I unveil a five-step guide to decluttering clothes, emphasizing the emotional attachment to items. Step one is to pull out all clothes, sorting them into 'yes' (regularly worn), 'no' (damaged or unworn), and 'maybe' (sentimental) piles. Step two involves trying on items to assess their current fit and value. Step three is to set boundaries, like limiting hangers or drawers. Step four is to donate, sell, or repurpose unwanted items. Step five is to let go of items with gratitude. For managing children's mementos, Avery suggests creating three piles: keep and cherish, keep but reduce, and let go. She also recommends using photo and scrapbook boxes for sentimental items.

I start by unpacking why it’s so hard to let go of clothes—how identity, memories, guilt, and our “fantasy self” keep jeans from 2012 and sale items with tags still attached hanging around. Then I walk listeners through my five-step, guilt‑free wardrobe reset: pulling everything out, sorting into yes/no/maybe piles, actually trying things on, setting firm space boundaries, and finally donating, selling, or repurposing what no longer serves them. I emphasize that every item takes up mental space and that the real goal is a wardrobe that matches the life you live right now. In the second half, I welcome my friend Christy to talk about kids’ books, toys, and mementos. I share my three‑pile method for sentimental items, plus practical ideas like photo and scrapbook boxes, limits like “one shelf per child,” and the mindset of decluttering now so your kids don’t have to later. Throughout, I keep the focus on progress, compassion, and clarity.

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I dive into an often-overlooked clutter hotspot: photos, both digital and physical. I start by talking about the overwhelming number of images we keep on our phones—duplicates, random menus, travel shots, and multiple versions of the same scene—and explain how freeing it can be to systematically delete what we don’t need, starting from the oldest photos and working forward.

Then I welcome my friend Lori York, who’s struggling with boxes of old paper photos. I walk her (and listeners) through a simple, realistic system: gather all the photos, claim a dedicated workspace, and go through each picture one by one, deciding whether to keep or toss. Instead of fiddly albums, I recommend photo boxes organized by people, trips, or themes. Throughout, I emphasize that decluttering photos isn’t erasing memories—it’s honoring the ones that truly matter.

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I walk you through one of my foundational systems for getting organized: The Rule of Three. I explain why decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint, and how chasing a “done” to‑do list is unrealistic. Instead, I focus on building systems that make every new project manageable.

I introduce the Rule of Three: Creating a garbage pile, a donate pile, and a keep pile, and I add a crucial fourth ingredient—time. Without a proper block of time, even the best system will leave you frustrated. I share how I like using different colored garbage bags for each category so everything stays visually clear and easy to manage, and I stress the importance of emptying a space completely before organizing it.

Later in the episode, I’m joined by Sarah Burke from the Women in Media Podcast Network. Sarah lives in a Toronto condo and lives with ADHD, so we explore how micro decluttering—tiny, focused projects and functional zones—can make decluttering feel possible instead of overwhelming. I wrap up by assigning light homework: go buy three different colored boxes of garbage bags so you’re ready to use the Rule of Three anywhere in your home.

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Declutter and simplify your life; create space and get rid of the things that no longer serve you. As the Declutter Queen, I want you to see decluttering not as a chore, but as an opportunity to create more space in your life—both physically and mentally. My passion for organizing started long ago, as I found immense satisfaction helping friends turn chaos into order. I understand that decluttering can seem daunting, and starting is often the hardest part. Sentimental attachments and fears about letting go stop us, but the rewards—clarity, space, and happiness—are worth it. I don’t expect you to discard all your possessions; instead, let’s focus on removing what no longer serves you. You’re not alone—through this show, I’ll guide you and invite guests to share their journeys. Begin small by decluttering a drawer. Empty it, clean it, and only put back what you truly need. Celebrate the progress and recognize the freedom that comes with creating space. Together, we’ll take it one step at a time!

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Clear the chaos and reclaim your space with The Declutter Queen podcast. Host Avery Cundill shares practical, compassionate strategies to help you declutter not just your home, but your mind and life. From packed closets to overflowing inboxes, Avery explores the habits and emotional ties that keep us overwhelmed. Each episode guides you to let go of what no longer serves you, reduce stress, and make room for what truly matters. Access resources and support for your decluttering journey. Start listening for real clarity and calm.

Voiceover Credit: Mary Anne Ivison from Ivison Voice. She can voice your podcast trailer too.

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