Read the full feature story in the January/February 2026 issue.
Clutter can involve important files, heirlooms, and everyday items, but once they stack up, their purpose gets lost — and creates stress. To declutter, Joann Bogard of The Mindful Organizer emphasizes setting priorities, showing yourself grace, and sticking to the plan.
Figure out what results are best for you before you begin.
Bogard says to have a conversation with yourself to identify what you truly need in an organized home. For example, “Do I work better if I have everything out on my desktop, or do I tuck it away because it gives me anxiety to see it?” she says. “Ask yourself that question — most people know themselves well enough to answer it.”
Make a handwritten list and use it to prioritize.
Prioritize what’s most important in that first minute. “Using index cards is helpful because you can shuffle them,” Bogard says. Start by setting goals — Card One could say, “I won’t stop until I finish this.” “A client’s problem usually is that there are so many projects to get done, they start one, don’t finish it, then start another, and don’t finish it. They don’t prioritize correctly,” she says. “Take time to make those lists and then physically cross things off or throw the card away when you’re done.”
Show yourself grace, but stick to your structure.
You can reprioritize, Bogard says, but don’t start another project until the first one is done. “Make them small projects, like utensil drawers or where you store your pots and pans — not ‘I’m going to reorganize my kitchen,’” she says. Make sure to be kind to yourself during the process. “We’re all busy. I even do that, too — how can someone who organizes not find something?” Bogard laughs.
When purging items, she recommends using boxes or black trash bags so your eye isn’t drawn back to what you’re trying to shed. “Once it’s in the bag, people usually don’t dig back through there,” she says. “For things they’re unsure about getting rid of, get a cardboard box, box it up, mark it with today’s date, and put it in the garage, basement, or attic. And if you haven’t used it in a year, don’t even open it — go ahead and donate it. You already know you don’t need it.”
