If you have read (or read about) “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo, you will be familiar with one of her most important rules for eventually having less stuff, and being happy about it. That is: you must consider all of your belongings by category, all together at once. That means you gather ALL of your belongings in a given category from everywhere inside (and sometimes outside) your home, and put them in one spot (such as the bedroom or living room floor). Then you handle each item and listen for your inner joy at owning it (or not). The order of categories is important, as you go from easiest to hardest to handle, and get better at it with each round.

I found it extremely helpful to go through the book and list out all of the categories she describes, with a few specific categories of my own. Your list would probably look a little different, depending on what kind of stuff you have. Make it your own, but definitely respect the general order.

Marie Kondo’s tidying order for maximum success

CLOTHES
tops
bottoms
hanging
socks
underwear
sleep wear
bags
hats
accessories
swim
yoga
exercise
hike/ski
labor (painting, etc)
shoes
coats/outerwear

BOOKS
general
practical/reference
visual
magazines

PAPERS

CDs/DVDs

BATHROOM

MAKEUP

VALUABLES

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

KITCHEN

SEWING

CRAFTING

SPORT/CAMP/OUTDOORS

DECORATIVE

KIDS’ TOYS/STUFF (do this with the kids)

SENTIMENTAL ITEMS

PHOTOS