How to Reset Your Life in 6 Months: Simplify, Declutter, and Reclaim Your Peace

If you’re anything like I was a couple of years ago—tripping over clutter, struggling to find things, drowning in piles of laundry—then it might be time for a change. Life can get overwhelming quickly, especially when you’re juggling motherhood, business, and all the other little things that pile up.

For me, that frustration led to a powerful decision: I was done with the clutter. So, I dove headfirst into the world of minimalism, and within just six months, my home—and my mindset—were completely transformed. The process wasn’t about perfection, but about making my space and my life feel calmer and more manageable. And yes, there are still messes with a small child around, but it’s nothing like it used to be.

If you’re ready to reset your life and declutter both your home and mind, you can absolutely do it in just six months. With these six simple, actionable steps, you’ll begin to experience a huge shift. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.

Step One: Shift Your Mindset

Before you even touch a single item, you need to get your mindset right. Trust me, I’ve been there—I know how tempting it is to jump straight into decluttering without really thinking about why you’re doing it. But the truth is, your mindset is the key to staying motivated and making long-term changes.

Here are three things that will help you start:

1. Define Your “Why”
   Why are you doing this? Is it to free up time? To feel more peaceful? To be less overwhelmed by stuff? Understanding your "why" is a powerful tool to keep you going when the going gets tough.

   For me, my "why" was clear: I wanted more time and energy. I wanted to be more present with my daughter, more calm in my day-to-day life, and less stressed by all the stuff I had to manage. Once I defined this, the process became less of a chore and more of a rewarding journey.

2. Visualize Your Ideal Home
   When you think about your home, picture it as more than just a collection of rooms or furniture. It’s not just about how everything looks—it’s about how your space makes you feel. Creating an environment that supports your mental and emotional well-being is key. Your home should be a sanctuary, a place where you can unwind, recharge, and feel at peace. Imagine walking into a space that feels open, calm, and welcoming—where everything has its place, and the clutter doesn't overwhelm you. This feeling of serenity is what will help you thrive. It's about designing a space that aligns with your values and lifestyle, not just following trends or filling every corner with "stuff." By focusing on how your home feels rather than just how it looks, you'll begin to notice how much more at ease and inspired you feel every day.

3. Decide on a Routine
   Don’t stress if you don’t have hours to declutter each day. Start small. Set aside just 10 or 15 minutes a day to tackle one small area. Over time, those 10 minutes add up, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish.

Step Two: Start with the Easy Stuff

Don’t try to tackle the toughest areas first—that’s a surefire way to get discouraged. Instead, begin with the low-hanging fruit. Start by decluttering the spaces you see every day, like countertops, tables, and floors.

For me, I began with visible clutter. It felt so good to clear off the dining table, put away items that had been piling up, and just tidy up the surfaces that greeted me daily.

Marie Kondo’s famous advice about leaving sentimental items for last is spot on. Those are the things that will make you hesitate, so don’t get stuck there early on. Instead, focus on less emotional tasks like clearing out expired food or going through the junk drawer.

Pro Tip: I also recommend adopting the “one-in, one-out” rule when buying new items. If you bring something new into your home, make sure to declutter something in return. This is key to maintaining the progress you’ve made.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a great way to stay organized, I’ve found an excellent under kitchen sink storage solution on Amazon that could make this step even easier! Organizer & Storage Solution

Step Three: Declutter by Category

Rather than tackling your entire house room by room, try decluttering by category. This method, popularized by the KonMari method, is perfect for gathering similar items and deciding which ones truly belong in your life.

For example, start with your wardrobe—not just the clothes in your closet, but everything. Look through your drawers, under your bed, and even in the laundry basket. Then move on to other categories, like books, papers, or electronics.

You don’t have to do everything in one go. Pick a category, set a timer for 15 minutes, and go through as much as you can. You’ll be amazed at how much you can declutter in a short amount of time.

Step Four: Declutter by Room

Once you’ve tackled the easy categories, it’s time to go room by room. This can be done in small, manageable chunks. Don’t try to do everything in one day, or you’ll burn out.

For example, take your kitchen. Pick one area to work on, like the under-sink cupboard or a kitchen drawer. Spend 10–15 minutes organizing it, then move on to the next area when you’re ready.

If you need help with ideas, I’ve created a Free Decluttering Checklist that breaks down every room and offers tons of suggestions on where to start. You can grab it below—it’s been downloaded by over 30,000 people, and I think you’ll find it super helpful!

Pro Tip: Check out some of my favorite kitchen organizers and storage bins on Amazon. They make a huge difference in creating an organized kitchen! Kitchen Organization

Step Five: Handle Sentimental Items

This is the hardest step, and I completely understand that. Sentimental items can be so emotionally charged, and it’s tough to part with things that hold special memories.

The key here is to be selective. Keep only the items that truly bring you joy and that you know you’ll appreciate years down the road. For me, I’ve started using memory boxes to store items that are special but don’t need to be out on display all the time.

You can also digitize items you want to keep but don’t have the space for. Take a photo of them, and store the memory without cluttering up your space.

Pro Tip: I also recommend limiting the amount of space you allow yourself for sentimental items. Consider using storage bins and only keeping what fits. This keeps things manageable without getting overwhelmed.

Step Six: Simplify Your Life

Decluttering isn’t just about your physical space—it’s about your whole life. Simplifying your daily routine and creating systems will make it easier to keep your home organized long-term.

1. In-System and Out-System
   Create a system for incoming and outgoing items. For example, when my daughter bring home artwork or toys, I make sure there’s a designated spot for them. When something new comes in, something old goes out.

2. Shopping Habits
   Take a closer look at your shopping habits. Instead of buying on impulse, put items on a wish list. After a few weeks, if you still want them, then consider purchasing. This small shift has saved me from countless impulse buys.

3. Give Things a Home
   This one is a game-changer. Everything should have a designated spot. Whether it’s your shoes, umbrellas, or kids’ coats, making sure everything has a home will prevent things from piling up.

Pro Tip: Check out some of my favorite home organization products on Amazon. Amazon Organization

Final Thoughts

Resetting your life in six months is absolutely achievable. By following these steps—starting with your mindset, decluttering strategically, and simplifying your life—you’ll create a space and routine that supports the life you want to live.

Decluttering is a journey, not a destination. And I promise, the peace and clarity you’ll gain from this process is more than worth the effort.

You can find all of my favorite Organization Goodies, here!

I’d love to hear about your decluttering journey. What’s one area of your home that you’re tackling first? Drop a comment below and let’s support each other on this journey!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my links. I only recommend products I truly love and believe will bring value to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!