We Asked Pro Organizers to Finally Debunk These Decluttering Myths

When it comes to home organizing, there are a lot of common misconceptions floating around. We spoke with pro organizers and asked them to debunk some of the main myths that we often hear when it comes to decluttering, and you may be surprised at what they share below.

Janet Bernstein, a professional organizer and founder of The Organizing Professionals, notes that many times, clients are fearful of parting ways with their items during the decluttering process. In reality, though, it's extremely rare that giving an item away causes any feelings of regret.

«I have been a professional organizer for 16 years and I can count on less than one hand the times a client has told me they have regretted donating or giving away an item,» she says.

Better yet, not only do Bernstein's clients not miss the items they've donated to someone else, but they also find that the experience of doing so allows them to feel more comfortable in their own homes.

«Our clients repeatedly mention how much lighter they feel after they have gone through the decluttering process,» Bernstein says.

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On the other hand, perhaps you're not worried about missing an item you've parted ways with but fear that you'll end up donating something that will come in handy down the line.

«The word might here is the anchor that could weigh down progress when it comes to decluttering,» Hayley Anderson, a professional organizer and the founder of Meraki Home Organization, says. She explains how making fear-based organizing decisions on a future maybe will not bring any value in the here and now.

Anderson encourages her clients to put these «may need» items into a box in the garage for six months. If they do not end up proving useful during