A mudroom is a dedicated space intended to accommodate our active lifestyles while creating a flexible system that will start and end the day with order. These high-traffic spaces have the greatest potential to keep our lives on track, simplified and safe.

Parenting in a world full of excess often contradicts our best intentions to provide and connect with our kids. Why? Because it’s big business and they know how to hit one of our deepest trigger points — inadequacy. They plant the seed of doubt that we’re not doing enough and the roots grow instantly. They know the pressures we face and the comparison games we play. There’s a bigger conversation to be had about aligning our values with our consumer habits, but here are some starting points to restore order.

My clients often contact me because they have a desire to restore simplicity within their lives. The actions to achieve this are not complicated, but they have been disguised by design. The system benefits from promoting a comparison-driven society that idolizes consumerism and busyness.

We all know them, we all have them and we all struggle with how to organize them — the inevitable ‘junk’ drawer. Things that belong nowhere and everywhere at the same time. These are items that need to be easily accessible: pens, gum, gift cards, stamps or an extra charger but do not necessarily warrant their own designated space.

Ever wonder where to start? Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to tackle the clutter? Let me share a little secret, step one is not going to The Container Store.

Decluttering is all about the edit. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) found that 80% of items we keep are never used. This may sound like a daunting statistic, but use it as confirmation that it’s ok to let go! It’s important to set realistic expectations when it comes to the editing process. If peace is what we want, we must remove the excess. If we’re seeking connection, balance and more free time, we must get clear on what serves us and what doesn’t.

Clutter is often the physical manifestation of an underlying problem within ourselves. Despite our best efforts, it’s unrealistic to assume that we’ll never buy anything new after we make the decision to declutter. This is why it’s so critical to establish healthy consumer habits. It’s easy to maintain order when we become intentional about purchases and create a concrete organizational system that works for our lifestyle.