Remember the movie Groundhog Day, the one where weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) wakes up day after day in a time loop? It was one of the top films of the 1990s and is now considered a classic. It’s also kind of how I feel every year when January hits and I review what changes I wanted to make in my life. If you’re anything like me, you may have petered out sometime mid-year, and are now scratching your head about what happened.
Hopefully, some incremental progress was made. This time last year, I was reporting on my family’s quest to declutter, and I have to report that steps were indeed taken. Small steps, but that’s better than no steps at all, right?
My youngest headed to his first year of college in August. Lo and behold, before he left, he culled his book collection: all those Percy Jacksons and Harry Potter novels were given away. He even went through his wardrobe and got rid of clothes that he’d outgrown or no longer liked. If a 19-year-old could do that, so could I!
After his departure, my wife and I put our heads together and made a list. I’m happy to report that the kitchen cabinets are looking neater and emptier. So are the shelves under the bathroom sink. And tomorrow, I’m tackling the wilderness that’s my garage, with the help of an experienced friend (my Move Maker buddy, Zachary.)
It’s a good thing I write this blog and have information to fall back upon. You may remember I interviewed Jill Viglione of Embrace Your Space back in July 2025, and have kept her recommendations in mind. So, here’s a refresher course, keeping Jill’s ideas in the forefront:
Step 1: Set Your Intentions
- Begin by defining the purpose of each space: What do I want this room to do for me?
- Keep Jill’s guiding question in mind: “Will this item help achieve the goal for this space?”
- If a move is coming, add her reminder that space is money, and factor in your downsizing percentage from the start.
- Write down intentions not just for rooms, but for how you want to feel: calm, prepared, joyful, unburdened.
Step 2: Start Small for Big Results
- Jill reminded us that decluttering is a process: starting small keeps it manageable.
- Choose one contained space (a drawer, bedside table, or entryway) and apply focused attention.
- If you’re planning a move, think in terms of zones per week, building toward larger areas over time.
- Quick wins help reduce overwhelm, the feeling Jill sees in nearly all her clients.
Step 3: Adopt the Four-Box Method
- Use the Four-Box Method to speed up decision-making: (Keep, Donate, Recycle, Trash)
- When something is hard to release, bring in Jill’s advice:
- Pass it on to someone who will love it.
- Take a photo to preserve the memory.
- Honor heirlooms (like china) with a meaningful moment before donating.
- The faster decisions are made, the faster—and lighter—the process feels.
Step 4: Reorganize with Purpose
- Organize around how you actually live:
- Store frequently used items within easy reach.
- Consider details like right- vs. left-handed use or where items are naturally grabbed.
- Hold off on buying containers until you know what you’re keeping, one of Jill’s most common cautions.
Step 5: Establish New Habits
- Combine your habit ideas with Jill’s long-term strategy:
- One in, one out
- Daily 5–10 minute resets
- Quarterly check-ins, just like Jill’s reset visits
- These habits reinforce organizing as a lifestyle, not a one-time project.
Step 6: Celebrate Your Progress and Embrace Your Space
- Remember Jill’s philosophy that happiness comes from clients embracing their space and the things they love.
- Celebrate small wins. (My favorite is to have a cup of tea, a square of chocolate, and put up my feet with a good book.)
- Notice how your space feels: lighter, clearer, more welcoming. That emotional shift is the real reward.
You can bet that, before the big Garage-O-Rama, I’ll be setting my intentions, taking a before-and-after photo, and celebrating with a lunch out. I can’t wait to be able to walk from my car without bumping into boxes or tripping over paint cans!
Call to Action: If you’re thinking of moving in the next year, it’s never too early to set plans in motion. Contact The Move Makers at (503) 744-0826 or fill out the contact form on our website: The Move Makers – Lake Oswego, Oregon