From Wishful Thinking to Decluttering Clarity: How the ‘Information’ Step Pre-Decides What Belongs in Your Home

Decluttering doesn't start with your stuff... it starts with a decision. Know what information you need to take action and clearing the clutter becomes easier and clearer.

There’s a moment most of us miss when we begin decluttering. We walk into a room, feel overwhelmed by the stuff, and assume the first step is to start picking things up.

But here’s a gentle truth: decluttering doesn’t begin when you grab the first item. It begins when you get clear on what your life looks like now.

That moment of clarity is what turns chaos into calm. And that’s exactly what the Information step in the Decide & Declutter Framework is designed to do.

In this post, we’ll explore:

• What the Information step really means

• Why it prevents emotional detours and decision fatigue

• How to use it to define what belongs before you touch a single thing

Ready to declutter with more ease and less second-guessing? Let’s dive in.

The Real Problem: Organizing Without Direction

Most of us don’t lack effort or motivation. What we lack is clarity.

We dive into organizing systems, buy bins, watch videos, and yet our homes still feel overwhelming. Why? Because we skipped a step. We never clearly defined what our life needs now.

That’s what the Information step provides.

It bridges the vision you created in the Insight step—how you want your space to feel and function—with the practical process of identifying what belongs, what doesn’t, and why.

Without it, you end up organizing things you no longer need, keeping things "just in case," and wondering why the clutter always returns.

A Better Path Forward: From Desire to Design

The Information step is not about collecting data or researching the best method. It’s about translating your desires into clear, tangible patterns.

It asks:

• What happens in this space?

• What supports that activity?

• What distracts from it?

• What’s here that never gets used?

Take the dining table, for example. If your dream is to host dinner parties, but your table is covered in work papers and unopened mail, there’s friction. The Information step helps you see that—before you ever move a thing.

And that awareness? It changes everything.

My Story: Letting Go of "Just in Case"

Years ago, I realized my wardrobe hadn’t caught up with my lifestyle. I was working as a nature teacher and spending a lot of time outdoors.

And yet, my closet told a different story.

It was filled with structured workwear and "someday" outfits that no longer matched the rhythm of my days. I kept them "just in case."

But one afternoon, standing in front of that closet, I asked myself: "What do I really need to support the life I’m living now?"

That was the shift.

I let go of clothes while they were still useful to someone else. And more importantly, I let go of the version of myself I no longer needed to be.

The Step-by-Step Process: Doing the Information Step

Here’s how to apply the Information step in any room of your home:

1. Stand in the space. Pause and ask: What do I do here? Sleep, eat, work, relax?

2. Look at what’s displayed. Does it support those activities, or distract from them?

3. Note what’s stored. What’s here that never gets used in this room?

4. Spot the outliers. What doesn’t belong here... or in your life anymore?

5. Decide ahead of time. How will you let go of what no longer fits? Will you donate, give away, or recycle?

This is not about perfection. It’s about pattern recognition and conscious choice.

You’re not just making a list. You’re creating a compass... a decluttering compass.

Emotional Truth: Letting Go of Old Versions of You

Sometimes, what’s hardest to release isn’t the object... it’s the identity tied to it.

Old hobbies. Past roles. Former versions of yourself. These live quietly in your home, tucked into corners and drawers, waiting for acknowledgment.

The Information step helps you see these things not with judgment, but with gentleness.

You’re not erasing your past. You’re honoring your present.

Because decluttering doesn’t change your life. It reveals how your life has already changed.

The Shift: From Spinning to Confidence

When you take the time to do the Information step, here’s what happens:

• You stop spinning in circles every time you declutter.

• You conserve your emotional energy.

• You no longer ask, "Should I keep this?" because you already know what serves you.

It replaces the need for motivation or willpower with grounded clarity. And that’s what makes it sustainable.

Your Next Step: Try It Today

Pick one room. Walk through the five questions above.

Notice what feels aligned. Notice what feels like a distraction.

You don’t need to touch a thing yet. Just notice. Just observe.

And when you’re ready to move forward, you’ll already have the clarity to do so with confidence.

Decluttering Decision-Making - Step Two: Information

Do I have to write anything down for the Information step to work? Not necessarily. Some people find a quick list helpful, but even a 5-minute walk-through with awareness can spark major clarity.

What if I notice things that belong to someone else? Great insight. Simply note them... you can't make decisions for someone else. However, as you gain confidence making your own decisions, you can inspire others. You don’t need to solve everything at once.

I feel sad noticing how much doesn’t align anymore. Is that normal? Completely. That sadness is part of letting go. But it’s also part of moving forward with compassion.

What if my space serves multiple purposes? That’s common. Focus on clarity first. Is how you're using the space how you want to use the space? What's interfering or getting in the way? For example, doing paperwork in the kitchen gets in the way of preparing meals or exercise equipment in the bedroom makes it difficult for you to relax.

How do I avoid getting stuck in overthinking? Keep the focus simple: What supports your life now? If something doesn’t, it can be noted for later... no rush to act immediately.

When You Trust Your Choices, Your Home... and Your Life... Start to Feel Free Again.