Harvesting Simplicity - A to Z Decluttering: Simplify Your Space in 2026
- Melissa Cotton
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity. She covers a variety of topics presented by Joshua Becker and others to help guide us all to live a more 'stuff-free' lifestyle. Just because it is free, does not mean we need to take and give it space in our lives.
If the idea of decluttering feels overwhelming, try a simpler approach in 2026. Here is a list of 26 things to declutter—one for each letter of the alphabet, designed to keep things manageable and stress free.
No marathons. No perfection. Just one thoughtful decision at a time. Small changes, real impact, and a little more space in your home with every letter!
A — Appliances You Never Use
If it hasn’t earned a place in your daily routine, it doesn’t deserve space in your home.
B — Books You’ll Never Read or Reread
Keep the ones you are currently using and let go of the rest.
C — Cables and Cords
If you don’t know what it connects to, it’s already clutter.
D — Duplicate Items
The extras are just taking up valuable space.
E — Expired Products
Food, makeup, medicine—past their date, past their purpose.
F — Free Items
Freebie alert: Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it deserves a spot in your home—choose only what truly adds value.
G — Guilt Items
Objects kept out of obligation still cost you peace and space. Permission to let them go.
H — Hangers You Don’t Need
Extra hangers: the freeloaders of your closet. Time to donate the excess.
I — Instruction Manuals
These are now online. Your drawers deserve the space. Time to recycle them.
J — “Just in Case” Items
Holding onto things ‘just in case’ usually means saving clutter for a problem that may never happen.
K — Kitchen Towels
Old towels and dish cloths: replace, recycle, or repurpose them.
L — Lids Without Matching Containers
They’ve already been separated. Let them go.
M — Magazines
They pile up quickly, take up space, and often contain information you will never revisit.
N — Necklaces
Let go of tangled, forgotten, or outdated jewelry you no longer wear.
O — Old Electronics
If it no longer fits your life, it doesn’t belong in your space.
P — Paper Piles
Recycle what you don’t need and keep only the papers that truly matter.
Q — Quilts or Blankets You’re Not Using
Time to let go of extra bedding. Someone else will put it to good use.
R — Receipts You No Longer Need
Keep what’s required. Let go of the rest.
S — Sentimental Items That No Longer Bring Joy
Memories live within you, not the object.
T — Tools
Let go of duplicates or broken ones.
U — Unused Apps or Subscriptions
Digital clutter counts.
V — Visible Surface Clutter
Clear one surface entirely—and enjoy how great it feels.
W — Worn-Out Clothes
Let go of clothes that no longer fit or feel good to wear.
X — X-Mas and Other Holiday Decorations
Keep only the holiday decorations that you truly enjoy and use each year.
Y — Yearbooks
Keep the yearbooks you actually look at frequently and let go of the rest.
Z — Zip Drives
Replace old zip drives with USB flash drives or cloud storage for faster, more reliable file access.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore—it can actually be kind of fun! Tackle one letter, one item, or one little pile at a time and celebrate each win. Before you know it, your home feels lighter, brighter, and a whole lot happier.
Melissa is a first grade teacher with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. After reading T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, she stopped eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and has been eating a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet. In December 2023, she earned Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Coaching Certificate. Melissa is an active member of the National Health Association (NHA).
Melissa is also the writer/creator of our 2024 blog series Exploring GBOMBS. Her love for teaching and learning will support others on their journey for optimal health and wellness.
(currently publishing monthly)
(previously published)
Be well
Stop.Breathe.Focus.Move.Flow.
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