March isn't just another month. It's the sweet spot for real, lasting decluttering.
January is full of resolutions (that fade fast). February? Too short to get anything done. But March? That's when people finally commit to clearing out the clutter and making space for what truly matters.
Why March is Perfect for Decluttering
I've been helping people organize their homes for over 10 years, and I've noticed something remarkable: March is when the real change happens.
✅ The holiday rush and family visits are behind us.
✅ Longer daylight hours boost energy and motivation.
✅ Spring brings a natural urge for a fresh start.
✅ The pressure of New Year's resolutions has faded.
There's something magical about watching someone walk into a room that's finally clear. It's like seeing them put down a heavy suitcase they've been carrying for miles. The relief is visible on their faces.
Clutter isn't just physical stuff—it's like having too many browser tabs open in your brain. Close some tabs, and suddenly you can think again.
What Is Wise-Sizing?
But let's be clear: You don't need to purge everything. The goal isn't to have an empty house—it's to create a home that fits your life now. That's why I call it wise-sizing.
Wise-sizing isn't just about getting rid of stuff. It's about:
✔ Keeping what serves you—not just what you feel guilty holding onto.
✔ Letting go of "someday" items (if you haven't used it in three years, you won't).
✔ Creating a home that works for you today, not the past.
One of my clients, Margaret, had a dining table for eight—but she only ever used two seats. We moved the table to the side, added a cozy reading chair, and suddenly, her space fit her real life. That's wise-sizing.
5-Step Wise-Sizing Plan for Spring Decluttering
1. Start With the Easy Wins
Don't start with sentimental stuff—start with the low-hanging clutter. Try these:
🔹 Expired medications and pantry items
🔹 Holiday decorations still lingering in corners
🔹 Old magazines and unread newspapers
🔹 Kitchen gadgets you haven't touched in years
My client laughed when she found cold medicine from when her grandchildren were toddlers. "They're in college now!" That quick fifteen-minute task gave her the confidence to keep going.
📌 Quick Tip: Use a "maybe box" for things you're unsure about. Set a reminder—if you don't touch it in 30 days, you don't need it.
Pro Safety Tip: Use a sturdy step stool, never a chair. Better yet, collect items in a basket, then sort while seated comfortably. I learned this after a client tried reaching her top shelf using a rolling office chair. We spent that afternoon in urgent care instead of organizing.
2. Set a "Goodbye" Goal That Honors Your History
One item per day equals 31 gone by month's end. That's a whole drawer reclaimed!
Before packing away winter clothes, ask:
🧥 Did I wear this?
🥶 Was this coat warm enough?
🎄 Were these holiday decorations worth the effort?
💡 Body-Friendly Reminder: Don't lift heavy bins all at once. Sort items while seated and take breaks. Small steps beat big weekend purges every time. In my years doing this work, I've never seen anyone successfully organize their entire home in one weekend without giving up halfway through.
3. Keep the Best, Not the Most
Sentimental clutter is the hardest. But keeping everything honors nothing. It's like saving theater tickets for a show that's already closed.
When you find things connected to precious memories, pause. Consider what Eleanor, a recent widow, did with her late husband's fishing lures that had sat untouched for eight years. She chose three favorites to frame in a shadow box, photographed the rest, then gave the collection to her grandson who had taken up fishing. "Now when he visits, we have something meaningful to discuss," she told me, "instead of looking at dusty boxes in the garage."
📌 Quick Tip: Take photos of sentimental items before letting them go. The memories stay, even if the stuff doesn't.
4. Fix One High-Impact Space a Day
Choose a small but high-traffic area and set a 30-minute timer (or 15 or 10 minutes-just do it!). Great spots to start:
🔹 The entryway (so you're not tripping over shoes)
🔹 The kitchen counter (goodbye, paper piles!)
🔹 A bathroom cabinet (expired products, be gone!)
Set your timer. When it rings, take a break. Progress, not perfection. Even half-organized is better than chaos! And even small improvements make daily life easier.
I still remember when David, newly retired, finally cleared out his home office after a year of putting it off.
"I was afraid if I packed up my work life, I'd disappear too," he admitted. "But now I have space for my woodworking. Turns out I didn't disappear—I just changed.
5. Stop Clutter Before It Starts
The easiest spring decluttering happens before you bring things home. Before buying anything, ask yourself:
🛑 Do I need this, or am I shopping from habit?
🛑 Where will this live in my home?
🛑 Will this make life easier or create more to manage?
🛑 Would this be a burden if I needed to move?
One of my clients started asking herself these four questions before shopping—and figured she'd saved over $1,200 last year just by avoiding impulse purchases.
This Spring, Make Room for What Matters
Your goal isn't a perfect house that looks like a magazine. Your goal is a home that works for your real life—not the life you had before, not the life your neighbor has, but YOUR life now.
The best part of our stage of life is knowing what truly matters. This is your time. Let go of what no longer serves you, and create a home that reflects who you are right now.
Springe decluttering isn't about getting rid of everything—it's about creating a home that fits your life now.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to do it alone.
📞 Need help? We serve the Greater Toronto Area. Book a free consultation with In and Out Organizing. We'll help you sort, simplify, and make your space work for you.
Start today—just one small area—and feel the difference. 🌿