Have you ever spent hours trying to organize a space only to feel like nothing really
changed? Maybe you sorted and stacked, bought storage bins, and labeled everything—but a week later, the clutter crept back in. That’s because organizing alone isn’t the answer. The real key to staying organized is minimizing first.
Think of organizing like packing a suitcase. If you try to cram in too much, you’ll struggle to zip it
up, no matter how neatly you fold everything. But if you pare down to only what you truly need, suddenly, packing becomes a breeze. Your home is no different—before you can create an organized space, you need to clear out the excess.
Here’s why minimizing before organizing is so important:
You eliminate what’s unnecessary – Instead of rearranging things you don’t even use, you let them go.
You free up space for what matters – Your home should hold things you love and use,
not just stuff you feel obligated to keep.
You save time and effort – The less you have, the less you need to manage, clean, and organize.
You prevent ‘organized clutter’ – Without minimizing first, you might just be shuffling clutter into
pretty bins instead of truly streamlining your space.
What to Minimize Before Organizing
Before you start sorting and arranging, take a look at
what you’re holding onto that might not need to be there in the first place. Here are some things to consider minimizing before you even think about organizing:
1. Duplicate Kitchen Gadgets: Do you really need three vegetable peelers, five spatulas, or that apple slicer you’ve never used? The more tools you have, the
harder it is to find what you actually need.
2. Expired Spices, Condiments, and Pantry Items: If you can’t remember when you bought it, it’s probably time to toss it. Spices lose their flavor over time, and expired pantry items just take up space.
3. Mismatched or Worn-Out Food Storage Containers: If you’ve got lids with no bottoms and bottoms with no lids, it’s time to clear them out. Keep only the ones that match and stack neatly.
4. Old Towels and
Linens: Towels that have lost their absorbency, pillowcases that don’t match anything, and extra sheets you never use just clog up your linen closet. Animal shelters often accept old towels as donations.
5. Unused or Outdated Beauty Products: That expensive face mask you used once? That dried-up mascara? If
it’s expired, broken, or not your color, say goodbye.
6. Clothes That Don’t Fit or You Never Wear: If it’s too small, too big, too uncomfortable, or just not your style anymore, why keep it? Clearing out clothing makes it easier to see and enjoy what you truly love.
7. Shoes That Hurt Your Feet: We all have them—shoes that are cute but impossible to wear. If they cause blisters, pinch your toes, or make you dread walking in them, they’re not worth keeping.
8.
Random Cords, Chargers, and Electronics: Got a drawer full of mystery cables? If you don’t know what they belong to, you probably don’t need them.
9. Books You’ll Never Read Again: If it’s not a favorite, not worth rereading, or something you didn’t enjoy the first time, donate it and free up space on your
shelves.
10. Excess Mugs and Water Bottles: How many mugs do you actually use? If your cabinet is overflowing, keep your favorites and let the rest go.
11. Broken or Unused Holiday Decorations: If you haven’t displayed it in years or it’s too much of a hassle to set up, it’s time to part with it.
12. Toys and Games No One Uses: If the kids have outgrown it or it’s missing half its pieces, it’s just taking up
space.
13. Old Greeting Cards and Paper Clutter: Unless it’s truly sentimental, cards, invitations, and random notes tend to pile up. Keep a few meaningful ones and recycle the rest.
14. Unused Gift Bags, Wrapping Paper Scraps, and Ribbon: If it’s crumpled, ripped, or you have way more than you’ll ever use, pare it down to a manageable amount.
15. Excess Decor That Doesn’t Match Your Style: That vase you never liked, the wall art you only kept out of
obligation—if it doesn’t bring you joy, it’s just clutter.
Organizing Becomes Easy Once You Minimize
Once you’ve pared down, the real magic
happens—organizing becomes effortless because everything has a place. You won’t need fancy storage solutions to make things fit, and you’ll enjoy your space so much more.
So next time you feel the urge to organize, pause and minimize first. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter your home (and your mind!) feels.
