Start in the morning

The best time to tackle clutter? Early in the day, before you become overloaded with decisions and to-do’s. “The fresh morning air keeps your mind clear and your power of discernment sharp,” says Kondo. Also smart: forgoing TV and music while you tidy. “It is essential to create a quiet space,” she adds. “Noise makes it harder to hear the internal dialogue between the owner and her belongings.”