At the November dinner meeting of the Professional & Business Women of Polonia (PBW) held at The Columns, members and guests welcomed former physician and now certified professional life coach, Dr. Michelle Walter, CPC. Dr. Walter presented "Declutter With Purpose: Practical Strategies for an Organized Life", a four-pillar framework designed to help individuals reduce physical, emotional and digital clutter while living with greater intention. The framework is rooted in addressing the widespread impact of clutter – 80% of items we own are unused, 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter, and clutter is linked to stress, sleep issues and reduced well-being.
The evening opened with a dinner prayer delivered by Sr. Rose Szymanski – a quiet moment of gratitude that set the tone for reflection and purpose. This carried naturally into Dr. Walter's presentation, reinforcing the idea of choosing what truly matters in both our surroundings and our daily lives.
Dr. Walter began by dispelling the idea that clutter is merely a physical problem. More often, she explained, clutter represents postponed decisions, emotional ties or unnoticed habits.
Declutter with purpose says Dr. Michelle Walter, CPC
“Every item in your home either serves you or drains you,” she noted. Decluttering, she emphasized, is ultimately about aligning one's environment with one's personal values and goals – not to create a picture-perfect home, but to create a life filled with ease, clarity, and meaning.
The first pillar outlined by Dr. Walter centers on identifying a personal “Why.” Many attempts at getting organized fall short because individuals pursue broad, generic goals without understanding how clutter genuinely affects their well-being. To help understand, she encouraged everyone to reflect on questions such as: What is clutter costing me? What would change if I took action? What happens if I don’t?
The second pillar, “Function,” focuses on defining the true purpose of a space. Clutter often accumulates when rooms attempt to serve too many roles. Dr. Walter shared the example of a client whose “retreat room” had slowly become overrun with office supplies, gym equipment, and old artwork. Once the room’s purpose was clarified – as both an office and a personal retreat – unnecessary items were cleared away and the space regained its intended use.
The third pillar, “Systems,” highlights practical, sustainable strategies that make organization easier. Dr. Walter introduced simple tools such as the reverse hanger trick for identifying unworn clothing and the one-item-per-week donation habit, which can help remove 52 unneeded items a year from a home.
The final pillar, “Maintenance,” focuses on habits, reflection, and self-compassion. Progress, she reminded us, is built through small, consistent actions rather than perfection. Adjusting systems as life changes and celebrating small wins are essential to sustaining long-term organization.
During the audience Q&A session, Dr. Walter addressed topics ranging from emotional attachment to heirlooms to shifting generational attitudes toward belongings. She also stressed the importance of patience when helping others declutter, reminding us that meaningful change must begin with their motivation, not someone else's expectations.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: PBW’s upcoming dinner meetings will be held on: Jan. 21, 2026 at Potts and March 19, 2026 at the Polish Falcons. For more information, or to become a PBW member, please visit pbwofpolonia.com.
