Clutter: A Relic of a Life You No Longer Live

Why Decluttering Became Necessary

Last May, I set out to declutter my home — not just to create space but to clear my mind and invite new ideas. Somewhere along the way, I had crossed a line between collecting memories and being buried under them. They say we spend the first two-thirds of our lives acquiring things and the last third figuring out how to get rid of them. That felt painfully true. Every closet and cabinet were packed with the stuff I rarely used because I couldn’t get to them. The clutter was closing in, and I started to feel claustrophobic and depressed.

Downsizing Isn’t Always Enough

I have experience downsizing. When my husband died, I left a large home on two acres for a mid-size house with a small yard. Then, I downsized to an even smaller patio home. With each downsize, I got rid of things, but I couldn’t bear to part with wedding gifts and things that reminded me of our life of elegant entertaining and big parties. I loved that time of my life. But it is not my life today. Holding on wasn’t keeping those memories alive — it was keeping me stuck in the past.

When More Space Isn’t the Answer

Despite those downsizes, I still felt overwhelmed. I considered moving back to my old neighborhood for more space, but my financial advisor told me to stay put due to economic uncertainty and interest rates. With moving off the table, I was forced to face the truth: a bigger home wasn’t the answer. I didn’t need more space—I needed less stuff.

Turning to an Organizer: The Moment I Let Go

I hired a former coworker who was now a professional organizer, someone I trusted. Although I’d already done some of the work myself, I reached a point where I was overwhelmed and needed help. I needed someone who could take a fresh look at the space and develop a new strategy for how I could happily live there.

When she walked into my house one day, I looked at her and said, “I’ve done all I can. I’m overwhelmed. You tell me what to do; I work for you.”

That shift — giving myself permission to follow someone else’s lead — was exactly what I needed. Together, we tackled my home, one project at a time — first, my art studio. Together, we removed everything from the studio and started from scratch. I had decided to step away from oil painting and encaustics and focus on acrylics and watercolors. Those supplies aren’t cheap, so I stored them safely. Maybe I’ll return to them someday, but for now, I wanted space and an art form that fit this chapter of my life.

Rethinking the Kitchen: Safety Over Sentiment

Next came the kitchen. As a cook, I have ingredients — and plenty of them. My cabinets were full, and since I’m only 5’2″, reaching half the shelves felt like an accident waiting to happen. Last Christmas, I learned that the hard way. In the middle of a cooking marathon, I climbed on a wooden stool to pull down my KitchenAid mixer. The mixer went one direction, the stool another, and I nearly ended up in the ER. That’s when I knew I needed a safer system. Now, my heavy kitchen equipment sits on the steps leading to the attic—unconventional and not Instagram-worthy, but it works. Sometimes, the best solutions aren’t about perfection; they’re about what keeps you safe and sane.

Letting Go of Memories (But Keeping the Deviled Egg Plate)

In decluttering, I parted with pieces I never imagined I’d let go of — large serving platters, silver trays, and even my silver punch bowl. But the hardest pieces to release were my wedding gifts. I realized holding on wasn’t honoring those memories but burying them under clutter. (I kept the deviled egg plate. If you’re from the South, you understand).

What made me move off-center? Sitting in my friend’s home, I felt something I hadn’t felt in my own house for a long time—calm. Her open, uncluttered space gave me clarity. That’s when I knew I needed to practice what I preached—to make space for what matters most.

I Passed My Family Treasures to the Next Generations

My nieces are now the caretakers of family treasures. One claimed my silver punch bowl, and another wanted a silver tray. Our younger family members know that family items are set aside for them when they start their own homes. They also know the family crystal and silver are available for their weddings.

It’s so much fun to visit their homes and see the items being used. What was once hidden in my cabinets is now part of their entertaining traditions—a living connection rather than a dusty memory.

Am I Finished? Not at All.

Decluttering isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. This spring, I’ll tackle the garage, attic, and books. The groundwork has been laid, and now I can focus on the finishing touches.

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • What’s packed away in your home that no longer fits your life?
  • Are there items you’re holding onto out of guilt rather than joy?
  • What memories could you preserve in a new way? You could pass things along to family or friends who will use and enjoy them.

Action Step: Start Small and Gain Big Results

  • This week, choose one small area to declutter and organize: a pantry shelf, a closet, or the junk drawer.
  • Ask yourself if the item is necessary for your current life. That one decision can feel surprisingly powerful. Start there.
  • One decision at a time can lead to a lighter, calmer, and far more livable life.

I’d love to hear what you let go of and what new opportunities resulted!