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Decluttering in September

Retirement Reflections

Although this past month has had much packed into it, I’d like to focus this post on my September Decluttering Project.

Previously, I had been unsystematically attempting to reduce clutter in my home. But mostly, I ended up simply tidying cupboards and putting everything back inside again – kinda like moving the chairs around on The Titanic.

Then I saw a little piece of inspiration on Facebook (from The Savvy Sparrow) and noted that some friends were also focusing on decluttering this month. I copied those ideas, modified them slightly, and used Canva to put them on a graphic which looked like this.

Once I got further into my decluttering, I simplified the form, and modified it even further to fit the exact needs of our home. I’ve also included a blank form that you can modifiy to your specific needs.

Breaking down decluttering in this way had numerous advantages. This chart provided focus and allowed me to: • Start small. • Break decluttering into manageable tasks. • Establish decluttering as a daily habit. • Opt for shorter, fixed periods instead of indefinite ones. • Choose tasks of varying lengths that could be rearranged to fit my schedule (e.g., under-the-bed cleanup was easy, while closet cleanup was more demanding).
I haven’t hit my full 30 days yet, but I have (mostly) stuck to it and have not only found this system to be doable, I have also found it to be addictive. (I did have an injury in between, which slowed me down, but that’s a whole different post!)
Here is what some of my cleanup now looks like. And for those quick to point out that I could minimalize even more,….true, but it’s a definite start!

The benefits of decluttering are numerous: • Fosters a sense of accomplishment. • Creates more space. • Simplifies your life. • Encourages generosity and environmentalism by allowing you to pass items on to others. • Saves time by organizing like items together and displaying them more neatly. • Saves money by revealing forgotten items you might otherwise repurchase and offering opportunities to sell items. • Reduces stress by creating a calming, clutter-free environment.

What are your experiences with decluttering? If you have any tips to add, I’d love to hear them.

What’s been on your calendar this past September? My cohosts and I would love for you to share.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

95 thoughts on “Decluttering in September”

  1. A great project as you transition the seasons, Donna. I agree that breaking down the project into smaller bite sizes can stop the overwhelm. You’ve done a great job and inspired me to do the same in October. I find my wardrobe needs the most work. Full of clothes that ‘I might wear one day’ (but never do). Thanks for co-hosting #WBOYC? Have a lovely October. xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – I was commenting on your post while you were commenting on mine. I ❤ the synergy of when that happens.

      I’m delighted to hear that I inspired you to look at some decluttering in October. When done in small regular chunks, it truly is addictive.

      Although I’ve definitely been slowed down by my rib injury, I still have been able to do a little bit each day which is very satisfying. And using the chart above has made me think outside the box. I definitely would have missed things otherwise…and of course I needed to add things too. Surprisingly, books were not listed, but CDs and DVDS were. Go figure! ❤

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      2. Hi, Sue – Please feel free to borrow my decluttering chart. I borrowed the original one from Facebook, so I definitely cannot claim ownership.
        The good news about rib injuries is that you are supposed to be able to maintain a mild level of activity. The bad news is that this mild level is much less than I am used to, and much less than my mind and body crave. But back to the good news, I have an awesome doctor and she is giving great guidance! ❤

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  2. An injury? Oh, no! I will be waiting to hear. As for decluttering…what a great job you did. Everything looks so tidy. The main part of our house looks pretty neat, but down cellar is a catch-all and oh, boy! For me it is a matter of time and energy. Writing, cooking, cleaning, and reading seem to take a lot of my time.

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    1. Hi, Laurie – I injured my ribs from a bad fall….while I was decluttering. Unfortunately, most rib injuries take much time and patience. Although I am usually patient, I’m finding reduced physical activity to be incredibly challenging.

      I hear you about catch-all places like cellars (we have a painted/heated crawl space). My suggestion for that is one box at a time. We truly can move mountains that way! ❤

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  3. You are so smart to break this into steps and small chunks! It’s that fall cleaning time of the year and I have one dreaded closet up first. Hoping for organized results like yours; thanks for inspiration!

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    1. Hi, Pam – My closet definitely took me the longest — at least so far — my garage shelves are still looming! :O

      The decluttering chart that I was using wisely put shoes in a separate category. This was helpful on two counts. 1) It broke down my closet time. 2) I have footwear in two different place – my bedroom closet — and you guessed it — on our garage shelves! ❤

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  4. We just did a major downsizing of stuff with trips to the local donation center and a pick-up by another along with a sizeable trash bag. My goal is to be “nursing home ready” when that time comes (hopefully a long, long way off).

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      6. Hi, Kate – I just realized that we might be married to the same man! 😀 I just had the exact same experience with Richard finally letting go of a pair of shoes that he never, ever (I mean never) wears! ❤

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    1. Thanks, Deb – The daily, small chunk approach has worked really well for me. Despite what else I have on that day, I’ve always been able to get one of the decluttering tasks from the list checked off. You know how I love checking things off! And our closets, cupboards and drawers are looking great. It’s been very satisfying!

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  6. There is something very satisfying in de-cluttering. Ask me how I know!! Moving house helps. And into a smaller space. I admit we have still got some garage storage going but I did offload a LOT of excess last house move almost 2 years ago and charity shops were generally grateful.

    I am so sorry about the rib. Every move can be affected can’t it. Slowing down when you are not used to it is a challenge within itself.

    Take care…I know you will ..and thanks for the link up!

    Denyse x

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    1. Hi, Denyse – Not this year, but within the next couple years, Richard and I would like to rightsize to a slightly smaller space with less upkeep. The thought of having to go throught items quickly (like we just did at my mom’s) was enough to make me smart small and think big. You are right — decluttering can be extremely satisfying. And you are double-right — slowing down is definitely NOT my thing. ❤

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  7. Hi Donna – I didn’t realize de-cluttering was a high risk sport with the capacity for debilitating injury! Trust you to go at something with such vigour that you caused damage to yourself – or were you just keeping up with Richard and his Camino injury? Good on you for being so diligent and continuing with your de-cluttering while wounded. It always feels good when you look at your efforts and the clear space created. Go easy with the process and look after that rib of yours. x

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    1. Hi, Leanne – You seriously have awesome comments. I always look forward to them.
      You are right — my fall really was Olympic worthy (at least in my mind). The landing — on a hard plastic storage box — not so much. Note to self: Do not stand on a vintage chair when attempting to reach something on top of a closet (even though I have done this 200 times before). 😦

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  8. Bravo!! Your decluttering efforts have paid off in spades. Doesn’t it feel so good to open a drawer and to be able to find something you are looking for?? I remember that feeling…vaguely. I have really slipped in the housecleaning department in the last year. Had big plans to jump into a belated spring cleaning this fall now that PC has retired. But it hasn’t happened yet. Glad to be reminded of your little printouts. I had pinned them but couldn’t remember where I originally found them. Have repinned them and will print them out.
    After reading Leanne’s comment above, it seems there may have been some injury involved in your decluttering. I am sorry if you have gotten hurt. What a year you guys have had!! Here’s hoping you are back to 110% in record time.

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    1. Thanks, Leslie – Thank you so much for stopping by. Decluttering really does feel great…and I’ve now got Richard involved in the action (miracles never cease)! You read correctly. I did have an injury (ribs) that has definitely slowed me down. But the beauty of this decluttering chart is that I can still follow along and do one chunk each day (although sometimes not in the order of the list). When you have the time, and are in the mood, I highly recommend it! ❤

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  9. Having decluttered twice in the past year due to moving house twice, I need a break for a while! I still need to tackle books/papers but like Laurie, I am too busy with other things….or is that my excuse?

    Hope you recover from your fall soon.

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    1. Hi, Barbara – I totally understand that when you are still working, there is little time left over for these types of projects. And since you’ve just moved twice, you are well ahead. Funny, this little chart left off books…but did list CDs/DVDs. I agree that paper decluttering is in the hard pile! ❤

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      2. I agree that books are hard.

        And paper…that’s a story of its own. My husband is a retired lawyer and has kept documents well past their expiry date. He has been faithfully shredding and decluttering paper this week. I have been incredibly impressed with his results. As with me, he said that it was addictive once he started!

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  10. that’s pretty impressive Donna! I do a tidy up from time to time. Hadn’t thought of a day by day plan. It’s worth a try I reckon. Breaking it down into smaller tasks. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m best with routine, and day-to-day, so this little chart has works very well for me. Despite some major interuptions, I started on Sept 9 and now am on Sept 28 for the chart (one day ahead). Some of the tasks were easy to group together (like bathroom and makeup, kitchen drawers and under kitchen sink) so I snuck in two on those days for the price of one! ❤

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  11. I love decluttering Donna and I love these graphics. When I moved here I gave away almost everything but I have to admit that quite a bit has crept back. I should think about doing it again. You must be feeling so good as your cross those tasked off your list

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  12. Very well done. My recent experiences with decluttering involved an attempt to cull some of the many thousands of pictures in my iPhotos gallery. I had a look at it, turned it off, and added a few more.

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  14. Pingback: 7 Best Outings in September – Natalie the Explorer

  15. Well done with impressive results, Donna! I hope you recover from your fall soon. Breaking down decluttering is how I do it, too. I also add decluttering to my ‘annual home maintenance’ to-do list. Thank you for hosting #WBOYC. I added my link.

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  16. It would seem that decluttering is a constant. I’m at the stage of life where less is more. The under-sink spaces in the kitchen & porch have been calling to me. Then there’s the walk-in closet upstairs; culling it is on the 2024 to-do list. Three months left! The experience of moving mom from her home of >60 yrs to a lodge setting & finally to a nursing home has cemented the need for decluttering & Swedish death cleaning for myself. Each of mom’s moves saw less & less to manage & the final move took place the end of August when mom passed peacefully from life on this earth. And I’m left with managing the memories & emotion. Decluttering takes on many forms.

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  17. Oh yes! I definitely find decluttering/purging to get quite addictive too! That satisfaction I feel over a really organized space bleeds into every single nook and cranny of the house. Now if I could just get the other 4 people in the house to feel the same way it would be wonderful!

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    1. Hi, Joanne – We are definitely kindred spirits here. Although I only currently have one other person in our house, I do have multiple storage bins of items belonging to our son who lives in Hong Kong. I need to keep reminding myself of baby steps. You are so right, the satisfaction from decluttering really does spread!

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      2. Hi, Dorothy – You are very wise. Before I started, I never thought I would continue for 30 days in a row (or even 19). I thought that the tasks would be too large and life would repeatedly get in the way. But it has turned out quite the opposite. Today I tackled night stands and CDs and was done before 9:30 am. My one nightstand is actually a large cedar chest filled with framed family photos and memory items so I had my doubts. But Richard joined in on the fun and all went smoothly!

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  19. Good job. We are clearing out my mother-in-law’s place as she has been moved into a care home. There is so much ‘stuff’!! This has motivated me to declutter as I don’t want someone to have to clear out my ‘stuff’ one day.

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    1. Hi, Darlene – Moving my mom and her husband this past April was a full on 3-week, day-in and day-out job. I truly did not want anyone else to have to do that for us (nor see some of the more unsightly stuff). This experience has been a huge motivator for me.

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  20. Hi Donna!

    Wow, your cabinets look organized and tidy and attractive. But that’s a lot of spices. And medicines. And water bottles! 🙂

    As you might know, I LOVE declutterring and organizing and getting rid of stuff. We still feel like we have too many things in our camper, but then I look around and I – really – don’t see anything we could miss or get rid of.

    That being said, we did bring back a lot of new stuff from the US, which we replaced other items with. Those “old” or unnecessary products and gear ended up on a “free” table we created at our current campground and they were gone in an hour! 🙂

    We have two declutterring rules (out of necessity) in Thirsty Bella: 1) When something new enters the cupboards, something old has to go. Except for food and drinks. 2) Anything that hasn’t been used in a year, should leave. Except tools and spare parts.

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    1. Hi, LIesbet – Those are great decluttering rules. My rules this time around was that if I truly was not going to use it or it was expired, out it went. It’s amazing how well that simple rule has worked.

      As for spices, I truly never have enough and always need to be making my own concoctions to compensate. ❤

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  21. It’s interesting to see all the different declutterring methods. I tried a month where you get rid of one thing on the 1st of the month, two on the second etc. it worked well until the end of the month where I struggled to find 30 things in one day!

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  22. Congratulations to you, Donna, on committing to a 30-day decluttering challenge. Decluttering is an ongoing battle for me. I’ve definitely made some progress this year, but still feel overwhelmed by what’s left…and getting me and my husband on the same page and time schedule to work through shared areas together. Perhaps, as the weather cools where we live, we will spend more time on indoor tasks. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.

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    1. Hi, Christie – Thank you for dropping by. Getting our husbands on board with decluttering seems to be an ongoing battle for many. Previously, I did all of my decluttering when Richard was away or was golfing for the day. This time around he’s surprisingly been onboard and quite helpful. Seriously, I never thought this could happen! ❤

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  23. I have saved your charts as a crib sheet! Sorry to hear about the rib injury, hope that heals soon. I have done something unspecified to my back at the moment – maybe just accumulation of little things because I can’t identify one ping! moment – so can empathise a bit.

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    1. Hi, Anabel – I am so sorry to hear about your back. Back pain is so painful.

      I’m glad that you found the crib sheets useful. I don’t embrace all challenges, but this has worked perfectly for me, atleast so far. 19 days down and 11 more to go! ❤

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  24. I’ve been de-cluttering off and on for a while. Sometimes things actually go out the door, sometimes they just get rearranged to look like less of a mess. I’m not sure I could use a chart with actual days on it since I find that I do better when I’m in the mood… sometimes I just need to purge.

    You’ve done such a great job, and your charts are so cute! I’m so sorry you injured yourself and I hope you recover quickly.

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    1. Thanks, Janis – This little chart has been surprisingly helpful. I don’t do all of the tasks in order, and some are super easy to group together. The grouping together of tasks has allowed me to get ahead of the chart and have days off when I need them without feeling behind. The daily focus of one small chunk at a time, and the success that it yields, has been highly addictive. I hope that all is well for you. Sending big hugs your way.

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  25. We are totally cluttered. And we’re having the basement finished so the basement clutter has been moved to the garage, the spare guest rooms, the dining room etc. We DID throw a lot of stuff out when we emptied the basement…and before we put stuff back once it’s finished we’ll think about stuff seriously. But we’ll probably never be decluttered, organized people.

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    1. Hi, Dawn – Decluttering is definitely not for everyone. This has been an awesome project for me, but I probably would run away screaming at the thought of all the work involved in refinishing or renovating. I admire all who undertake home renovation of any kind. ❤

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  26. Taking small bites out of decluttering is a great idea, Donna! Great charts, how helpful! I could have used those 4 years ago this month when we were packing to move to Spokane. I just read the post and remembered the godawful issues with packing and other fun things. You remind me that since we’ve moved here, I have been really good about going through clothing and things that are hopelessly ill-fitting or out of style. Love your example images. A great idea to put spices in a drawer!

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    1. Hi, Terri – Thank you for your kind words. I am a big user of spices and love to have all kinds on hand (and still feel like I never have enough). When we moved to this home in 2015, we put the spices in a drawer for the first time ever. It was such a game changer, I am never going back to any other way! ❤

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  27. I love your 30 day declutter challenge! I’m on a mini-7 day challenge since I’m having company next week. Having people in my house is my best motivator. 🙂 But I love having a decluttered house for myself too!

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  28. Hi Donna, looks great and very organized! I tend to accumulate things (and not get rid of what I already have) so decluttering is something I should definitely do more of. I agree that by clearing things out we have a lot less stress. I also like your suggesting to break it down into smaller tasks. That makes the project much more manageable. Great post!

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  29. Good going, you! It’s a constant effort around here — mostly by my wife, who tends to go overboard — but I’m also on the bandwagon. Currently I’m looking hard at picture albums and an old scrapbook. I want to somehow digitize everything, so I can get rid of the physical materials themselves. – Marty

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    1. Hi, Marty – Usually Richard is supportive of decluttering in theory – but not in reality. This time round, he’s really been on board. Shredding old paper files and digitalizign old photo albums has been his current focus. He found an iphone app that he loves that transfers his old print photos into digital photo albums. He’s loving it!

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  31. So I just went looking for my tea pot to make a pot of tea for a guest. No where to be found. That’s odd I thought. My guest assumes I am having a senior moment.

    I sat down to think. 🤔

    I remembered it went to the 2nd hand store a few months ago. 🤨
    Lesson: make a list of items you should replace. Yes you can buy replacements at a 2nd hand store.
    I was inspired by the 30 day schedule to keep trying but maybe spread it out over a year so it is a surprise treat to do. Also seasonal stuff arises as the seasons change. No wonder people wrote books about this.. Marie Kondo. 🙂

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  32. Hi Donna, this is a great project and breaking it down into bite sized bits makes complete sense. Thanks for the ideas and sharing your progress, you always keep it real! A fabulous focus for this month’s #WBOYC

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  33. You had charts about what to declutter when! Oh I’m charmed by this. Being a free spirit I declutter areas when the mood moves me, never with this kind of schedule in mind. Of course whatever works, works. So happy you shared this here, you’ve made my day. And everything looks nice.

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    1. It was a fun, no-brainer project. I got up, didn’t have to think, didn’t have to negotiate with myself (or talk myself in our out of something) and just did it. I am now almost done and I will almost miss it. But our house is feeling great and Richard has also joined in on the fun! ❤

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    1. This small, doable, month-long daily habit has been surprisingly addictive, very satisfying and even contagious! Richard is shredding piles of his old papers now (and has been throughout the week.) I’ve been trying to get him to do that for years! 🙂

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  35. Hello Donna, your idea of committing a plan to paper is such a key step to success. Thank you.
    We moved into my parent’s old farmhouse nearly two years ago, with 70 years of belongings to clear. I remember how good it felt when I’d decluttered every kitchen cupboard. A big tackle was forty years of B&B bedding! Some house items are very historic and just ‘have’ to stay with the house, like the huge old inn sign or the vast dark paintings of 18th century relatives! But they’ve been moved!
    For forty years, my husband and I sent items home between jobs abroad. How silly! We have been clearing two stables full of unpacked boxes of craft and stuff! This has needed a weekly rather than a daily plan over the last two summers, with frequent trips to car boot sales and eBay. We are nearly done! Well, maybe one summer more!

    (Sorry, this is getting to be a long comment!) Just last night I thought of one more area to clear – my computer! Six years into retirement I realized I still have all my teaching work on it!
    I empathise with your injury. In April I fell carrying a box downstairs and my ribs collided with the box corner. It was a long time healing.

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    1. What a great comment, and very insightful. Thank you so much for this.
      Our injuries sound very similar – except that I fell of a chair but the key damage was my ribs colliding into a hard plastic storage box corner that was on the floor below. Seriously, I would rather go through childbirth again than repeat that pain!
      That is so cool about you retiring to your parents old farmhouse. We just moved my parents from their long-standing home. It wasn’t a large farmhouse or B & B, but it still took 21 days and nights of non-stop work. We are now committed to that not happening to us (she says with confidence).

      Great to hear from you!

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  36. When we moved recently I did a significant declutter. However, whilst in the packing boxes, random clutter multiplied. As it does. Onwards!

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  38. Hi Donna – you’ll be getting an email with post shortly … but de-cluttering I’m starting to do it … and must get on with it … books et al … that’s an amazing array of photos … I hope the knives didn’t attack you to cause the injury?! Well done – cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks, Hilary – I look forward to your email and regular connection with your blog again. It wasn’t the knives that attacked me, but a chair that threw me off and landed my ribs onto the edge of a hard plastic storage box. 😦

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  40. Hi, Joe – I began this challenge on September 9 and finished Day 28 today (I was able to combine a couple of days together here and there). This has been such a wonderful challenge for me — so much more successful and productive than I originally thought it would be. Richard even joined in on the fun – which I never would have expected. The small, daily, doable chunks really made a difference. The original challenge (that I copied from) focused on getting rid of 30 bags of unneeded items in 30 days. Although my bags have been of various sizes, I definitely have accomplished this which feels fabulous! ❤

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  41. My biggest issue is setting goals too big, so this is such a good reminder! My husband and I sat down to write a to-do list before the big holidays and I swear that list looked 10 miles long. I quickly realized that we needed to break it down into much smaller pieces. Today we’re clearing out the storage room, tomorrow we’ve got the air duct cleaner coming, but it’s so much more doable when you bite pieces you can actually chew. I appreciate you posting this, it’s definitely an inspiration!

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