So you’ve made it through the holidays, only to look around and wonder, “What do I do with all this new stuff?”
Claire Peters, who calls herself “De Queen of Declutter,” says this time of year can be especially hard, because people have emotional attachments to items given as gifts. She suggests people assess what they don’t use or don’t even like and get it out of their house by donating it so others can get some enjoyment out of it.
Holly Whittlef
Peters’ job is to help people manage their clutter. She began her organizing advice business in 2014, just about the same time that Marie Kondo’s wildly popular book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was published.
“People are more motivated to tidy up now than ever before,” says Peters. “I almost feel as if clutter has become the new smoking in some ways. Decluttering has become the thing to do.”
People can “think more clearly, be more productive and be happier when they have less clutter,” she says.
Do people really need help in getting stuff out of their living spaces? “It can be very difficult to let go of things, and having someone there to help with that can be really beneficial,” says Peters.
With a master’s degree in counseling from the UW-Madison and a day job for the past 15 years as a career counselor at her alma mater, Peters approaches her clients in a kind, nonjudgmental way.
“I would never presume to know what someone needs to get rid of,” says Peters. “It’s really about listening and empathy.”
When a potential client contacts Peters, she does an initial assessment of their needs over the phone or by email. Next, she visits the client’s space, preferably in person, although sometimes she continues the process over the phone or via Skype if the client prefers.
For $150, Peters offers the “Three-Hour Jump Start,” helping clients decide where to start — be it a kitchen cabinet or corner of a closet. She gently guides the process of choosing what stays and what goes. She’ll also provide tips to keep the clutter at bay when she leaves, and even make the haul to the donation center of your choice for you.
Developing a system of organization that works for you is crucial in managing the clutter, says Peters. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; it just has to keep the mess under control. One rule of thumb: Everything has a place, and it should always be put back in that place when you’re done with it, she says.
Go through both objects and papers on a set schedule — weekly, monthly, whatever works for you — and toss, recycle or shred whatever you don’t need. Don’t pile stuff up indefinitely on your dining room table, which is something Peters sees a lot of.
After all, she asks, “What do you actually want to use your furniture for?”
