis gets put here.  The rest needs to be put away.

Want more tips for organizing your kitchen like a PRO?   Click HERE. 

Paper Clutter

Drowning in paper? You’re not alone.

There’s not need to make it complicated with 18 file folders and color codes.   Instead, the key is to keep it simple and actionable. The goal?  Reduce mental load and easily find what you’re looking for.

Tips for decluttering paperwork without losing your mind:

Stick to 3 Categories Only:

Important (take action now)

Less important (need to keep but not something you need to look at often…think taxes, warranties)

Trash (flyers, junk mail—just toss it!)

Closet Chaos

Your closet should be filled with clothes that make you feel good now—not ones that whisper guilt every time you open the door.  Every piece should fit your life right now—not your past career, your clubbing days, or your fantasy Pilates self.

Clothing Decluttering Strategy:

Hanger Flip: Turn all your hangers backward. After 6 months, donate what’s still turned.

Say Goodbye to Bullies: Aspirational clothes that don’t fit? They’re mean and do nothing but make you feel bad about yourself – it’s time to let them go.

Honor the Everyday: If you wouldn’t wear it to the mailbox, maybe it doesn’t deserve closet space.

Sentimental Clutter

You’re not heartless for letting go of your child’s macaroni art from 1998.  Sentimental clutter sneaks in quietly and demands premium space in your life.  You don’t need to hold on to things out of guilt.

Ask yourself:

Is there a story behind it?

Do I actually care about this item?  Will my great-grandkids care?

If the answer’s no, snap a photo and let it go.

Another way to deal with sentimental clutter is to create a memory bin for each family member.   This is basically a box or basket where you can choose to keep the very best mementos (and you only get the one box)   The idea is that you’ll now have a dedicated space where you keep the best and release the rest.

Digital Decluttering

Is your inbox filled with 10,000 unread emails?  Is your phone screen something that looks like Tetris?  This  isn’t just digital clutter—it’s brain clutter.

A few quick tips to help you with a Digital Detox :

Take all your emails and archive them (yes, all of them). It’ll free up your inbox (while still being able to access them if you need to ) and you can start fresh.

Delete unused apps.  Take a hard look at the apps on your phone – are there games  your kids played when they were little?, do you have apps you downloaded and never used?  Time to delete them!

Review your subscription services and cancel any random subscriptions (like that meditation app you haven’t opened or the duplicate app you didn’t realize you were double paying for).

If you take 15 minutes each week to keep your tech tidy –  you’ll feel instantly calmer.

Kid Clutter

From stuffed animals breeding like rabbits to broken toys “for later,” kid clutter steals space and creativity.  Try toy rotation to keep things fresh and reduce mess. Less stuff = more creativity and calm for everyone.

Kid Space Rules:

If it’s broken or missing pieces—it’s out.

If they haven’t played with it in 2 months—it’s probably not a fave.

Don’t keep toys for your memories.

Outdoor Clutter

Did you know that outdoor clutter signals danger to your brain?  It’s science that a messy outdoor space = unsafe.  Your yard should be a place of peace, not a wasteland of cracked pots and faded pool noodles.

Backyard Decluttering Tips:

Walk the perimeter and ditch anything that’s broken or doesn’t really add to your enjoyment of the space

Ditch moldy chairs and pillows

Here’s a tip: if you take a photo of your space…you’ll be able to spot eyesores more easily. 😉

Here’s the truth: decluttering isn’t a one-time job. It’s like vacuuming—you’ve got to do it regularly.  Just set a timer for 10 minutes a day and start somewhere.

Be tough, be fierce, and most importantly—be kind to yourself.  You’ve got this, warrior.

Tired of Mess and Clutter in Your Home?

It’s time for some tough love decluttering motivation!   Check out my 30-Day Organizing Boot Camp for daily challenges that will transform your home (and your mindset). It’s just $1 a day and comes with a full money-back guarantee.

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