The Philosophy
To get started, It’s a great idea to review some of the the philosophy first. If you have 10 minutes, then please review The Domestic Angel Philosophy - Part 1 and The Domestic Angel Philosophy - Part 2.
This is foundational when it comes to understanding the approach I will use in this program.
What to expect on the day
The biggest goal today will be determining the function of the space, and using that to decide what can stay.
We’ll develop some personalised rules that will work for you, to give us a clear framework, so when we’re deep in the decluttering process, you’ll always know exactly what to do next and what decision to make.
Getting Ready
Our intensive session will involve a lot of quick, intuitive decisions. For some people, this can sometimes be tiring on the mind. It is important to take good care of yourself before, and throughout the decluttering session.
On the day - I recommend:
- Eating a substantial meal before we begin (oats, eggs on toast, etc) - you’ll want to be fueled and ready to go
- Have water bottles ready and within easy reach
- Consider preparing a hot drink (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) in a thermos
- Pack some easy snacks like trail mix or a sushi roll to keep your energy up
Trust me, having these small preparations ready for your physical care will make a huge difference on the day!
What You’ll Need For Session 1
When it comes to decluttering, the process is a lot smoother if you have the following supplies ready and on hand.
Black Durable Trash Bags
The biggest goal with decluttering is letting things go. It’s a good idea to have plenty of sturdy bags trash bags ready. We want to make it as easy as possible to remove anything that no longer belongs.
A ‘Donatable’ Donate Box
You’ll likely have items still in great condition that deserve a second life.
Here’s my recommendation: use a box or container that you can donate along with the items inside. You can pick up boxes from bunnings or the fruit shop for this purpose.
At the end of the day, simply place the box and its contents in your car. Then, when you drop it at your local charity, you can leave the whole thing behind - box and all. This is honestly the easiest and most effective way to handle donations.
A Time-Will-Tell Box
Sometimes, it’s hard to let things go, and we just can’t bring ourselves to do it yet.
But I also want you to experience what living in your space with less stuff could be like.
So, here’s a middle-ground; if you really want to keep something, but it’s not necessarily a ‘must have’, a time-will-tell box is perfect. You’re not throwing it out, you’re not selling it, and you’re not donating it - you’re simply getting it out of sight and out of mind, at least for the time being.
If, in say 12 months, you haven’t needed the item (or even missed it), chances are you’ve detached from it and it will be easier to let go.
Why 12 months? This timeframe lets you test whether you actually use the item. It takes you through all four seasons - summer holidays, winter hiking, spring cleaning, autumn gatherings. If you haven’t reached for it even once through an entire year, it’s probably not worth the precious space that it’s taking up.
Optional Cleaning Supplies (Use Sparingly!)
I know how tempting it is to clean once you’ve uncovered those hidden surfaces! While I don’t generally recommend cleaning during decluttering, I understand that urge can be impossible to resist.
So, let’s just keep it minimal by having:
- A handheld vacuum (optional)
- Some all-purpose cleaner and paper towel (optional)
This should be enough to satisfy any cleaning urges while keeping your focus where it belongs - on decluttering. I promise you’ll have plenty of time to deep clean once the transformation is complete.
A Dedicated Notepad and Pen
This is important! Throughout our journey together, we’ll be using this notebook to:
- Write down the “rules” as we define them
- Discern your categories for this space
- Journal your thoughts and feelings in Week 2
I love using a real notepad and pen. There’s something powerful about handwriting. It slows our brain down, creates space between our thoughts and our reactions, and helps us gain the clarity we need to make confident decisions. This process really responds to a mindful, handwritten approach.
FAQs
“Help! I’m anxious and I don’t feel ready yet!”
For many people, decluttering has the potential to bring up deep emotions.
Some common emotional responses are:
- embarrassment
- excitement
- overwhelm
- resistance
- uncertainty (unsure what to expect)
All of these are normal and simply part of the process.
If you find yourself having a strong emotional response before the day, here are some gentle ways to care for yourself:
1. The Walk & Warm Drink Remedy Have a hot (or iced) chocolate milk and go for a walk outside. There are few things in life that don’t feel at least a little better after this simple ritual.
2. Breathwork Take five minutes to breathe deeply - in through your nose for four counts, hold for four, out through your mouth for six. Repeat until you feel your shoulders drop.
3. Journaling Perhaps this process is bringing up feelings that need space to be expressed. Try these prompts:
- “What am I really afraid will happen?”
- “What would I love this space to feel like when we’re done?”
Remember No one is here to judge you. Whatever feelings are coming up, we’ll work through them together.
By the end of this process, you’re going to end up with a space that feels amazing - and you deserve that.
The Sell vs. Donate Question
This comes up a lot, and I get it. When we’re letting go of items in good condition, it can feel wasteful not to try selling them.
Here’s my honest perspective: consider the true cost.
Selling items means photographing them, writing descriptions, posting online, responding to messages, negotiating prices, and arranging pickups. For many people, these items will continue to sit in a pile for months (even with the best of intentions), becoming just another item on a never-ending to-do list.
If you’re time-poor, I genuinely suggest donating.
You’re giving these items a beautiful second life while supporting your local charity. Plus, you’re freeing yourself from the burden of “getting around to it.”
I know it can feel uncomfortable to donate valuable things. But that’s okay. Sit with that discomfort for a moment. Sometimes the discomfort becomes our greatest teacher, helping us consume more mindfully in the future.
How Big is a Time-Will-Tell Box?
A time-will-tell box is as big as you need it to be - and as big as you can comfortably fit.
This will vary for everyone. Some people take this concept to the nth degree, where they might have a time-will-tell room (otherwise known as the “doom room”), or in some cases, even a storage unit!
Whatever size works for you, there are a couple of important things to consider:
1. This is an interim tool: It’s here to help you detach slowly and gently. This isn’t meant to be a permanent solution - it’s a bridge between where you are now and where you’re going.
2. You can only hold onto as much as you actually have space for: and nothing more. Your home’s capacity is what it is, and respecting that boundary is part of creating the harmonious space you deserve.
The key is being honest with yourself about what “temporarily holding on” really means, and making sure it doesn’t become another form of clutter that weighs on you.
I can't wait to begin! See you soon for your session.