Why You Need to Start Minimizing and Decluttering Instead

By Brittany McNab

The Illusion of Perfect Organization

Okay, we’ve all either seen or heard of the show The Home Edit. And man, does it look amazing. Everything is color-coordinated, in lovely, neat little clear bins so you can see everything. Every pantry, closet, and drawer is divided and organized with easy-to-access solutions that promise to make your life easier. It’s a dream come true, right? Many of us eagerly drank the clear-container Kool-aid, convinced that buying drawer dividers and chic pantry organizers would solve our chaotic lives. Yet, here we are—still overwhelmed.

Decluttering Comes Before Organization

The real issue isn’t organization. It’s excess. You might be thinking, “But you’ve never seen my house.” True, but if you’re like the average Canadian or American, you’ve likely muttered to yourself, “I just need to get organized, and then my house won’t be so messy.” Let me save you some time: getting organized is not your first step—it’s your last. The journey starts with minimizing and decluttering. Here’s why. When you have too much stuff, organizing it is just an exercise in managing clutter. Sure, you might feel accomplished when everything is tucked neatly into labeled bins, but maintaining that system is a full-time job. And let’s face it: life gets busy. Whether it’s work, family obligations, or an unexpected bout of illness, it doesn’t take much for your organized spaces to fall apart, leaving you right back where you started.

Breaking the cycle requires a shift in mindset: focus on minimizing and decluttering first. 

This doesn’t mean throwing away everything you own. Instead, it’s about keeping what truly serves a purpose or brings joy. Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is an excellent guide for this process, offering practical steps to help you decide what to keep and what to let go of. Personally, I love using empty boxes (pro tip: diaper boxes are fantastic for this) to gather items my family no longer needs. 

Toys my kids have outgrown, clothes that no longer fit, forgotten kitchen gadgets—these all go straight into donation boxes to find new homes. I tackle one room at a time, repeating this process every few months. The result? A lighter, more functional home and a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to beat.

Once you’ve decluttered, then—and only then—is it time to organize.

With fewer belongings, you’ll find it easier to create systems that are sustainable and simple to maintain. You’ll also avoid overbuying unnecessary storage solutions, saving both time and money. Best of all, a minimized home gives you more freedom—freedom to spend less time managing stuff and more time enjoying your life, whether that’s pursuing hobbies, spending quality time with family, or simply relaxing.

In conclusion, organizing alone isn’t the answer to a chaotic home. The key lies in letting go of the excess, creating space for what truly matters, and then organizing what remains. A decluttered, well-curated home doesn’t just look good—it feels good. So, take that first step today. Open a box, start sorting, and reclaim your home and your time. You’ve got this!

*All Photographs Credit: Brittany McNab

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