Organizing For Joy, Not Perfection: Why Editing Beats Decluttering with Whitney English
In this episode, I talk with Whitney English—author, designer, and (as I like to call her) my organizational better half. Her new book, Organize First, Decorate Second, isn't your typical organizing manual. It’s thoughtful, deeply personal, and grounded in real life—something I immediately connected with.
We explore the idea that our homes are not just reflections of who we are, but tools that help shape us. Whitney shares why she prefers the word edit over declutter, how tension (not balance) is her guiding principle, and why you should think twice before buying drawer dividers. We also get into how new urbanism and walkable cities inspired her approach to home design, why she gave up on making her bed, and how organization can actually free up space for beauty and joy—not get in the way of it.
If you’ve ever struggled with keeping things tidy, if you love your stuff but want it to serve you better, or if you just want permission to let go of what’s not working, this conversation will feel like a deep breath.
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In this episode, I spoke with Whitney English, designer, author, and someone I immediately clicked with on the topic of what home really means. Her book Organize First, Decorate Second explores how to make home work before making it pretty, and why that order matters. We covered a lot of ground: systems, daily routines, motherhood, beauty, and what to do with the stuff we keep dragging around from room to room.
“Edit” Means More Than “Declutter”
Whitney prefers the word edit over declutter, and I agree—it’s a more thoughtful approach. Editing isn’t about getting rid of things for the sake of it. It’s about making choices based on what matters to you now, in this stage of life. She tells a story about her mom leaving little notes around her apartment that just said "EDIT," and how that word has stayed with her ever since.
It’s not about being ruthless or following a system someone else wrote. It’s about deciding what still fits—both practically and personally.
Tension Is More Useful Than Balance
Instead of aiming for balance, Whitney says she’s learning to live with tension—the kind that exists between beauty and function, order and mess, planning and improvising. It’s not a problem to solve, it’s just part of how life works.
This perspective gives some breathing room when a space isn’t quite “done” or when systems break down. Nothing is ever really finished, and that’s normal.
Organizing Should Support How You Actually Live
Whitney is open about not being naturally organized, which makes her approach easy to relate to. She’s tried all the tricks—bins, routines, productivity hacks—but none of it stuck until she started observing how she and her family actually live.
She talks about attaching habits to natural routines, like what you do after you use the bathroom in the morning. It’s basic, but it works. Start there, build slowly, and create systems that fit you, not the other way around.
If You're Working Around It, Maybe It Needs to Go
Whitney pointed out that if you’re always trying to work around a certain piece of furniture or a part of your home that just doesn’t function well, that might be the thing that needs to change.
Often, we hold onto items because they were expensive or have sentimental value, even when they no longer serve us. Her advice: if you’ve been making endless adjustments to accommodate one item, consider whether the item itself is the problem.
New Urbanism, Applied at Home
One of the more unexpected topics we covered was how city planning concepts—specifically, New Urbanism—inspired Whitney’s thinking about home. She talked about how places that are useful, interesting, and safe are the ones we’re drawn to. And how beauty plays a role in making spaces feel cared for.
She applies this same thinking to her home. A drawer that works well, a spot that’s easy to keep clean, a layout that makes sense—those things aren’t flashy, but they support everyday life.
Systems, Seasons, Routines, and Rituals
Whitney breaks down her approach to home life into four parts:
Seasons: Not just the weather, but stages of life. What works in one season may not work in another.
Systems: Everything needs a place. If it doesn’t have one, assign it.
Routines: Small steps that build consistency. Don’t overcomplicate them.
Rituals: When routines carry meaning—like bedtime habits that help a family wind down together.
These aren’t strict rules. They’re tools for thinking about how your home supports your daily experience.
Organizing Isn’t the Goal
This was one of the biggest takeaways for me. Whitney’s not trying to convince anyone to become perfectly tidy or minimalist. She’s simply asking: What kind of life do you want to have at home? Then: What needs to be in place to make that easier?
That might mean clearing out a drawer. It might mean adjusting your morning routine. Or it might mean nothing needs to change, other than the pressure you’re putting on yourself.
If you’ve tried organizing systems that didn’t stick, or if you’ve ever felt like the mess is a personal failure, Whitney offers a different way to look at it. One that’s practical, grounded, and based on paying attention to what’s actually happening in your home.
Her book Organize First, Decorate Second is worth picking up, especially if you’re looking to rethink your space in a way that matches your actual life—not someone else’s ideal version of it.
Until Next Time
-Zandra
Links Mentioned In Episode
Buy “Organize First, Decorate Second” HERE