Declutter 101: How to Get Started Without Feeling Overwhelmed
As we head into spring cleaning season my favourite place to start is with a good old fashioned decluttering session. At the end of the day, the less you have means the less you have to clean. But the reality is decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. But with a clear plan and simple steps, you can tackle clutter without stress. To start here’s my questions to ask yourself when you declutter checklist to make it that much easier.
Start Small and Simple
Start by imagining your ideal space. When we have a picture of what we want it's easier to stay focused on the goal. Instead of tackling your entire home, start with one small space—like a single drawer or countertop—to build momentum. Take before and after pics to keep yourself motivated, start and finish one space before moving on. It’s a place to look to as motivation to keep moving forward. Assign a month for each space, maybe 2 months if it’s a larger space, or one that has more stuff to go through. This way you’re allowing enough time to actually do it without the pressure of tight deadlines.
Use the 10-Minute Rule
Set a timer for just ten minutes and declutter as much as you can. This makes the task feel less daunting and helps you stay motivated.
Sort Items into Four Categories
Use the “Keep, Donate, Trash, Relocate” method to quickly sort through clutter. If things require more thought, leave them for the 2nd round. When you’re relocating items just drop them in the new space and finish organizing the first space, otherwise you’ll end up with many unfinished spaces.
Declutter by Category
Instead of room by room, tackle items like clothes, books, or kitchen gadgets all at once. For the most part they’re all going to be in the same space but for things like clothes where you have seasonal items, find all of the category around the house and bring it to one space. That way you see the true volume of what you have. It makes decision making that much easier because lets be real, do you really need 10 serving trays?
Store Items Where You Use Them
Keep frequently used items in easy-to-reach places to streamline daily tasks and reduce mess.
Set yourself up for success
Have a bin, box, or basket by your front door for all of your donations. Once its full, take it in.
Use the One-In, One-Out Rule
For every new item you bring in, remove one item to maintain a clutter-free space. This is the best habit change you can make to ensure clutter doesn’t come back.
Make Decluttering a Routine
Set a recurring schedule, such as 10 minutes each day or a weekend session once a month, to keep your home clutter-free. Here’s a checklist for daily, monthly, and seasonal decluttering tasks.
Give Yourself Grace
Decluttering is a process, not a one-time event. Progress over perfection is key—celebrate the small wins along the way. Get mini champagnes or treat yourself to a spa day every time you complete a space. If you struggle to declutter, celebrate every time you fill a box.
Happy Decluttering
-Jocelyn