The arrival of spring often inspires us to throw open the windows, grab some donation boxes, and tackle the clutter that’s slowly crept into every corner of our homes. There’s something about the season that feels fresh, hopeful, and motivating — the perfect time for a reset. But once the dust settles and the bags of old clothes and forgotten gadgets leave your doorstep, a question quietly lingers:
How do I make it last this time?
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, and here’s the truth I’ve learned from years of helping people simplify their spaces: lasting change doesn’t come from a weekend of decluttering — it comes from rethinking your relationship with stuff.
Decluttering: From Task to Lifestyle
For many, decluttering is treated like a one-time project. You dive in with determination, sort and purge with gusto, and stand back to admire your newly cleared shelves. But give it a few weeks (or days), and you’ll notice the same piles beginning to reappear — the junk drawer brimming, the kitchen counters crowded, the closet door barely able to shut.
The reason? Decluttering isn’t just an action — it’s a mindset. Until you shift the way you approach the things you allow into your life, clutter will always return, no matter how many bags you haul away.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
If you want a clutter-free home that lasts beyond spring, here’s the shift you need to make:
- Stop treating decluttering as a single event, and start treating it as a daily habit.
- Stop organizing your space, and start curating your life.
- Stop focusing only on letting go, and start being more intentional about what you let in.
When you shift your perspective, decluttering isn’t about what you remove — it’s about what you choose to keep.
5 Simple Habits That Make Decluttering Stick
Ready to make your spring cleaning efforts last all year long? Here are five habits to help turn that fresh start into a permanent way of living:
1. The “One In, One Out” Rule
The simplest way to stop clutter before it starts: for every new item you bring home, something else has to leave.
- Bought a new coffee mug? Let an old, chipped one go.
- Upgraded your phone? Donate or recycle the old one.
- Added a new pair of jeans? Pass along the pair you haven’t worn in months.
This small habit prevents your space from quietly filling up again.
2. Set Physical Boundaries
Clutter thrives in undefined spaces. Give every category of items a clear limit:
- A single shelf for books.
- One designated “junk drawer” (and a monthly reminder to clean it).
- One memory box for sentimental items, rather than endless bins.
When you set boundaries, the space itself helps enforce the habit — once the shelf or drawer is full, it’s time to edit.
3. Build a Daily Reset Ritual
Clutter usually builds up in small, unnoticed ways. The mail you didn’t sort, the shoes left by the door, the coffee cup on the desk — these tiny piles grow into a major mess. A five-minute evening reset can change everything:
- Clear surfaces.
- Return stray items to their homes.
- Leave your space ready for the next day.
It’s a simple practice with a big payoff: less visual clutter, less stress, more calm.
4. Get Intentional About New Stuff
Before buying or accepting something new, pause and ask:
- Do I love this?
- Will I use it regularly?
- Would I spend money on this again, knowing what I know now?
The more mindful you are on the front end, the less decluttering you’ll need to do on the back end.
5. Check In Seasonally
Decluttering isn’t about achieving perfection once and for all — it’s about staying curious and intentional as your life evolves. Make space for seasonal check-ins:
- As spring turns to summer, scan your home: what feels useful? What feels like clutter?
- If certain areas are slipping, gently reset.
- Celebrate the progress you’ve made — because simplifying is a journey, not a destination.
The Real Gift of Decluttering: Mental Clarity
A clutter-free home isn’t just visually satisfying — it’s emotionally freeing. When your space is clear, you’ll notice:
- You spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying.
- Your mind feels less weighed down by visual noise.
- You feel more in control, rather than buried under “stuff.”
Spring decluttering is a beautiful beginning, but the real transformation happens when you pair it with a lasting shift in mindset. When you move from clearing out your home to consciously curating your life, you’ll find that less truly can be more.
Need a Little Help Staying on Track?
If you want to keep your momentum going beyond spring, my Essential Checklists Workbook can guide you step by step. With room-by-room breakdowns and easy-to-follow plans, you’ll have a system designed not just for cleaning — but for creating a space that reflects the life you want.
And if you’re short on time, don’t miss my 5 in 5 Series — five simple tips in five minutes to help you simplify, declutter, and live lighter.
So this season, don’t just focus on what you’re clearing out. Focus on what you’re making room for: peace, purpose, and the freedom to live more fully.
