Save Stuff for Later
Or Start in the Kitchen
Decluttering your kitchen might take twice as long as your bathroom, but it's the other best place to start your whole-house process. You know what you use and don't use. (Obviously, pitch what you're not really using.) Keep only things that have more than one purpose. Chuck all the spices you no longer remember when you purchased. Dump drawers, wipe them down and refill with purpose. Clear countertops, wipe them down, enjoy their emptiness for a few minutes and then place on them only what you absolutely must.
Money Sparks Joy
The KonMari method is immediate and ruthless. Each item is handled, spoken to and thanked for its service. All good approaches for things you're struggling to let go. You know what else helps? Money. What Marie Kondo doesn't know is that garage sales work when there's a large volume of inventory. The trick is to set an earnings goal, make sure you're putting out enough bigger-ticket items, pricing things to move and setting the date. Nothing sparks joy like cold, hard cash.
Old Stuff, New Uses
By all means, get rid of stuff you don't really like or use. But if you come across objects that you sort of like and they have some type of meaning for you, you don't have to rush to get rid of them. Instead, take a second look. Maybe there's a different use for the object. A pitcher can be repurposed as a vase, an old frame as a decorative tray. Even stained bath towels that are still otherwise fine can be made into cleaning rags, spa slippers or a child's bathrobe.
Better in Groups
Jars, knickknacks, vases and even books are often more appealing when displayed together. In fact, they make an aesthetic statement that, while not minimal, can spark joy as a whole. Group like colors, like objects and like materials, and see what you think. If it doesn't work, you might be so sick of handling the things that you'll throw them into the donations box and never look back.
Hand-Me-Downs
Kids amass tons of toys, clothes, books and other items at a rate that's hard to keep up with. While Marie Kondo's strategy is to pare down fast and keep only what you like, if you plan to have other kids, packing away hand-me-downs is a solid strategy. Just be sure to mark the boxes clearly with dates, clothing/shoe sizes and season.
Good Clutter
Tiny figurines have an appeal, one that might not be quite a spark but is fun nonetheless. Either they were gifted from someone's world travels or you picked it up as a souvenir. They tell stories, and stories are joyful. So, it's OK to hang on to them. What you can do is maximize how you enjoy them by putting them out for display in a converted lightweight crate, an antique curio or diorama box.
