How To Get Started Decluttering When You Feel Overwhelmed

Do you feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your home?

Do you panic when someone is coming over because you feel embarrassed by the mess?

Do you waste time searching for things you know you own?

You are not alone.

I used to think I needed a better cleaning and organising system. My home was untidy, I lost bits and pieces regularly (Has anyone seen the scissors?), and I felt guilty every time I sat on the couch because there was always a mess crying out to be tidied up.

It turns out, I didn’t need a better system. I wasn’t lazy or unorganised. I just had too much stuff. It took me a few years and a few house moves, but eventually I got rid of all the excess. Now, everything I own has a place to belong. I can find the things I need, and my home is easy to keep clean and tidy.

If clutter feels overwhelming, it doesn’t mean you're lazy or disorganised. Life is busy, and the constant stream of products filling our homes is difficult to manage.

But it isn’t easy. Decluttering can be an overwhelming task. And sometimes, the hardest part is knowing how to begin. These tips will show you how to get started decluttering when you feel overwhelmed.

1.        START WITH THINGS THAT HAVE NO EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT

We often have things that need to be decluttered that carry emotional weight. They may be gifts from a loved one, a collection of photographs or décor left to you by someone who has passed. Don’t start with emotionally heavy items.

Rather, start your decluttering journey with items that have no emotional attachment. Begin with your makeup drawer, underwear or cleaning cupboard. Begin with items that are purely functional and not overly valuable. Leave the emotionally heavy decisions for when you have strengthened your decluttering muscles.

2.        START WITH A SPACE YOU USE EVERY DAY

You may be tempted to begin decluttering with a hidden cupboard in your spare bedroom, a storage area in the attic or at the back of the garage. These spaces may need to be cleaned out, but resist the temptation to start there.

Rather, begin with a space that you see and use every day. Start somewhere obvious. Declutter your bathroom vanity, your bedside table or entryway. Declutter your utensils drawer, the cupboard under your sink or your shoe storage. It’s so motivating to enjoy using a tidy and decluttered space from the very beginning of your decluttering journey. Make it obvious, and enjoy the progress you are making from the start.

3.        START WITH A SMALL, MANAGEABLE AREA

You may have a big, overwhelming mess somewhere in your home that needs decluttering, and you will get to it, I promise. But don’t start there.

Any decluttering job makes the space messier before it gets better. It’s just a normal part of the process. But it’s amazing how much progress you can make when you tackle small areas, one at a time.

One drawer, one shelf, one bathroom cupboard, one kitchen bench area—they all add up over time. And, if you can empty, declutter, clean and replace one area in 15 or 20 minutes, you will avoid the overwhelm of trying to declutter a whole room in one go, and your home will remain functional in the process.

4.        START WITH YOUR OWN STUFF

It can be tempting to declutter the biggest problem areas of your home, whether they are yours or not. It may be the kids’ toy room, your husband’s tools in the garage, your teenager’s unused sporting equipment, or the family DVD collection. Resist. The last thing you need as you begin to declutter your home is resistance from others who share your space.

Begin by decluttering your own things. The things you use yourself, purchased yourself, that belong to you alone. The time will come when you can work together with others to tackle their clutter, but create an example of the freedom a decluttered space brings by dealing with your own stuff first.

I hope these ideas help you as you begin your decluttering journey. You don’t need to declutter your whole house this weekend.

• Start with things that don’t carry an emotional weight

• Start with a space you see and use every day

• Start with one small space—one drawer, one shelf, one surface

• Start with things that you own and are responsible for

Small progress creates momentum. Decluttering one small area every day or two will make a noticeable difference to your home in a few short weeks.

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If you’d like more help, explore the resources below for practical tips to simplify your home and create space for what matters most.