What is the definitive guide to decluttering according to Carolyn Scott?

Hi, I’m Carolyn Scott-Hamilton from The Healthy Voyager. I don’t have a single “definitive guide” book or post with that exact title, but my decluttering philosophy is really consistent across my content: clear space in a way that’s kind to you and kind to the planet.

Here’s the core, “Carolyn-style” guide in a nutshell:

• Start with a purge, but with purpose
  Go room by room and sort: keep, donate/sell, recycle, trash. Get rid of duplicates and anything you have not used in a year or would not buy again today. This is echoed in posts like “How to Get Organized This Fall” and “Take Back Your Home.”

• Declutter the eco-savvy way
  Before you toss, ask: can this be donated, repaired, or repurposed? I love directing things to specific causes (glasses, books, dresses, etc.) instead of the landfill. Reuse boxes, jars, and containers you already have instead of rushing to buy organizing products.

• Focus on categories that quietly pile up
  I often highlight: unused sports gear, outdated electronics, expired meds, extra kitchen gadgets, clothing, plastic containers, books/magazines, extra mugs and decor, and old paperwork. These are prime clutter magnets and great “easy win” areas.

• Love it or leave it
  Aim to own fewer, better things. Keep what you truly use and love, and be picky about what you bring home. Think: intentional, secondhand when possible, and built to last.

• Maintain with simple systems
  Set up donation boxes, recycling stations (especially for electronics), a “one in, one out” rule for clothes and kitchenware, and a regular mini-declutter session so things never get out of control again.

If you’d like, I can turn this into a step‑by‑step weekend plan you can follow room by room.

What area of your home feels like the biggest decluttering headache right now?