Beyond The To-do List

Professional organizer Ingrid Jansen, co-author of Reset Your Home, explains why clutter is more about emotions than “stuff,” why decluttering is a process (not a project), and how to start small—think kitchens, cupboards, and daily resets—to build your “decluttering muscle” over time. In this conversation, we discuss:Process over project: Decluttering is never “done”—as things come in, things must go out. Start in the kitchen: Fewer emotions than books/photos; clear storage first, then put surfaces away. Daily resets: 10–30 minute habits (dishes, bins, wipe counters, a load of laundry) that prevent weekend pileups. “If in doubt, keep it”: Build capacity with easy wins; you’ll be ready to let go on a later pass. Don’t buy more bins: The problem isn’t storage—it’s volume; work with what you have. Decide by favorites: Pull everything out, match lids, pick what you use and love first; the rest gets easier. Clutter personalities: