HOW TO DO A YEAR LONG THOROUGH DECLUTTER

by Delynda Middleton | Mar 18, 2020 | Organizing | 97 comments

If you are like me, you’ve been overwhelmed with clutter at times. Maybe you have had several life changes that have contributed to all of that clutter. Maybe you’ve moved, gotten married, had a child, experienced a job change, come down with a chronic illness, or maybe even taken on the care of someone in your extended family.

Whatever the cause for clutter, you’ve become exhausted trying. Even thinking about it seems overwhelming because it seems like an insurmountable task. Well, I have good news for you!

You are not alone. You can do this. In fact, the best way to ensure a lasting change is to take on a new habit slowly and daily. The habit we are going to form is what I call a year long thorough declutter. Let’s explore how to do a year long thorough declutter. Each task will encourage you to maintain a declutter mindset.

Yes, you can declutter certain spaces in a day, but most of us can’t stop our daily responsibilities to do so if it involves a large amount of decluttering. I’m afraid that is impracticable for most of us and mostly just for TV personalities. So, let’s get started on how to do a year long thorough declutter.

Join me as we begin our Year Long Thorough Declutter Series! 2022 Update: Follow and subscribe to my youtube video series here or in the video below as we purge your entire home.

How to do a year long thorough declutter:

I am proposing that we take on a specific task daily… actually almost daily. I am suggesting starting to declutter in only 30 minutes a day for five days a week. That’s right. We are doing the decluttering challenge on the weekdays and taking the weekends off to relax and enjoy our families and special relationships.

I have carefully laid out specific tasks for you to begin the slow and thorough year long declutter. I have created a few checklists for you. We are going to go through your entire home, attic, and garage, decluttering slowly and thoroughly as we go. We will take this slowly and swallow this task in bite-sized pieces, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Can you do it? I think you can. Plus, I’m going to go with you by sending encouraging emails along the way to help you to stay motivated. We will tackle everything from the kitchen cabinets to the junk drawer and work at creating a more organized space.

We will take a daily approach and move step by step through the process of learning How to Fix a Cluttered Room by starting a slow whole house Clutter Cleanup Process decluttering only what is on your daily task list. Also, You can get your printable Digital Cleaning Checklist and Deep Cleaning Schedule for your home Cleanout here. This 15 page printable kit is delivered digitally to your email for you to print and personalize.

HOW TO DO A YEAR LONG THOROUGH DECLUTTER

Did you know there are some specific causes for clutter? I have identified 5 “deadly sins that cause clutter.” You can read more about that here. Also, read on for more decluttering tips to get rid of all that unwanted clutter.

Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Professional Declutterer Printable Checklist, Declutter Calendar, and each declutter room by room checklist here. The printable Digital Easy Declutter Your Home Checklist is a download and is delivered to your email.

It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and Ultimate Decluttering Checklists to help you learn How to Fix a Cluttered Room and start the Decluttering Method I use to begin a Clutter Cleanup when I’m struggling with How to start Cleaning up a Cluttered House. You can grab that here.

Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores and wondering: What Housework Should Be Done Daily? Grab my free ebook to walk you through the process. What Does a Deep Clean Include? One of my best Deep Cleaning Home Tips is to use a House Cleaning Planner. Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price. Better yet… get it FREE when you subscribe to my site. Also, you can find my room by room Declutter Guide at the end of this post designed to help you learn tips and Decluttering Ideas For Your Home.

Maybe your house is clean but cluttered. If so, you need to know a few Declutter Tips and Ideas before you start using the Step By Step Decluttering plan I use. Does a Cluttered House Cause Stress? You Bet! Let’s look at a reputable, mental health site to answer that question and see exactly How Clutter Affects You. Then you can learn Why and How To Start to Purge Your Entire Home.They have given us 8 ways mess leads to stress and exactly How Clutter Affects You. According to Psychology Today:

How Clutter Affects You: Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Can a Messy House Affect Your Mood? You bet! How Does Clutter Affect Your Life? Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives. (source) But, unnecessary stress is one aspect of How Clutter Affects You. A clutter free home can restore peace.

How Clutter Affects You Mentally can help provide the motivation you need to know How to Clear Clutter and Get Organized. Why does mess lead to so much stress? (source)Getting rid of all of that stress can be one of the best declutter motivation tips you need for some instant Declutter Inspiration.

Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren’t necessary or important. (source)
Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on. (source)
Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.(source)
Clutter constantly signals to our brains that our work is never done.(source)
Clutter makes us anxious because we’re never sure what it’s going to take to get through to the bottom of the pile. (source)
Clutter creates feelings of guilt (“I should be more organized”) and embarrassment, especially when others unexpectedly drop by our homes or work spaces. (source)
Clutter inhibits creativity and productivity by invading the open spaces that allow most people to think, brainstorm, and problem solve.(source)
Clutter frustrates us by preventing us from locating what we need quickly (e.g. files and paperwork lost in the “pile” or keys swallowed up by the clutter). (source) So, experiencing constant frustration is another aspect to How Clutter Affects You. It could be something as simple as piles of dirty laundry or even an overflowing craft room.

Overwhelmed by a Messy House? It can really affect you negatively. How Do You Deal With a Cluttered Mess? One way is to have a plan, set aside a specific time, and learn the steps to declutter your home. It will take a few weeks, but soon you will develop new habits in your decluttering process.

What Cleaning Should Be Done Daily? I have a room by room specific Printable House Cleaning Checklist linked above. Also, you can find my room by room Declutter Guide at the end of this post.

For a clean, simplistic look, one of the best Deep Cleaning Home Tips is to declutter a room before cleaning and then use an Easy House Cleaning Schedule to maintain it. Declutter Checklists can help you learn How to begin to Purge Your Entire Home.

How Does Clutter Affect Your Life? As you can already see, there are at least 8 ways we become negatively affected by clutter. Also, I though it might be thought provoking to look at some statistics on clutter to learn more about How Clutter Affects You.

US consumers buy 40% of the world’s toys, but bear only 3% of the world’s children.
Most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. (source )
9.4% of U.S. households rent a storage unit. (source)
People do not look at 80% of the papers and information they keep.(source)
The average American house is double the size it was in the 1950s–and getting bigger. (source.)Storage spaces are not the problem. The real issue is the accumulation of too much stuff.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that one-quarter of people with two-car garages have so much stuff in there that they can’t park a car. (https://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-statistics-of-clutter/)
According to the National Soap and Detergent Association, getting rid of clutter would eliminate 40 percent of housework in the average home.(https://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-statistics-of-clutter/) Wouldn’t eliminating a lot of housework provide some declutter inspiration? Read on for more Decluttering Ideas For Your Home.

Today, we’ll lay out the solutions for the steps to declutter using my tips on Why and How to Declutter a House. Plus, we’ll look at a few ways to answer the concern of How Clutter Affects You and what you can do about it.

You are going to make great progress that will be lasting and even life changing. You may even decide to reward yourself by painting or redecorating your lovely, organized new space. You will also reap the rewards of a clean, organized space.

What are those rewards? First, decluttering provides a sense of peace and tranquility as you transform your home into a space you love and want to be in. Also, you’ll find that you actually begin to love and appreciate the items you decide to keep. You will begin taking better care of those items, ensuring they last.

Mentally, you’ll not only experience more peace in a decluttered environment, you’ll gain a sense of focus and purpose for each space in your home. By putting items in their proper location within your home, you’ll save time getting ready each day and make your daily routines more streamlined. If you have other people living with you, they will appreciate your efforts and may even be motivated to help you in the process.

Are you on board with me? If so, subscribe to my blog by leaving a comment below. Be sure to confirm your subscription in the email you receive that invites you to opt in. I’ll then begin sending checklists, encouragement, and motivation your way. Let’s make this the year you finally get organized.

Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.

Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.

Need to Declutter Every room like a professional organizer? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to help you get rid of all the clutter.

How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.

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How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.

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How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.

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How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.

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Happy Decluttering!

To Subscribe to this Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.

New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:

Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.

Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.

Step 3: How do you remove clutter?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.

Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered.

Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.

Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com:

14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered

How to Do A 1 Day Declutter

How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule

How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter

What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?

Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.

For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.

I hope you have benefitted from my post on Where to Start When You Declutter (tasks you can do in 30 minutes). Leave a comment below to subscribe to my daily declutter task email series.

97 Comments

Lori on June 16, 2020 at 5:48 am

I’m interested
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- Delynda Middleton on June 16, 2020 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up 🙂
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  - Ana on July 5, 2020 at 8:16 am
    
    Great advice. Thank you, looking forward to more.
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    - Delynda Middleton on July 6, 2020 at 4:18 pm
      
      Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up:)
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      - Keshia George on April 20, 2021 at 10:29 pm
        
        On GOD I need this
      - Delynda Middleton on April 21, 2021 at 2:38 pm
        
        I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
    - Dianne on March 31, 2021 at 5:57 am
      
      Hope I’m not too late to sign up for the declutter series. Love the blog.
      Reply
      - Delynda Middleton on April 1, 2021 at 6:26 pm
        
        I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
  - Alawia on October 26, 2020 at 11:01 pm
    
    Hi I found it very help i am interested
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    - Delynda Middleton on October 27, 2020 at 4:49 pm
      
      I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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  - Wanda on April 3, 2021 at 9:44 pm
    
    I am very intetested.
    Thank you.
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    - Delynda Middleton on April 4, 2021 at 3:10 pm
      
      I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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    - Pam Crandall on December 17, 2021 at 2:25 am
      
      I am moving and really need this
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      - Delynda Middleton on December 17, 2021 at 2:45 pm
        
        I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
- Kelly on July 4, 2020 at 12:20 am
  
  I am interested in your decluttering series.
  Reply
  - Delynda Middleton on July 6, 2020 at 4:27 pm
    
    Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up:)
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    - Cynthia on January 9, 2021 at 9:03 pm
      
      Need Help!!!
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      - Delynda Middleton on January 11, 2021 at 3:10 am
        
        I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
- carol on August 1, 2020 at 3:31 pm
  
  I am interested
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  - Delynda Middleton on August 4, 2020 at 3:25 am
    
    Thanks for stopping by the blog 🙂
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  - Annick deseure on August 25, 2020 at 6:21 am
    
    I am interested
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    - Delynda Middleton on August 25, 2020 at 11:09 pm
      
      I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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- Evelyn on August 7, 2020 at 2:38 pm
  
  I’m in for the decanter in 1 yr or less.
  Reply
  - Evelyn on August 7, 2020 at 2:49 pm
    
    The declutter series is what I’m interested in, please add me to your blog. Thank you for this service.
    Reply
    - Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm
      
      I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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  - Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm
    
    I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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- Joy Clever on August 26, 2020 at 2:17 am
  
  I am interested.
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- Heather on August 28, 2020 at 11:34 pm
  
  I am interested in the declutter series!!
  Reply
- Sandy on September 26, 2020 at 7:55 pm
  
  I’m want to know more
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  - Delynda Middleton on September 28, 2020 at 4:43 pm
    
    I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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- Melinda on December 25, 2020 at 10:05 pm
  
  I’m interested
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  - Delynda Middleton on December 28, 2020 at 6:09 pm
    
    I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog
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- Jenna on January 19, 2021 at 10:56 pm
  
  Interested !
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  - Delynda Middleton on January 20, 2021 at 10:04 pm
    
    I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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- Candy on March 15, 2021 at 1:17 am
  
  I am so ready to declutter
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  - Delynda Middleton on March 15, 2021 at 12:51 pm
    
    I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Anne on June 26, 2020 at 9:24 am

Would love to subscribe to your Declutter Series
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- Delynda Middleton on June 29, 2020 at 9:55 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up 🙂
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Terry on June 30, 2020 at 11:34 am

Okay I’m in! 😊
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- Delynda Middleton on June 30, 2020 at 7:29 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up 🙂
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Diane on July 5, 2020 at 10:11 pm

Just moved – ready to get rid of all these plastic boxes and only live with what I love and need! Sign me up!
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- Delynda Middleton on July 6, 2020 at 4:16 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up:)
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Melissa on July 9, 2020 at 12:33 pm

How do I sign up for your blog ?
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- Delynda Middleton on July 9, 2020 at 3:55 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up:)
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- Melissa on August 9, 2020 at 3:29 am
  
  Would love to subscribe. Third baby on the way…I need to decluter
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  - Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm
    
    I just signed you up. Congrats on your upcoming baby! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
    Reply
Dorit on July 17, 2020 at 8:21 am

Great ideas and advice for de clutter.
Would love to subscribe! Thank you!
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- Delynda Middleton on July 20, 2020 at 3:07 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by the blog! I’ve signed you up:)
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Evelyn on August 7, 2020 at 2:51 pm

I’m in for the decanter in 1 yr or less.
Reply
- Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
  Reply
  - Donna Violet on August 21, 2020 at 10:19 pm
    
    I definitely need to declutter! Sign me up!
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    - Delynda Middleton on August 24, 2020 at 2:21 pm
      
      I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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    - Martina on September 6, 2020 at 2:34 pm
      
      Many thanks for this post. I would appreciate your help with decluttering.
      Reply
      - Delynda Middleton on September 8, 2020 at 2:51 pm
        
        I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Jayne on August 9, 2020 at 8:47 pm

Sounds great! Please sign me up.
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- Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:40 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Tammy on August 10, 2020 at 12:55 pm

Subscribe me please
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- Delynda Middleton on August 12, 2020 at 3:40 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Ann on August 12, 2020 at 10:00 pm

I am interested in signing up to your year long declutter program. Please can you sign me up! I’d at least like to give it a try! Thank you.
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- Delynda Middleton on August 13, 2020 at 2:44 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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MaryJo on August 15, 2020 at 3:21 pm

I’m ready
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- Delynda Middleton on August 17, 2020 at 12:56 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Morgan on August 16, 2020 at 3:29 pm

I am interested. Please sign me up 🙂
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- Delynda Middleton on August 17, 2020 at 12:56 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Jennifer on August 26, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Sign me up, please!
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- Delynda Middleton on August 26, 2020 at 4:30 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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  - Delynda Middleton on August 26, 2020 at 4:30 pm
    
    I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Paula on August 28, 2020 at 4:23 am

I need the year long declutter!
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- Delynda Middleton on August 28, 2020 at 2:28 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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  - Michele on September 6, 2020 at 12:13 pm
    
    Interested
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    - Delynda Middleton on September 8, 2020 at 2:51 pm
      
      I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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      - Stacey Frattarole on December 29, 2020 at 8:35 pm
        
        I’m interested in some information.
      - Delynda Middleton on December 30, 2020 at 9:31 pm
        
        I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Heather on August 28, 2020 at 11:36 pm

Please sign me up 😁
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- Delynda Middleton on August 31, 2020 at 6:51 pm
  
  I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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  - Royal on September 16, 2020 at 5:13 am
    
    royal.lewis3@gmail.com Please sign me up for DECLUTTER series
    Reply
    - Delynda Middleton on September 16, 2020 at 4:34 pm
      
      I just signed you up. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
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Alexis Harrington on December 26, 2020 at 8:24 am

I’m ready!
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- Delynda Middleton on December 28, 2020 at 6:08 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog
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Roseann Santangelo on January 30, 2021 at 10:54 pm

I am interested.
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- Delynda Middleton on February 1, 2021 at 2:03 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Kay Costa on February 5, 2021 at 4:07 pm

I need help. I am 83 and we have no children to help. I have so much stuff and need to downsize so we can move to a smaller place.
Reply
- Delynda Middleton on February 8, 2021 at 2:58 pm
  
  Yes, ma’am. I added you to the email list. You are inspiring! Wish I lived near enough to help you. Are you involved in a local church? If so, I’d encourage you to make this need known. Our local church does Serve Days, where we go into the community and lend a hand to meet a need. Our church doesn’t just serve church members, but also people in our area who need it. If you aren’t involved in a local church, I recommend picking up the phone and calling a few churches in your area. I have found that making a need known is the first step. Blessings to you 🙂
  Reply
Maribeth on February 16, 2021 at 11:12 pm

Please sign me up for the declutter series! Thx!
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- Delynda Middleton on February 17, 2021 at 4:02 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Kay on April 4, 2021 at 12:00 am

Interested
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- Delynda Middleton on April 4, 2021 at 3:09 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Mel on April 5, 2021 at 6:38 pm

I could really use your help! I don’t know where or how to get started. Thank you!
Reply
- Delynda Middleton on April 6, 2021 at 6:26 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Cleta on April 13, 2021 at 11:57 am

Please sign me up
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- Delynda Middleton on April 13, 2021 at 3:33 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Coni Grebel on January 1, 2022 at 5:24 am

Please subscribe me!
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- Delynda Middleton on January 2, 2022 at 2:53 am
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Barb on January 3, 2022 at 5:04 pm

How do I sign up for the blog?
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- Delynda Middleton on January 4, 2022 at 2:40 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
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Shanelle Berrueta on January 10, 2022 at 4:37 pm

This sounds really helpful! I’m struggling keeping the clutter under control.
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- Delynda Middleton on January 11, 2022 at 1:51 pm
  
  I just signed you up! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Watch your inbox for the free ebook coupon code.
  Reply