This Decluttering Method Helped Me Clear 500 Items Fast
About the episode
Decluttering doesn’t have to take months. I cleared over 500 items from my home in just four days using a simple, flexible challenge that made organizing easier, lighter, and surprisingly fun.
Helpful Links:
Links mentioned in this episode (some may be affiliate links):
I decluttered 500+ items in four days!
Decluttering doesn’t always look like overflowing junk drawers or packed closets. Sometimes it looks like a home that feels “fine”…but still holds more than you need.
In this episode, Deanna shares a personal experiment that completely surprised her. Using a flipped version of a traditional decluttering challenge, she removed 500 items from her home in just four days without creating mess, stress, or burnout.
You’ll hear why starting big worked better than starting small, how gamifying decluttering changed everything, and why flexibility matters more than perfection when you’re letting things go.
Deanna also walks through exactly where those 500 items came from, what was harder to declutter than expected, and how donating with intention made the process even more meaningful.
If you’ve been craving a clutter-free home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to maintain, this episode will show you what’s possible, even if you already think you’ve “done the work.”
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why traditional decluttering challenges don’t work for everyone
Where clutter hides, even in organized homes
A flexible way to count items without getting stuck
How to declutter without making a bigger mess
What to do with items that are ready to leave your home
Why letting go of “perfectly good” things can feel hard
How decluttering supports intentional living in this season of life
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Decluttering Challenge
06:05 Why traditional decluttering challenges didn’t work for me
11:59 Day-by-Day Decluttering Process
17:48 How I counted items without stress or rules
23:54 What I did with the decluttered items
30:07 What surprised me most about the process
35:56 Why I’m doing this challenge again
Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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About Deanna Yates
Based in San Diego, CA, Deanna helps high-achieving moms clear the clutter from their homes and lives.
Through coaching, courses, summits, and her top-ranked Wannabe Clutter Free podcast, she supports modern women in building organized, peaceful homes where they can thrive.
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