Holiday decluttering: how to save the memories

SALT LAKE CITY – Holiday decluttering tends to start off with the purpose of getting rid of stuff to clean your home. But there’s actually a deeper meaning to it.

In the latest Let’s Get Moving with Maria podcast episode, Maria Shilaos spoke with Matt Paxton, Decluttering Expert and Host of the Emmy-nominated television series Legacy List with Matt Paxton, to learn how decluttering can be a way to rediscover and cherish some fond memories.

 

A lot of people like to declutter during the holidays because that’s when relatives come to visit. Paxton actually considers it the ideal time for that same reason.

The first tip he has is to be very clear on what you want to get cleaned up. Ask yourself, “What is my goal?” Some people will only want to tidy their living room. Others will want to declutter their whole house. Decide where you want your finish line to be, and set a manageable time to get there.

“If you don’t know what you’re accomplishing, there’s no way to accomplish it,” Paxton said.

The more you have, the more difficult and time-consuming your decluttering experience will be. But why do we even have so much stuff in the first place? Paxton says it’s simple: We collect because of the people we love.

“It’s not really about the stuff. It’s about the memories of the people that are attached to that stuff,” he said.

Paxton says holiday decluttering can be a hassle, but it can also be fun. Just let it be an opportunity to share the stories behind your favorite items.

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