10 tips for successful decluttering
1. Don’t start what you can’t finish
It’s important to start decluttering when you’re in the right frame of mind to see it through until completion, says Katie. Often, this means enlisting the help of others, such as family, friends, or professionals like Moving On.
Decluttering requires a lot of energy. You’ll need to make many decisions, some small and large, so going into the process with a support team can make all the difference.
“Do it properly. You never put your clothes in the washing machine, put it on, and then leave them there for two days. So what you start, finish,”..
2. Tackle photographs and paperwork first
Katie suggests starting with the most important things: paperwork, photographs, and other essential documents. She advises storing these in plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes to minimise the risk of damage.
She also has some tips for the ongoing management of paperwork, as this is often the first type of clutter to quickly build up again.
Create a designated area for mail, for example a basket near your front door.
Set aside a time to sort through your mail every week – and stick to it! Do the same for your email inbox, as digital paperwork can take up a lot of mental space.
Recycle catalogues, magazines, and newspapers quickly. If you like a particular page or article, cut it out instead of keeping the whole booklet.
3. Fix a time
Set aside a specific time to declutter and give others at least a few weeks’ notice. As you’ll likely need plenty of help, inspire those involved to make a fun day out of it. Let them know you’ll provide food and good company. Be specific about when you need them to arrive and how long you think it will take.
“You need to say, listen, when are you available? These are the times we are going to work on the house. We’re going to do it on Saturday three weeks away, let’s start at 10 am, I’ll make a bacon and egg pie,”.
“The more convivial you can make it, the better. You need to get everyone inspired.”
4. Keep only what you use often
The aim of decluttering is to keep only what you use often. If you haven’t used something in the past year, Katie suggests asking yourself these questions:
Do you still need it?
Will you use it again?
Is it worth the space it’s taking up?
5. Stop storing other people’s stuff
“Any clutter you live with should not belong to others,” says Katie.
If you’re still storing other people’s stuff, it’s time to give it back to its rightful owners. It’s no longer your responsibility to hold on to family member’s belongings. Let them know you’re decluttering and give them a reasonable timeframe to collect their things.
6. Share the love
Once you have decided which items you’d like to let go of, look for places or people who might appreciate them.
“There’s so many things you can do with your belongings that can help someone else. I say to people all the time: share the love,” says Katie.
“People are generous. Most people have big hearts and want to share the love. If they’re not going to use it, they’d rather someone else used it. It’s a win-win.”
7. Use your crystal and china
If you have precious family heirlooms sitting in the back of a cupboard gathering dust, Katie believes now is the time to bring these out and enjoy them.
“All of these items were made to be loved,” she says.
If you don’t wish to use them, and your family don’t want them, then it’s better to sell them and buy something you will love to use. That way, another family can enjoy these precious items.
“The beautiful glasses, the china, the silver – use it. That’s my best advice I can give you,” says Katie.
8. Streamline your wardrobe
Katie once worked with a client who had over 50 pairs of black pants. It’s natural to accumulate multiple items of the same clothing over time (Katie says her weakness is white sneakers!). Decluttering is the perfect opportunity to streamline your wardrobe.
“If you haven’t worn it for two years, do you really want it? Maybe you should consider living without it,” advises Katie.
She has two suggestions for managing your wardrobe on an ongoing basis:
Don’t bring anything in unless you take something out.
Every time you wear something, turn the hanger the opposite way. Then in a month or two, assess the hangers to get an idea of what items you’ve actually put on.
9. Tackle your kitchen drawers
The kitchen is another place where clutter can build up quickly. It’s common for people to have four or five of the same thing, for example ladles, wooden spoons, peelers, can openers, and the like.
Katie suggests getting a little box and placing it on your bench. Every time you use something out of your utensil draw, pop it in that box. You’ll likely see that you reach for the same utensils over and over again, while others rarely see the light of day.
She advises keeping your favourites and giving away the rest. In the future, you can always borrow utensils you rarely use from a neighbour.
10. Fully commit to a decluttering routine
After your initial decluttering efforts – for example, to downsize and move into a smaller home or village – it’s important to try to commit to an ongoing decluttering routine. This will help to keep clutter to a minimum over the long term and avoid it building up again.
Katie has some great tips for managing clutter on an ongoing basis:
======================================================
Make sure everything has a designated home.
Start to put things away as you go.
Set aside time to sort through clutter every week.
It might take a few weeks to get into a regular routine, but it’s worth the effort. Living in a clutter-free, clean environment is great for your mood and makes life that much easier.
===============================================
Katie Fitzpatrick---Professional de-clutterer and moving specialist
==============================================
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
-
51.9% Human-centred experience and communication
-
15.3% Critical thinking
-
29.9% Resilience and adaptability
-
2.9% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
Loading…
