For Real Simple’s Finding Good Habits special edition bookazine, I reported and wrote a multi-page print feature on building sustainable decluttering systems—focusing on behavior change, household buy-in, and realistic maintenance strategies.
Featured excerpt:
Raise a feather duster if this sounds familiar: You’re scrolling CleanTok in bed once again and come upon your favorite influencer reorganizing the space under her bathroom sink, or maybe her pantry. Not only does it look easy to execute, but it also looks beautiful—even if it’s ultimately shut behind a cabinet door. Inspired, and frustrated with the constant clutter in your own home, you decide to reorganize. Then you run out of steam mid-project. Or you finish, but you find the shelves overflowing
again a scant two weeks later.
If you’re struggling to keep your home clutter-free, it isn’t because you’re not as organized as that social-media neatnik. The problem is that you haven’t taken the time to create a personalized (and sustainable) system. We spoke with two decluttering experts about how to get into the habit of maintaining an organized home.
This story ran exclusively in print and is not available online. Read the full print feature in PDF.
