Decluttering Feels Easier With Help—and What That Says About Us

“Why is this so much easier when you’re here?”

I hear this all the time from clients. Usually as we’re knee-deep in a pile of mismatched Tupperware lids or debating whether 17 pairs of black leggings is a reasonable number. It’s not that I’m folding shirts with magical efficiency (though I do fold a mean rectangle); it’s that having someone else in the room makes the process feel possible.

Decluttering and organizing can be emotional, overwhelming and, let’s be honest, surprisingly existential. You start out organizing your sock drawer and end up questioning your life choices. That’s why a little accountability (and a lot of gentle support) goes a long way.

When someone is there to witness your decisions without judgment, you’re more likely to follow through. Left to our own devices, we tend to do one of two things: freeze in indecision or procrastinate.

I’m not there to make you toss everything. I’m not a minimalist and I won’t force you to be either. I’m there to help you decide, with clarity and confidence, what deserves space in your life, and what can be released with gratitude. This is your journey. I’m just along to help.

“But What If I Need It Someday?”

Ah, the rallying cry of the anxious declutter-er.

Here’s the thing: If I had a dollar for every “just in case” item I’ve seen shoved in the back of a closet, I’d have enough money to buy myself new organizing bins. In gold.

The fear of needing something “someday” often masks a deeper fear: fear of lack, fear of regret, or fear of making the “wrong” decision. We imagine a hypothetical future where we’ll desperately need that old phone charger for a model we haven’t owned since 2011, and in that imagined scenario, we are doomed without it.

Honestly, some of you are incredibly creative when it comes to dreaming up those what-if scenarios. Suddenly, that zucchini noodle maker becomes the one gadget standing between you and kitchen disaster. When that conversation comes up, I like to gently ask: “When was the last time you actually needed this?” (Answer: once, several years ago.) And, “If that situation came up again, is there something else you already have that could do the job?” (Yup, your trusty veggie peeler will do just fine.)

Almost always, the answer is yes, you can use something else. And even if not, the mental space and clarity you gain by letting go is often worth far more than the item itself. Let it go and stop letting it take up valuable mental bandwidth.

“But I Paid Good Money for That!”

This one’s tricky. Our brains love to cling to things we spent money on, even if they’re gathering dust. It’s called the sunk cost fallacy. The idea that we need to keep something because we already invested in it, even if it’s no longer serving us.

But here’s a gentle truth: You already paid for it. Keeping it in your home doesn’t get your money back, it just keeps you feeling stuck.

Letting go doesn’t mean the purchase was a mistake. It might have served a purpose at the time. Maybe you learned something. Maybe your style changed. Maybe you were trying to fill a different kind of need. That’s okay.

When you release something with intention, you reclaim more than just shelf space. You reclaim peace of mind. And isn’t that a better return on investment?

Decluttering isn’t about becoming a Pinterest-perfect person with an alphabetized pantry (though, if that’s your dream, I’ll warm up the label maker). It’s about creating a space that supports your life, not a storage unit for your past or a museum of your regrets.

When we let go of the things that weigh us down (whether it’s a designer handbag that never left the closet, a juicer that only ever juiced once, or an overflowing inbox of unread newsletters), we make room for what truly matters: ease, clarity, joy.

And sometimes, that process is just easier with a cheerleader by your side. Someone to ask the right questions, keep the energy going, and remind you (with love and maybe a laugh) that you don’t need to keep broken headphones just in case.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your stuff, paralyzed by decisions, or guilty about past purchases, you’re not alone. None of this makes you a failure. It makes you human.

The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Whether you call in a professional or just invite a friend to sit with you while you tackle your wardrobe, accountability can turn “maybe someday” into “finally done.”

And yes, I’ll always celebrate when you let go of that third salad spinner. Progress is progress.

Happy Tidying!