At some point, we have all had an 'Ah-ha' moment... an epiphany.
It may have been during a recent move that you stopped to wonder in disbelief over the number of boxes your 'stuff' required. Maybe you woke up one day exasperated with thoughts of 'Enough, already!' In either case, once you realized you didn't want to live overwhelmed with stuff and junk, you were eager to make a change.
However, you cannot convince others in your family to have the same epiphany. Have you found that the harder you push someone you love, the more resistance you tend to create? They have to come to it on their own. Change is hard. Persuading your family to embrace a new idea must appeal to both mind and heart. Tread with care and kindness when it comes to de-cluttering a home shared with a family.
CLUTTER REDUCTiON STRATEGiES
Help from an expert
It is true that people tend to accept advice from 'experts & professionals' more readily than from loved ones. Uncomplicate the process and reduce potential friction amongst family members by bringing in an expert who can offer an objective viewpoint. A third party can be helpful in guiding the family through the clutter to achieve goals.
Relevant Stories
Find and share success stories of others who have tried and succeeded in clearing the clutter & improving their lives. Keep the stories relevant to your family. For example, if your family is inspired to 'GO GREEN', find a true story or inspirational read about reducing one's material footprint making more time for travel & the pursuit of goals. An outdoor, athletic family might enjoy true stories of people who live with less in order to have more time to enjoy an active lifestyle or pursue a dream (like running a marathon in all 50 states!) Then there are the plethora of stories about people who drastically downsize and discover that less 'stuff' means less maintenance, and opens up more time for the truly important things in life. Whatever your families interests... the stories you share can be tremendous encouragement to all. Keep it real! Make it relevant!
The Holding Area
Designate a temporary 'holding area' for items on their way out the door. This reduces the fear factor and allows emotional attachments to ease into the decision of 'letting go'. A corner of the garage, basement or even loaning the item to a friend works well. If the item stays in the holding area for 3 months without being missed, it can be removed (recycled, gifted to the friend or trashed). If someone really missed it, the item could be moved back into the house.
Support and Encourage
At times you will encounter collections or items with such a strong hold over you that you'll be resigned to keep it/them. During those times, alternative ideas and brainstorming sessions with the family are invaluable. Look for ways to reduce, reuse or recycle. You do not have to walk this road alone! Take a cue from change management programs that strongly suggest we BE THAT BASE OF SUPPORT for our spouse and family. When someone believes in you, it renews your resolve to keep moving forward.
Celebrate Success
It is important to keep de-cluttering goals in mind without focusing constantly on what is still left to sort and delete. Take time to celebrate the steps of success. Expressing joy is uber-important! Speak it. Show it. Put your happiness into words, demonstrate your improved mood... grab a family member for an impromptu dance in a room with newly cleared floor space! Express your happiness with the family's success! 
Photos are courtesy of Pinterest and intended for your enjoyment.