Okay, let’s be real. Decluttering sounds like the adult version of “spring cleaning”—like, a nice thought in theory, but then you get halfway through and find yourself knee-deep in old concert t-shirts and expired mascara. Anyway, here’s the kicker: decluttering doesn’t have to be a three-week-long saga. You can actually get your house into a pretty decent shape in 7 days. Stick with me—this isn’t just some “throw everything out and call it a day” advice. We’re making a real, lasting change here.

Day 1: Get Your Game Plan Together (No, Seriously)

You can’t just dive in without a plan. Trust me. My first attempt at decluttering was a disaster—picture me sorting through a closet and ending up crying over a pair of jeans that were three sizes too small. (Why did I keep those?)

Anyway, you need a solid plan.

What you need to do:

• Make a list of what needs attention. Don’t even think about starting in the kitchen when your bedroom is crying for help.
• Figure out where stuff’s going to go. Is it trash? Donations? A yard sale? (And don’t lie to yourself—you don’t need three mismatched lamps. No one’s buying those.)
• Set realistic goals. Decluttering your whole house in one day? That’s cute, but don’t do that to yourself.

Now go grab a cup of coffee, because you’ve got work to do. Trust the process.

Day 2: Bedroom—Where You Sleep, Not Where You Hoard

Day 2’s all about the bedroom. Listen, if you’re one of those people who’s been using their closet as a black hole for lost socks and empty shoe boxes, it’s time to get serious.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom:

• Tackle the closet: Okay, I’ll be real. I once kept a jacket from 2008 because I might wear it at some point. Never happened. Time to let go.
• Get rid of random nightstand junk: You don’t need 12 pens and a bunch of receipts you’ll never use. Throw ‘em out. Your nightstand will thank you.
• Clear under the bed: This is where things go to die. I’ve found old receipts, a single sock, and once—no kidding—an entire bag of potato chips I forgot about. Don’t let this happen to you.

Pro Tip: If you’re like me, you’ll be tempted to keep “sentimental” things. But ask yourself: Will I ever use this again? Really?

Day 3: Kitchen—The War Zone

The kitchen is where clutter goes to multiply. Like, the moment you step away from the counter, five new bottles of olive oil show up. Anyway, if you’re still holding on to a blender from 2002 that hasn’t been touched in years, let’s talk.

Decluttering Your Kitchen:

• Check expiration dates: That half-used jar of peanut butter you’ve had since 2011? It’s not just outdated; it’s alive with memories of bad decisions. Toss it.
• Clear out unnecessary gadgets: How many times have you actually used that fondue set? I’m guessing, like, never. Donate it.
• Organize the pantry: Get rid of half-eaten boxes of crackers from when you thought you were gonna start a diet. You didn’t, and that’s okay.

Remember: The fewer things you have in your kitchen, the easier it is to cook. And let’s face it—finding your kitchen counter again feels like winning a mini lottery.

Day 4: Living Room—The Family Circus

Here’s a fun fact: The average family of four has about 47 remote controls just lying around. If you’ve got random magazines scattered across your coffee table from, uh, last year, it’s time to declutter.

Declutter Checklist for the Living Room:

• Sort through the clutter: Magazines? Check. That random gift card you found under the couch? Check. Throw ‘em out.
• Tidy up the shelves: I get it, books are sentimental—but if your shelves are more “dusty graveyard” than “book sanctuary,” it’s time to part with a few.
• Get rid of old décor: Look, if that plastic plant from Target is looking sadder than usual, it’s time to declutter that too.

Day 5: Bathroom—Don’t Forget Those Hidden Piles

Ah, the bathroom. It’s small, but it’s full. Full of things you’ll never use again. Look under your sink—go on, I’ll wait. How many half-empty shampoo bottles do you really need?

Declutter Your Bathroom:

• Toss expired toiletries: If it’s older than your last relationship, throw it out. Trust me.
• Declutter the medicine cabinet: Do you need 18 different types of toothpaste? Nope.
• Organize under the sink: Those half-empty cleaning supplies? Get rid of ‘em. Everything’s getting organized now.

I know, I know. It feels like you’re just constantly throwing things away. But trust me—future you will thank you when you’re not tripping over 3-year-old shampoo bottles.

Day 6: Get a Handle on the Paper Pile

Somehow, every time I blink, my kitchen table is buried under a mountain of papers. Bills, receipts, coupons, old to-do lists…

Here’s the deal: The papers gotta go.

Declutter Your Paperwork:

• Sort through old paperwork: If you’re holding on to old bills from 2018, you can safely toss them. If the IRS hasn’t asked for it yet, they probably don’t need it.
• Organize your desk: Cables. Pens. Post-its. Those things can be grouped, tucked away, and made neat.
• Create a filing system: If you really must keep stuff, make it organized. Trust me, future-you will be grateful.

Day 7: Maintenance—Keep It Clean, Folks

You’ve done it. You’ve decluttered your entire house. Now, the trick is keeping it that way.

How to Maintain Your Newly Decluttered Home:

• Adopt the one-in, one-out rule: Bought a new jacket? Great. Donate an old one.
• Declutter regularly: A quick 10-minute tidy-up a few times a week goes a long way.
• Mindful shopping: Stop buying things you don’t need. I mean it. Don’t be me—don’t buy that fifth set of throw pillows just because they were on sale.

And there you have it. A decluttered home, seven days later. It wasn’t easy, but you did it. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you walk in, right? (Also, don’t mind me if I’m silently trying to figure out how to declutter my garage next.)

Let me know what you think—or if you’ve got any additional tricks up your sleeve. I’m still figuring out how to tackle the garage, and I may need more coffee.