Decluttering After 40 Years in a Home: One Client’s Inspiring Journey

Have you lived in the same home for decades and now find yourself facing the overwhelming task of letting things go? Or maybe you’re planning to move to a smaller home in the future and wonder how you’ll ever sort through everything you’ve accumulated over the years? 

You’re not alone. As a professional organizer, I often work with seniors who are preparing to downsize after 30, 40, or even 50 years in the same home. 

It can feel like an impossible task! But with the right mindset, some practical strategies, and a bit of support, it is possible. 

In this post, I’m sharing the story of one of my clients who decluttered nearly her entire home over the course of a year. Her journey is an inspiring example of what’s possible when you start early and take it one step at a time. And I’ll be sharing tips along the way to help you do the same.

Margaret’s Decluttering Journey

After living in the same home for over 40 years, “Margaret” (name changed for privacy) was ready for a new chapter. Her adult children had moved away. Her husband had passed away a few years earlier. And while their home was full of love and memories, it was also full of things. Some were cherished, but most had simply accumulated over time. 

As a professional organizer, I had the honour of working with Margaret over the course of a year as she steadily and determinedly decluttered 90–95% of her belongings.

Margaret’s story is one I often see in my work, and her success offers helpful lessons for anyone facing a similar whole-home decluttering journey. Especially if you’re preparing to move to a smaller space.

The Starting Point

Margaret’s home was warm and inviting, but like many who’ve lived in the same space for decades, she had closets, drawers, and especially a basement full of “someday” items: tools, decor, furniture, paperwork, craft supplies, and keepsakes. She also had many belongings that once belonged to her husband. Items that held memories but were no longer serving her in this next stage of life.

Knowing she wanted to downsize in the future, Margaret decided not to wait until a move was imminent. She wisely chose to begin early, giving herself time to make thoughtful, unhurried decisions.

Before & After – Bedroom Transformation

We started in Margaret’s large primary bedroom, which also had a library area. 

This space had become very cluttered over time. So much so that the bedroom door didn’t even open all the way! 

But look at the difference! Margaret donated all of her husband’s books, and the shelves. Then she sorted through all the other items that had accumulated, including the bins of craft supplies that were behind the door, which now fully opens. 

Here’s another angle of this area, showing that the outside exit door was partially blocked and the pathway to the door was very narrow. 

This was very unsafe, and could have been dangerous in an emergency. 

But Margaret let go of almost everything. The items left in the corner were for one of her sons to pick up the next time he was in town. The door was now completely accessible and her home was much safer. 

Working through this space gave Margaret confidence and motivation to continue to other spaces. 

Tips for Decluttering After Many Years in a Home

Whether you’re preparing for a move or simply want to enjoy your current home more, here are some lessons from Margaret’s journey that can help you too:

1. Start Early

Give yourself as much time as possible. Decluttering a lifetime of possessions is emotional and physically demanding. Starting early means you can go at your own pace, make better decisions, and avoid last-minute stress if a move or health issue arises unexpectedly.

2. Do a Little at a Time

Daily or weekly sessions really add up. Even 15–30 minutes at a time makes a difference. Margaret committed to monthly decluttering sessions with my team and I, but she also decluttered on her own between sessions. Over time, she saw remarkable progress.

3. Begin With the Easy Stuff

Start with items that aren’t sentimental and that you haven’t used in a while. Building momentum with easy decisions made the harder ones feel more manageable later. Margaret’s taste in reading material was very different from her husband’s, so she knew she would be able to easily donate his books. 

Before & After – Basement Transformation 

After building up her “decluttering muscles” in her bedroom, Margaret moved to the basement next. This space was the most overwhelming to her because it was FILLED with 40 years of accumulation. 

Margaret worked her way through tools, seasonal items, boxes with more books, extra furniture, duplicate kitchenware, and items left behind by her adult children. 

Look at the difference!

She kept some tools, a few furniture pieces, and a bit of seasonal decor, but the vast majority of this basement was either donated or taken away by a junk removal company (some items were damaged by water from a leak that went unnoticed due to the volume of stuff in the basement). 

Here is a view from the other side of the basement. 

The boxes were piled up to almost the ceiling. 

Look at all that space now! 

This basement was one of the biggest transformations I’ve had the pleasure to be part of. 

Tips for Decluttering 

Here are some more tips based on Margaret’s journey. 

4. Focus on One Area at a Time

Trying to declutter your whole home at once is overwhelming. Instead, choose one room, zone, or category (e.g., books, linens, tools), and work through it completely before moving on. By focusing on just the basement, Margaret could see progress and stay motivated to continue decluttering. 

5. Ask Yourself Key Questions

Margaret asked herself (or I asked her) these questions often:

• Does this item make me smile, or just take up space?
• When did I last use this?
• Will I need it in my next home?
• Could someone else benefit from this more than me?
• Do I have something else that serves the same purpose?

Before & After – Craft / Writing Room Transformation 

Margaret is a very creative person. She is also a former teacher and puppeteer and she is an author. She finds inspiration in many things, and likes to have those sources of inspiration all around her. But, her craft and writing room had become far from inspiring as the clutter built up. 

Initially Margaret could barely walk in the door because there was so much on the floor. 

But after filing or shredding paperwork, finding homes for her many notebooks, and donating a lot of her craft supplies, Margaret could enter the room easily. 

Here is the rest of the room. 

This room was one of the most challenging for Margaret to declutter, because so many of the items were special to her. But I reminded her of my favourite Peter Walsh quote, “if everything is special, then nothing is special”. This helped Margaret choose the items that were the most inspiring to her, and allowed her to let go of items that were getting in the way of her creativity. 

Margaret is a visual person, so she still has a lot of things on the walls and surfaces, but now those items can foster her creativity, instead of hindering it. 

Tips for Decluttering 

Here are the final tips to help you declutter, based on Margaret’s experience. 

6. Save Sentimental Items for Last

It’s tempting to start with sentimental belongings, but it’s often harder emotionally. Begin with easier decisions, and once you’ve built confidence and made space, you’ll be in a better mindset to tackle items tied to memories. If Margaret had started in her craft / writing room, she would have had a much more difficult time letting go. But by the time she got to this room, she’d been decluttering for almost a year, and knew how much better she felt after letting go and creating space. 

7. Let Go with Gratitude

Margaret found peace in donating items to people and charities she cared about. Knowing someone else could enjoy or use her things made it easier to part with them. In particular, as a former puppeteer and teacher, she was thrilled when I found a local organization that used puppets in programs for children with special needs. 

The organization happily accepted her beloved puppets. And Margaret said goodbye to her puppets with gratitude for the joy they’d brought her over the years, knowing they would continue to bring joy to others. 

8. Get Support

Decluttering is deeply personal, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a professional organizer, having someone by your side helps you stay focused and brings an objective perspective. Margaret couldn’t have physically done all of this decluttering alone, so she reached out to me for help. But I also was able to help her find homes for many things, which made it easier for her to let go. And my team and I supported and encouraged her throughout the whole process. 

Margaret’s Outcome

After a year of decluttering, Margaret had let go of the majority of her belongings, but she kept what mattered most. Her home felt lighter. She felt ready. And when the time comes to move, or if she experiences any health challenges, the next steps will be so much simpler for her. 

These spaces were transformed gradually, one section at a time. It didn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort and support, Margaret achieved a lighter, calmer home and gained clarity and peace of mind for her next steps.

Margaret’s story is proof that, with time, support, and intention, you can declutter, even after decades in the same home, and gain peace of mind for the future.

I love all my clients, and seeing the transformation in their lives is what I love most about being a professional organizer. It was truly an honour to be part of Margaret’s journey from overwhelmed to organized. 

Thinking of downsizing or starting a whole-home declutter?

Let’s chat about how I can support you. Contact me and we’ll create a plan that works for your goals, timeline, and comfort level.