Decluttering means removing unnecessary items, sorting and arranging, or putting things back in place. This article deals with organizing places of residence and commercial buildings, but the principles can also be applied to other areas. The activity can be done independently, or with help from family, friends, or professionals. There are many methods for systematic decluttering and organizing. Some examples include Julie Morgenstern's SPACE, Danshari, and Konmari. In Danshari, a distinction is made between minimalists (who try to minimize their belongings) and those who try to optimize their belongings.

History

Cutting out unnecessary things, letting go of superfluous things, and becoming free of ones attachment to things has its roots in

Buddhist philosophy Buddhist philosophy is the ancient Indian Indian philosophy, philosophical system that developed within the religio-philosophical tradition of Buddhism. It comprises all the Philosophy, philosophical investigations and Buddhist logico-episte ...

. In 1984, professional organizing emerged as an industry in Los Angeles, USA. In 2009, Hideko Yamashita introduced the Danshari method in her book ''Danshari: Shin Katazukejutsu'' (original title: 人生を変える断捨離). Danshari er constructed by the words ''dan'' (refuse), ''sha'' (dispose) and ''ri'' (separate). In 2010, Danshari was nominated for a prize for new

buzzword A buzzword is a word or phrase, new or already existing, that becomes popular for a period of time. Buzzwords often derive from technical terms yet often have much of the original technical meaning removed through fashionable use, being simply ...

s awarded by the Japanese publisher Jiyuukokuminsha. Since then, there has been a resurgence of other authors and influencers sharing their decluttering methodologies. A notable example is the Konmari decluttering method named after

Marie Kondo , also known as , is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and TV presenter. Kondo has written four books on organizing, which have collectively sold millions of copies around the world. Her books have been translated from Japanese into s ...

. In 2015, she was listed as one of the world's 100 most influential people by ''Time Magazine''.

Professional organizers

A professional organizer helps individuals and companies with organization. In addition to the actual organizing process and implementation of systems and processes, it can be just as important that the client learns methods so that they can maintain order and master organizing independently in the future. They can help clients identify the severity of clutter and how it may impact the safety of their space As one of their main jobs, professional organizers help clients reduce excessive clutter (paper, books, clothing, shoes, office supplies, home decor items, etc.) in the home or in the office. For homeowners, a professional organizer might plan and reorganize the flow and space of a room, improve paper management, consult on organizing skills (space, data, objects) or productivity skills (time, information, priorities) such as calendaring or task management, or

coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of Athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Coac ...

time-management Time management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities—especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. Time management involves demands relating to work, social ...

, or goal-setting. This may also include body doubling. In a

business Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or Trade, buying and selling Product (business), products (such as goods and Service (economics), services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for ...

setting, professional organizers work closely with their clients to increase

productivity Productivity is the efficiency of production of goods or services expressed by some measure. Measurements of productivity are often expressed as a ratio of an aggregate output to a single input or an aggregate input used in a production proce ...

by streamlining paper filing and storage of digital files, organizing supplies or inventory, and assisting with employee time management. Organizers may be additionally trained in brain-based challenges such as left and right-brained strength/dominance, ADHD, OCD, hoarding, autism, chronic disorganization (CD), dementia, alzheimer's, other vulnerable populations, and special populations such as children, students, creative-types and seniors.

In popular culture

The organizing industry has been popularized through a number of TV programs. Among others, the British reality show ''

Life Laundry ''The Life Laundry'' is a BBC reality TV show that ran for three series from 2002 to 2004. It was first broadcast on BBC Two on 30 January 2002. The show was billed by the BBC as an "interiors programme with a difference", dealing with the transf ...

'' ran for three seasons from 2002 to 2004. Other examples of English-language programs include ''Clean Sweep'', ''Neat'', ''Mission: Organization'', '' Tidying Up with Marie Kondo'', ''Hot Mess House'', and '' Get Organized with The Home Edit an
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
''

Methods

There are a number of different decluttering methods and frameworks that can be used either by individuals by themselves or under the guidance of professionals. The methods can be used from simple tasks such as designing a functional

closet A closet (especially in North American English usage) is an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage, particularly that of clothes. ''Fitted closets'' are built into the walls of the house so that they take up no apparent space in the roo ...

to complex tasks such as organizing a cross-country

move Move or The Move may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Move (company), an American online real estate company * Move (electronics store), a defunct Australian electronics retailer * Daihatsu Move, a Japanese car * PlayStation Move, a motion ...

SPACE method

Writer

Julie Morgenstern Julie Morgenstern is an organizing & productivity consultant, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker. For over 30 years, Julie has been teaching people all around the world how to design systems that free them to make their unique contri ...

suggests communicating these principles by using the acronym "SPACE", interpreted as: * Sort * Purge * Assign a home * Containerize * Equalize The last step ("E") consists of monitoring how the new system that has been created is working, adjusting it if needed, and maintaining it. This principle is applicable to every type of organization.

Danshari method

In the danshari method of Hideko Yamashita, the three parts of the word dan-sha-ri refers to: * Refuse: Refrain from unnecessary things you come across or are offered * Dispose: Throw away unnecessary or unused things * Separate: Let go and free yourself from attachment to things or desires for superfluous things Rejecting what is not needed, throwing it away and refraining from depending on it is said to open one's mind, approach perfection and lead an easier and more comfortable life.

Konmari method

In the konmari method of Marie Kondo, one begins by collecting all of one's belongings, one category at a time, and then chooses to keep only the things that spark joy and choose a place for everything from then on. Kondo advises to start the process of decluttering by quickly and completely throwing away what is in the house that does not inspire joy. Following this philosophy will recognize the utility of each item, and help the owner learn more about themselves, which will help them more easily decide what to keep or discard. Kondo says her method is partly inspired by the

Shintō , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes ...

religion. Decluttering and organizing things properly can be a spiritual practice in Shintoism, which is concerned with the energy or divine spirit (''

kami are the Deity, deities, Divinity, divinities, Spirit (supernatural entity), spirits, mythological, spiritual, or natural phenomena that are venerated in the traditional Shinto religion of Japan. ''Kami'' can be elements of the landscape, forc ...

'') of things and the right way of living (''

kannagara , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes ...

''). This can be done by showing the valuable objects you own as (not necessarily actual monetary value) so that you can value the object.

Virtual Organizing

Introduction Virtual organizing is a process to deliver professional organizing services. Professional organizing and productivity guidance is provided virtually or remotely in real-time or recorded communication. Instruction uses the technology of internet video conferencing platforms, telephone/text, and email to help individuals, organizations, and businesses organize physical home and office spaces and/or digital files and storage to achieve goals regardless of geographical distance. The goal is to bring efficiency and/or a feeling of peace, calm and control to people’s lives. AI-only assisted methods exist as well.

Certification

NAPO In April 200
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals
launched the world-class Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) credential administered by the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers® (BCPO®), recognized as the industry standard for professional organizers. Certified Professional Organizers will perform assessments of client(s)' habits and routines, perception, personal preferences (learning/behavior styles), organizing skills (e.g., space, data, objects), productivity skills (e.g., time, information, priorities), technological/computer skills, physical considerations (e.g., injury, illness, limited mobility), mental health considerations (e.g.,

ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple ...

, OCD,

hoarding Hoarding is the act of engaging in excessive acquisition of items that are not needed or for which no space is available. Civil unrest or the threat of natural disasters may lead people to hoard foodstuffs, water, gasoline, and other essentials ...

, dimentia) and other factors (e.g., influence of age, religion, culture). They will evaluate the environment's characteristics of physical space (e.g., square footage, power source, doors/windows, furniture and equipment and safety. They will identify external factors (e.g., company policies, family dynamics, lease agreements) and determine available budget. They will develop a project plan by reviewing their assessment, determining scope, prioritizing objectives, determining tasks, identifying resources such as organizing (e.g., containers/labels), productivity (e.g., calendar/task management systems) and technology (digital storage, cloud-based, online, devices, apps) tools, furniture and equipment, referrals (e.g., other professionals, educational materials), and removal options (e.g., donation, disposal, selling, shredding).They will establish a timeline, estimate costs (e.g., consulting fees, supplies, vendors), and finalize the project plan. They will implement the approved project plan by teaching, transferring and applying organizing and productivity fundamentals and methodologies (e.g., consolidating, sorting, categorizing, eliminating excess, identifying and optimizing containers, decision-making, maximizing function and usability, process and workflow, goal setting and prioritization, planning and time management, maintaining systems, optimizing personal resources such as energy, money and health, creation of routines and habits, set boundary-setting and delegation.), use communication skills of clarification, negotiation and influence, address challenges and obstacles such as procrastination, perfectionism and scope creep, manage the project (e.g., resources, budget, schedule and expectations and evaluate client satisfaction of processes, timeline and resources. They will follow up and maintain the project by evaluating effectiveness and sustainability of changes, transfer of skills and make recommendations of modifications and resources. They will recognize and apply the BCPO Code of Ethics and they will attend to protection of records, identity and cybersecurity.

Problematic decluttering

In some cases, people can get so caught up in clearing that they end up throwing away or selling things that belong to family members without permission of the owners. This can be done either intentionally or unintentionally. This can include collections that are valuable financially and/or emotionally and can be a factor in divorces. It is not necessarily destructive to throw away other people's things, but to avoid misunderstandings it is important for couples who live together to communicate and agree on their values. After the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

, the lack of availability of food and other necessities clarified possible disadvantages of living without stocks of basic supplies. Some minimalists thus changed their mindset accordingly, leading to speculation on whether the number of "preppers" will increase.

References

External links

New York Times article
on using professional organizing services.
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
on chronic disorganization].
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals

International OCD Foundation

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

The International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations

American Society of Professional Organizers

National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers
Organization Coaching Time management Ordering