Harvesting Simplicity - Stop Organizing. Start Decluttering.
- Melissa Cotton
- Feb 25
- 2 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.
For many years I was really good at organizing all of the items in our home. Matching bins and containers, labels, and multiple storage rooms. However, despite all of my efforts it never made our lives easier. I was constantly managing a house full of items—most of which we were not using on a regular basis.
It took me far too long to realize that organizing and decluttering are not the same thing.
Organizing is about arranging. It asks, “Where should this go?” You buy containers, install shelves, create systems, and make everything look neat. The items are still there—you’ve just given them a home. Organizing is visual. It’s satisfying. It gives you quick results. But it doesn’t reduce the volume of what you own.
Decluttering, on the other hand, is about removing. It asks a much harder question: “Am I using this item?” Instead of finding better ways to store your excess, you reduce the excess altogether. Decluttering is quieter work. It requires decisions, honesty, and sometimes letting go of guilt or “just in case” thinking.
Here’s the key difference: organizing manages your stuff; decluttering reduces it.
When I focused only on organizing, I became the manager of our inventory. Every drawer, closet, and storage room required maintenance. The more we owned, the more systems I needed to keep it all under control. It looked beautiful—but it wasn’t peaceful.
When I began decluttering, something shifted. Fewer items meant fewer decisions.
Fewer decisions meant less stress. Suddenly, organizing became easier—not because I found better bins, but because there was less to put in them.
Organizing has its place. After you declutter, systems help your home function smoothly. But without decluttering first, organizing is just rearranging clutter.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed despite perfectly labeled containers, consider this: maybe you don’t need more storage solutions. Maybe you need less stuff.
Because the goal isn’t a perfectly organized house. You deserve a home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to live in.
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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