DIY Decluttering the VF Way.
Behind the Business The exact process I use — no fluff, no fancy systems. Just what works. People assume that because I do this for a living, my home is in a perpetual state of museum-level order. While I do keep a clean, calm space, I go through the exact same process as everyone else when it's time to declutter. No secret shortcuts; Just an honest method, refined by a ton of emotional feedback over time. Whether you have an afternoon or just 20 minutes, this is how I do it. This is where most people go wrong before they even start. They look around at the whole house and feel instantly defeated. Don't do that. Pick one area. It can be as small as a single kitchen drawer or as large as your whole closet — that's up to you and how much time and energy you have right now. What matters is that you break your whole space into rooms, and then break your rooms into zones, and work through one zone completely before moving on. That means decluttered, cleaned, organized, and put away. Done. Only then do you move to the next zone. Jumping around feels productive. It isn't. All of it. Every single item out of that drawer, cabinet, or closet until it's completely empty. Wipe down the surfaces of that zone. Dust it, clean it. Starting fresh matters — physically and mentally. You'll actually want to put things back thoughtfully when the space is clean. Here's where the tough love comes in, and I say this with love: be ruthless. Pick up each item and ask yourself honestly — when did I last use this? If you can't remember, donate it. Do you have multiples? Donate the extras. Is it a "someday" item that's been sitting there for a decade untouched? Donate it. I kept things for years — moved them from apartment to apartment, house to house — because they held memories, or were expensive, or were gifts, or because I just liked having them. I always had a reason. But at some point I made a decision: I wanted less to clean, less to manage, and more mental clarity. A clear space genuinely is a clearer mind. That shift changed everything for me. A few firm guidelines: if you wouldn't replace it if it got lost, it goes. If it doesn't have a rightful home in your space, it goes. Broken, stained, ripped? Trash — not the donate pile. That "just in case" feeling? That's usually fear, not logic. Let it go. Now you return only what made the cut, organized intentionally. Small items? Clear bins or bags so you can actually see what's in there at a glance. Visibility is underrated — if you can see it, you'll use it. If it's buried, you'll forget it and eventually buy another. Once everything is back in its place, take the trash out immediately and put the donation box straight into your car. Not the garage or the hallway. Your car. The next time you're running an errand, drop it off on the way. Donation boxes that sit around slowly become storage boxes again. Get them out quickly, and let yourself feel the instant gratification of actually finishing the loop. Once you've done your first pass, move on to the next zone. And in a few weeks or months? Come back and do it again. Each time you revisit a space, you'll have more clarity about what you actually use and what you've been holding onto out of habit. If something has been sitting untouched since your last declutter — and it's in season, and you had the chance to use it — it's time to let it go. This process gets easier and faster the more you practice it. Now for some of my favorite tips that I personally use and preach to every client: A simple cardboard box or lidless tote in a corner. When you come across something you no longer need in your day-to-day life, toss it in. No big declutter session required. Summer's wrapping up? Go through your swimsuits, sun hats, and yard games. How many did you actually reach for? The ones you didn't? Let them go. This is a habit, and it takes self-training. But when you finish using something — a pen, a pair of scissors — put it back where it lives right then. Not on the counter or the coffee table. Home. Not every shelf needs décor. A clear counter is easier to clean, easier to work on, and honestly — easier on the eyes. Edit down your surfaces. Visibility = usage. If you can see it, you'll use it — or you'll notice you haven't and make a decision about it. You know which books you'll re-read. You know which hobby you've abandoned. You know your actual favorites versus the things that just take up space. Only keep the things you genuinely reach for. Then everything in your home is something you actually love. New mug? Another one leaves. New blanket? Same deal. This one habit alone keeps clutter from creeping back in. Consider asking for experiences or gift cards instead of more stuff. And if a gift comes in that you truly won't use — you're allowed to let it go. Keeping something out of guilt isn't honoring the gift. It's just creating clutter with emotional weight on it. If you think you've decluttered fast, you probably went too easy on yourself. Multiple passes, seasonally, over time. That's the process. The bottom line: your stuff should be working for you, not against you. The less you have to manage, organize, clean around, and think about — the more space you have for the things and people that actually matter. Including your sweet self! You deserve a home that feels good to live in. Let's get you there. Would you like some help getting started?Insider Info: How Your Virgo Friend Actually Declutters Her Own Space
Pick One Area and Commit to It
Pull Everything Out
Make Three Piles: Keep, Donate, Trash
Put Back What You're Keeping — Thoughtfully
Repeat — Because Decluttering is a Skill
My Go-To Tips
