Hi, I’m Melissa

I started decluttering about 10 years ago because my home felt like a storage unit with a bed.

I had an entire room full of stuff I didn’t need and a house that felt chaotic no matter how many storage solutions I bought. Turns out, it wasn’t an organization problem. It was a too much stuff problem. And an ADHD problem.

At the time, I didn’t know I had ADHD and thought I just wasn’t trying hard enough. I tried a lot of decluttering tips that left me in worse shape than I started, like the time I emptied my entire closet onto the bed and then couldn’t face it for three weeks. (Looking at you Marie Kondo.)

Now I live in a small studio apartment with my partner of almost 20 years (hi, B.), our cat Ava Jean, and way less clutter. I created Sort It Out to share the kind of decluttering advice I wish I’d had back then: honest, doable, and built for real life — ADHD quirks, emotions, and all.

On the blog, you’ll find decluttering tips, stories, and printable guides to help you clear the clutter without tossing out your personality.

Headshot of Melissa, creator of Sort It Out
Ava Jean, a solid black cat sitting in her red house

Melissa, your decluttering cheerleader

Ava Jean, because look how cute

Bright, cozy living room with mid-century modern furniture, gray sofa, wooden dining chairs, and shelves filled with books and houseplants. Calm, lived-in space reflecting Sort It Out’s practical and warm decluttering style.

The Sort It Out philosophy

  • Decluttering is usually framed as getting rid of things, but what you’re actually doing is creating something new. You’re uncovering a less stressful life where the things you love and use are easily at hand.
  • Decluttering should work with your brain, not against it. Whether you have ADHD, strong sentimental attachments, or are completely overwhelmed, I have tips to help.
  • You don’t have to go all-in to make meaningful progress. Some days you declutter a whole closet. Some days you just think about how you’d do it. Both count. Progress > perfection.

A little more about me

You can read all about my decluttering journey in this blog post: My Decluttering Journey: What I Learned From Years of Letting Go

Where to go from here?