Declutter Your Life; Your Family Will Thank You

When my mom died last year, my sister and I had to go through everything in my parents’ house and choose what to keep, toss, or donate. Everyone deals with grief differently, and my dad wanted to clean out the entire house within days after the funeral. It was a whirlwind of emotions that I’m still trying to process. But along the way, I learned some lessons that would have made it easier for us. Today, I’m sharing tips I’ve learned from my experience about how to declutter your life. Hopefully, it will help your family down the road.

You’ve spent a lifetime accumulating the things that make your house a home. But at some point, it might be time to declutter and downsize. The more you hold on to, the more you leave behind for those you love to deal with. Here are some practical steps for decluttering your life to make things easier for your family.

Enlist Help

Decluttering a lifetime of accumulation can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling to decide what to keep and what to toss, ask your friends or family to help determine if you are holding onto items simply for their sentimental value. You don’t have to accept every recommendation they have, but their impartial advice might help make the decision easier. Keep an open mind and be willing to accept that your treasures may not be as priceless as you believe. For items with sentimental value, consider taking photos before letting them go. This way, you can preserve the memories without keeping the physical object.

Start Small

Sort through closets, drawers, and storage areas first. These spaces tend to be black holes that contain unused and unimportant items. Begin with one room or even just one drawer. Tackling a small area at a time can make the process less overwhelming and more manageable. Don’t try to declutter the whole house in a day. Focus on one area at a time, then move on to the next.

Create Categories

Sort items into the following categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, Recycle/Trash. This helps make decisions easier and ensures that each item has a designated place. For sentimental keepsakes, limit them to a single box or designated area that’s out of the way. This helps you keep only the most cherished items in your everyday living space without letting them take over. If you haven’t used an item in the past year, it’s likely that you don’t need it. Exceptions can be made for seasonal items, but this rule helps in making quick decisions.

Keep the Valuables

Your antiques, art, and family heirlooms have value. Don’t discard or give away items that are worth something financially. But how do you know what something is worth? Snap a picture on your phone and use Google Reverse Image Search to see if there are similar items listed on eBay, Etsy, or antique auction sites. I also do this while thrift shopping, and it helps me determine an item’s value almost instantly. You may be surprised by what you find.

Donate Gently Used Items

Many of the things that no longer serve you could benefit someone else. Many thrift stores will send a truck to your house if you call and schedule an appointment to have large items removed. Search Facebook for local “Buy Nothing” or “Pay it Forward” groups to give directly to individuals in need. Got tons of books? Find a nearby Little Free Library and fill it up! It’s an instant serotonin boost knowing you’re making a difference in your community.

Sell the Decent Stuff

If you have the energy, a good old-fashioned yard sale is still en vogue for selling your unwanted items. Consignment shops are a good way to sell nicer clothing. Facebook Marketplace has replaced Craigslist as the go-to place to sell items online. You can arrange to meet people in a public place to make the sale if you don’t want strangers coming to your home. If you feel comfortable giving people your address, have them do a “Porch Pickup” where you leave the item by your front door for a no-contact transaction. This requires a bit of trust from the honor system, as they will either leave cash under your doormat or send money via PayPal or Venmo before they leave with the item. I prefer to use Venmo, as many people use it for these kinds of sales. Use your best judgment, and always prioritize your safety above all else.

Get your Docs in a Row

If you want to reduce paper clutter, scan important documents and store them digitally in online cloud storage that your family can access after your death, such as a Google Drive or Dropbox. Make sure someone knows the password to your computer and phone so your documents can be easily accessed in the future. Sometimes, it’s best to keep a paper trail. For documents with hard copies that need to be accessed quickly, I’ve created a filing system to help stay organized. Read all about how to Get your Docs in a Row here. You can also download my Avery label template to organize your file folders here:

Assign the Inheritance

This might be the single most important way to relieve stress and anxiety for your family after your passing. Create a will, have it notarized, and store it in a fireproof safe. Detail exactly who you want to receive any sentimental items after you die. If there is jewelry or other valuables to be handed down to children or grandchildren, specifically list each item and the recipient so your intentions are crystal clear. Don’t leave your kids to hash it out after you’re gone. Don’t leave it up to probate. It’s stressful enough to lose a parent at any age; adding a family feud or even a potential lawsuit on top of that grief can be devastating. Writing a will (or setting up a trust fund, if your situation applies) can be the greatest gift you can leave your children.

Don’t Be Afraid

Decluttering isn’t about losing your things; it’s about taking responsible action to streamline your home while you’re able, making it easier on those you’ll leave behind. It’s truly a gift to yourself and your loved ones to alleviate future uncomfortable situations after your death. By taking these steps, you can create a more organized and peaceful living environment while also easing the burden on your children in the future.