Now that we’re firmly planted in March, it feels safe to say it out loud: spring is practically here. Along with bluer skies and brighter days, it also brings the perfect time of year for cleaning and organizing.
After a long and dormant winter, though, getting started on the mass decluttering can feel like a feat in and of itself. Where to begin? And how to approach all the extra stuff we’ve compiled through the holidays and beyond?
Luckily, Ryan Eisland from Home Sort is here to save us. We recently connected with the professional organizer, and she let us in on a secret: it all starts with one small step—literally.
Ryan Eisland is one of the founders of Home + Sort, a professional decluttering and organizing company.
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This advice can apply to so many things in life that overwhelm us—if you’re not sure where to begin, focus on one small task that feels manageable. Eisland says her preferred spot to assess first is the junk drawer.
Eisland likes to start by removing everything and throwing away anything that's truly trash. Think broken pens, used sticky notes, outdated soy sauce packets—everything you’ll never need again must go.
Next, assess what items might be better kept elsewhere, like tools that have migrated away from their more logical toolbox home.
“Then, use drawer inserts or dividers and replace items that are functional and needed,” Eisland says.
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Once you’ve tackled a small space, Eisland says the key here is to keep going. The same approach can be applied in larger areas, so carry the sense of accomplishment with you and tackle other drawers, cabinets, and rooms.
For her and the rest of the Home Sort team, this often means moving on from the junk drawer to the rest of the kitchen.
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