How to Declutter When It’s Hard

We all know decluttering is helpful for our homes. That we will feel lighter and more at ease with less items in our home. However, it’s not always easy to do.

Here are some reasons why decluttering is hard and how to make it a little bit easier!

Need some help getting started? Grab out whole home decluttering checklist to help you get started on decluttering your home.

1. Lack of Time

The main reason people don’t declutter (or do anything) is lack of time. As a working mom of three, my time that I get to choose is very limited. It comes down to priorities. Is it a priority to declutter your house? If yes, find the time. If no, then don’t worry about it and wait until it is a priority!

Start Small

The best way to get started is start small. Take 10 minutes a day to get through a tough area. I like to start with my own space (that way, no one else will mess it up). Set a timer for 10 minutes and go through a bathroom drawer. You don’t even have to worry about organizing at this point, just declutter. Decide if it’s something you use or not. If not, throw it away. 10 minutes later you will have decluttered a drawer.

Make It a Habit

Start to make it a habit. Take 10 minutes each day (or an hour on the weekends if that works better) and start decluttering different spaces. Once you start to make it a habit, you will start to look forward to your decluttering session!

After taking a little bit of time each day to declutter, that is my activity of choice when I have some time. Kids entertaining themselves? I take 10 minutes to declutter the junk drawer. Waiting for something to come out of the oven? Look through your kitchen drawer and get rid of duplicates or utensils you no longer use.

2. Lack of Energy/ Motivation

Another reason people choose not to declutter is lack of energy. When you do get the time, the last thing you want to do is declutter a space in your home. Netflix and your phone are calling your name!

Start Small

Sometimes, the best way to get into something is just start. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and get started. You can tell yourself you can be finished when it goes off. Sometimes, you won’t want to stop until you’ve finished the space!

Make It a Habit

Once you get started, make it into a habit. Decision fatigue is a real thing. When you need to decide to declutter, it takes a lot more energy than just doing it out of habit. Think about brushing your teeth. I know for me, I can’t go to bed without brushing my teeth. It’s a habit that I now crave. The same can happen with decluttering. You will crave that sense of accomplishment after you finish!

Set Goals

Sometimes, it works best just to set a goal. Working towards a goal can help get you started. And know yourself, if you need some accountability, get a friend to work towards the same goal. Or, hire a professional organizer to organize the space when you’re done! The motivation of having a professional coming can help you get the space done more quickly!

Pair with Something Fun

Sometimes, you just need to make it fun. I love declutter, but really have a hard time folding laundry. Now, when I have to fold and put away laundry, I put on a show I enjoy and make it more fun. I like the chance to watch a show during the day and be productive! If I am decluttering kids clothes, I turn on a podcast or audio book to listen to. Both of these help me get through a more daunting task.

Think about what you enjoy that you could do while decluttering. Do you enjoy music? Put on a great playlist you love. Do you like skincare? Put on a face mask and while it soaks in, take those 10 minutes to declutter. Think about how you can make the task more enjoyable.

3. Saving Something for “Fantasy Self”

When it comes to clothing, we like to save things for someone else’s life. Sometimes, we keep things from a past life, of a corporate job when we now stay home with kids. Or a future self, one day I might wear more than leggings and t-shirts. Or a fantasy self, thinking we are someone who will get dressed up and ready each day.

For these items, you need to consider your current life. If you are saving something, consider if you will actually wear it or just think you will. I recently went through my closet. I have a list of items I think I need, but am waiting to see what I actually wear. I tend to wear leggings and t-shirts every day. I think that I need another pair of jeans because I tell myself I will wear them on some days. And I don’t. But taking the time to consider that, I now realize I don’t actually need them.

Saving Item for “Just in Case”

Sometimes we keep items “just in case.” We think we may need them so hang onto them. But many times, these items take up valuable real estate in our main areas and are just frustrating to have in view.

For these items, I want you to think if you actually use them and store them accordingly. I have a roasting pan that I use once or twice during the holidays. I would like to keep it because I do use it, but it is not stored in a main area of my kitchen. It is above the fridge where I can get to it on a step stool with some effort, but not where I can reach it every day!

If it is an item that you won’t actually use, get rid of it. Donate it. Let it go to someone who will use it.

4. Saving an Item out of Guilt

We keep items out of guilt. Many times, these are gifts that we feel bad getting rid of. This can also be items that have been passed down from grandparents or parents that you don’t find sentimental, but you feel like you should keep.

For gifts, if it is something you don’t want, pass it on. First, consider if that person will even notice (most will not). Then, think about if they want you to keep something you don’t enjoy (most won’t). They would prefer that you pass it on.

For items that have been passed down, consider if you’re actually going to look at them. If they are pictures, do you even know who is in them? If no, can you find out. Make sure those family heirloom items you keep you know why you’re keeping. Then, either store them so you can see them (preferred) or store them away safely. Again, don’t keep items in main spaces that you don’t enjoy and want to see every day.

5. Saving Sentimental Items

Sentimental items are some of the hardest to declutter. These are items that you keep because they remind you of something. Again, I want you think about if you will use these again.

My mom saved some of hers and our favorite clothes from when we were little. Now, my niece can fit in them and she wears them sometimes. I am so glad my mom saved those because it’s fun to see my niece in them. I have saved a few items that I would love to pass on to future grandkids, but everything else has been donated.

Other sentimental items that people keep aren’t happy memories. Sometimes, there are items from a previous marriage that only bring up unhappy memories. Get rid of those! Any items with negative energy need to get out of your house immediately!

Store Them Properly

Lastly, there are those sentimental items that make you happy. I am not saying get rid of everything. But keep items that you enjoy in a space you can enjoy them. Either display them so you can see them everyday or keep them in a box that is accessible and you can look at them. You want these items to make you happy and they can’t do that stored away in a box forever!

6. Overwhelmed with All the Stuff

Sometimes, people aren’t decluttering items because they’re overwhelmed. Many times, there is so much to do that you don’t know where to start!

Start Small

Again, start with a small space, like a drawer or one section of your closet. And start in your space. Yes, the kitchen may be overwhelming, but it’s hard to start in a common area where your family is. Start in a personal space so you can see the progress and use that momentum to get you to a common area.

Make It into a Habit

The way to get out from being overwhelmed is make it into a habit. Once you start to see the progress, you feel less overwhelmed and more likely to continue into more difficult areas.

7. Not Knowing what to do

Sometimes, you don’t know where to start. That is where extra support can come in.

My first suggestion is get our decluttering checklist below. This provides a framework to work through along with some tips for each space. This can help you figure out where to get started. I have an order to work through ready to go to help get your home decluttered.

Afterwards, if you still need more support, reach out. We are happy to provide more support with virtual or in-home sessions to help you reach your goals!