How to Start Decluttering When You're Overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin? Here are 9 simple tips to help you declutter when you don't know where (or how) to start.
Getting started is often the hardest part of any decluttering project. You look around your home and feel paralysed by all the stuff. Where do you even begin?
The good news is you don't need a perfect plan or a whole weekend free. You just need to start somewhere, and these simple steps will show you how.
1. Start Small with Areas That Make an Immediate Difference
Begin with small, achievable spaces that will give you a positive impact straight away. Think of these as practice for your decluttering muscle.
Choose easier categories first: things you're not emotionally attached to. Look for the quick wins and low-hanging fruit before working up to the harder areas and items.
2. Focus on Neglected Items, Not Daily Mess
Deal with dormant areas rather than your daily mess. Get those stagnant storage spaces clear and ready to hold the things you actually use now. This can be tricky because it means looking past things on the surface (because these are probably the things you currently use and need).
When you start, focus on reducing volume first. Bulky items take up the most space, so they're a good place to begin.
3. Let Go of Crafting the Perfect Plan
You don't need to know the whole plan before you start. There will be twists and turns and unexpected things. That's normal. Prepare yourself for some follow-up tasks along the way. Unfinished tasks are one big reason for the build-up of clutter, so anticipate some additional work.
Sometimes we need to decide not to follow up on a previously planned task to ease the load and make progress, and this is okay. Remember to preserve your time and energy for your bigger overall goal.
4. Set Your Criteria Early
What are your values and principles when it comes to your home, your possessions, and what's truly important to you? What does "finished" look like for you? If you start to feel confused or lost, return to these principles and questions. They'll get you back on track and guide your decisions as you go.
A helpful strategy is to set some guidelines for your decisions up front. For example
I will donate things I haven’t used in the last year.
If I had forgotten I owned it I’m going to let it go.
I will have just one draw of spare stationery and pass on the excess.
Deciding in advance can keep you aligned with your overall goal and ease the decision fatigue later on.
5. Just Start Somewhere
There isn't one magical perfect spot to begin. As a professional organiser with many years' experience, I can often identify a place that makes sense to start: one that will have immediate benefit and unlock blocked areas of your home so they can become functional again. I'll also aim to find a way to reduce the overwhelm quickly during the first session so you can feel the relief straight away. So perhaps consider which space is going to make the biggest difference to you. But if that feels too tricky, sometimes it's just about starting small, practising, and learning.
You can actually start anywhere. All progress is good progress. The important thing is to actually begin, gain momentum, and build confidence.
6. Get Support
Ask a friend to be your body double, or accountability buddy. You can read blogs, books or listen to podcasts if you want the extra help you can work with a professional home organiser. You don't have to do this alone. The Brisbane families and households I have worked with over the years have found that having an experienced decluttering professional alongside them makes the process quicker, easier and more effective.
7. Plan for the Practical Stuff
Identify the barriers you might encounter. Know how you're going to handle donations, rubbish, and recycling. What standard are you aiming for? If you have a tendency towards perfectionism you might need to be flexible and compromise to make progress, and that's okay.
If you're in Brisbane, there are plenty of local donation centres and recycling options to help you clear your space responsibly. You can find a free handy guide linked at the end of this article.
Importantly it’s a myth that you need to have lots of fancy storage solutions and tubs before you start, this is a common mistake; decluttering is always the first step.
8. Allow Enough Time
Start what you can finish in the time you have available. Tie up loose ends as you go. Pause to get donations and rubbish to the car and bins. Put things away intermittently if you already have a place for them. If you have any "work-in-progress" piles, keep these aside where they won't get disturbed and clearly label them. Don't fall into the trap of telling yourself "I'll remember that". Doing these things prevents leaving a big mess behind when you stop for the day or get interrupted half way through.
9. Treat Yourself with Kindness
Addressing clutter can stir up big emotions, especially with sentimental items that hold both good memories and difficult ones. There could be some sadness and even a few tears, but avoiding these feelings often makes them stronger. It’s common for it to be an emotional task and consider seeking support if deeper issues surface.
Your inner critic may replay stories of shame about your home, draining your motivation. When this happens, ask yourself: "What would I tell a friend in this situation?" Speak to yourself with that same kindness.
Ready to Begin?
Remember, decluttering isn't about achieving perfection or transforming your entire home overnight. It's about taking small, manageable steps that gradually create more space, calm, and clarity in your spaces. Start where you are, use what you have, and be gentle with yourself along the way.
Here's a Summary of the Tips to Get Started Decluttering:
Start small with easier items first
Focus on dormant storage, not daily mess
Reduce volume: tackle bulky items
Let go of needing a perfect plan
Set your decision criteria early
Getting started matters more than where you start
Ask for help if you need it
Plan for donations and rubbish
Allow enough time to finish what you start
Be kind to yourself
More Resources to Help You Get Started
Looking for more guidance on decluttering and home organisation? Check out these helpful resources:
Free Downloads:
5 Things Creating Clutter – Resource to help you deal with common clutter causes
30 Things You Can Declutter Today – A simple list to get you moving
Where to Donate and Recycle Guide – Local Brisbane options for responsible disposal
Related Blog Articles:
Understanding Clutter, Disorganisation & Mess – Know what you're dealing with
Decluttering; Waste and Environmental Concerns – How to declutter sustainably
10 More Things Creating Clutter in Your Home – Common items that cause build-up
In-Depth Guides:
Creating Calm Spaces eBook – Comprehensive guide with organising systems and strategies ($14.95)
Home Systems Workbook – Simple activities to organise routines and reduce chaos ($9.95)
Newsletter:
A Calm Year - Tips and resources to help you declutter and organise
Connect:
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