I recently took an online decluttering course I had purchased a while back, and I’m honestly so glad I finally sat down and worked through it. The course featured seven expert speakers, all with different backgrounds, different personalities, and different ways to approach clutter—and the combination was powerful.
As I was taking notes, I kept thinking: I need to combine this and share what I learned. So today’s post includes the best tips from all seven experts, what I’m personally implementing, and why decluttering is so much deeper than simply “making your house look nice.”
🌿 Clutter Isn’t Just Physical — It Affects Your Mind, Mood, & Manifestation
One thing every expert touched on (directly or indirectly) is that clutter affects more than just your home.
It affects:
- your energy
- your decision-making
- your ability to rest
- your creativity
- your capacity to manifest
When your home is full of stagnant energy, unfinished projects, piles you keep walking past, or items you don’t even like… that energy transfers into your mind. Clutter represents decisions not made, tasks not done, and emotional weight not processed.
When you declutter, you create:
✨ space for clearer thinking
✨ room for new opportunities
✨ alignment with your goals
✨ energetic openness for manifestation
Decluttering is truly a form of energetic reset—a message to the universe that you’re ready for more.
🧹 PRACTICAL TIPS FROM THE 7 EXPERTS
Here’s everything I took from the course, broken down into simple steps you can start today.
1. Dana K. White: Declutter First, Organize Second
Dana’s approach is practical and pressure-free.
Her biggest lesson?
Declutter before you organize. More space is NOT the solution.
Key takeaways:
- Ask yourself: “If I needed this item, where would I look for it?”
That answer is its home. - Containers are limits, not storage solutions you endlessly buy.
- Declutter without creating a bigger mess:
→ go item by item
→ make a decision
→ take immediate action (no piles) - Start with the easy stuff: put away items that already have a home.
- If things don’t fit into the container or space you’ve designated, keep decluttering.
This alone was a game-changer.
2. Carli Sabo: 15 Minutes a Day
Carli’s method is simple but powerful:
- Declutter 15 minutes a day
- Make it part of your routine
- Keeping something “because you spent money on it” doesn’t bring the money back
- Staying clutter-free is a forever commitment, not a one-time project
She teaches that progress is made in small, steady steps—not weekend marathons that leave you overwhelmed.
3. Melanie Renee: Progress Over Perfection
Melanie reminds us:
- Start small—even a drawer counts
- You are not your clutter
- Perfectionism stalls progress
This is a mindset most of us need during the process.
4. Elizabeth Beam: Small Areas, Big Impact
Elizabeth’s system is clear and structured:
- Use a 15-minute timer to focus
- Decluttering isn’t one and done—maintenance matters
- 15 minutes a day = 2 hours a week
- Create a donation station
- Daily routines:
→ 10-minute evening reset
→ deal with mail immediately - Use the one in, one out rule
- Seasonal decluttering keeps things manageable
This is the approach I plan to adopt most consistently.
5. Julian Poplin: Don’t Start With Sentimental Items
Julian’s biggest message:
- Save sentimental items for last
- Decide before you start how many of each item you’re allowed to keep (ex: 10 mugs, 15 shirts)
Pre-deciding helps remove emotional overwhelm.
6. Alyson Robinson: Systems for the Whole Home
Alyson focuses on mental blocks and room-by-room strategy:
Overcome blocks by:
- Tackling one project at a time
- Decluttering first, then organizing
- Putting it on your calendar
- Telling someone for accountability
- Using the one-touch rule: keep, donate, or trash
Room-by-room highlights:
Bedroom:
- Clothes
- Shoes & accessories
- Nightstands (only essentials)
Bathroom:
- Daily routine products
- Everything shower items
- Storage & supplies
→ everything else goes
Kitchen:
- Non-pantry items first
- Arrange for ease of access
- Then pantry & fridge
- Keep counters clear
Office:
- Collect papers, books, random items
- Create systems
Entryway:
- Functional drop zone
Utility Closet:
- Sheet and towel organizers
Living Room:
- Baskets for blankets
- Simple mail system
Her approach feels like a full home reset.
7. Julia Ubbenga: Start Where You Feel Stress
Julia’s approach was deeply emotional:
- Start with the area that gives you the most stress
- Letting go is harder than expected—and that’s normal
- Keep only what supports your life right now
This reminded me that decluttering is emotional work, not just physical.
🌱 Final Thoughts: Come Along With Me
I’m starting this journey in my own home—with small areas, daily habits, fewer piles, and more mindful choices. Decluttering is not just about making a space pretty. It’s about creating the mental and energetic environment to support who you are becoming.
I’ll be sharing updates as I go, so if you’re decluttering too…
come along with me.
We can create calmer, lighter, more aligned spaces—one decision at a time.
Leave a Reply