How to Declutter when You Are Stuck and Overwhelmed with Clutter
Being buried in clutter can feel stressful. And when everything feels messy, it’s hard to know where to even begin.
If you are like me, this can lead to analysis paralysis and not wanting to start decluttering at all.
But we know that it can’t be that way. Clutter led to the emotional distress you are facing right now and you know that to change the feeling, you have to take action.
It’s essential to give yourself grace and not aim for perfection immediately.
So, how and where should we start?
No matter how much clutter you have piled, I promise it is not as tough as it looks. We will take it slow, and one step at a time.
Here’s how to take that very first step when decluttering feels overwhelming.
Acknowledge the overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed is a normal part of life, especially when it comes to managing clutter.
It’s important to first recognize and accept your feelings. This can be the first step toward creating a more organized space.
Take a few moments to sit quietly and reflect on how clutter affects you.
Consider writing down your thoughts in a journal. This can help you gain clarity and see the full scope of what you’re dealing with.
You can use this self-reflection time to think about how the clutter accumulated to the point of overwhelm and what habits of yours led to it.
This will help in identifying patterns in your behavior that need to be changed to avoid repeating this scenario in the future.
You may find it helpful to talk to a friend or family member. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust allows you to release pent-up stress. And who knows, they might even offer valuable advice or a fresh perspective!
Here are some simple steps to start:
- Breathe: Take deep breaths to calm your mind.
- Notice: Look around your space with fresh eyes. What emotions come up when you see the clutter? Overwhelm, guilt, frustration, sadness? Just notice them—there’s no need to fix anything yet.
- Reflect: Ask yourself: What does this clutter represent? Unfinished tasks, past memories, a busy season of life? Naming it can help release some of the pressure.
- Accept: Remind yourself that clutter doesn’t define you. It’s just stuff—and it’s okay to take your time with it.
- Prioritize: Decide one small area to tackle first. No pressure to start. We will come to it later.
Acknowledging your emotions doesn’t mean you need to act on them immediately. Permitting yourself to feel can ease some of the tension.
Do a brain dump
After acknowledging the problem, the next step is to brain-dump every detail of the steps you want to take.
A brain dump is a simple way to clear mental chaos and release the frustration caused by clutter.
Grab a pen and paper or open a digital note app. Write down everything on your mind related to clutter and organization.
Include tasks, items you need to address, and any worries.
Don’t worry about the order or making it neat. Just get everything out on paper so you can evaluate what’s urgent and what’s not.
Create lists for different areas that need attention—kitchen, bedroom, home office, etc. This can help sort thoughts into manageable sections.
Benefits of a brain dump:
- Reduces stress: Clearing your mind can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Improves focus: Knowing what’s on your plate helps you prioritize tasks more effectively.
- Organizes thoughts: By sorting thoughts into categories, you translate what seems unmanageable into solid action.
Once you’ve done your brain dump, use it as an outline to tackle each task one at a time.
This process not only clears mental clutter but also provides clarity on the next steps you need to take.
If you find yourself feeling stuck or stressed again, you can try the brain dump process. It’s a helpful way to reset and regain control.
Make a decluttering plan
Creating a decluttering plan is important when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Here are the things to consider when making a decluttering plan:
Decide where to start:
After brain dumping, you must have an idea of what areas need your attention urgently. So when making the plan, decide which area you would tackle first.
Choose a decluttering method:
- Room-by-room: Tackle one space at a time.
- Category-by-category: Sort items like clothes, books, kitchenware, etc.
- Time-based: Dedicate 30-60 minutes daily instead of doing it all at once.
After making the plan, decide what to prioritize, which is the next step.
Prioritize what needs to be done
Prioritizing tasks is key in managing overwhelming amounts of clutter.
Because when you look around your house, you know that there are certain areas that overwhelm you more than the others.
Dealing with those areas first will help you reduce your overwhelm and give your heart a little bit of peace and encouragement to continue the decluttering process.
Begin by identifying items or areas that need immediate attention, such as areas impacting daily life.
Essentials include spaces like the kitchen or living room where you spend most of your time. Or for some, it could be their bedroom.
You can use a journal notebook or your phone’s note app to write the priority list.
Use a numbering system or a three-level priority list:
- High Priority: Tasks that need immediate attention
- Medium Priority: Important but not urgent
- Low Priority: Can be done when time allows
Make sure you schedule the decluttering of items in the low-priority list so that they don’t get ignored or postponed indefinitely.
Decide to see through the end of the decluttering process no matter what, to make your plan and efforts worthwhile.
As you sort through items, ask yourself questions like,
- Do I use this regularly?
- Does this have sentimental value?
- Do I love this item? Does it make me happy?
- Is this item adding value to my life?
- Do I have duplicates of this?
- Am I keeping this because of guilt (it was expensive, a gift, etc.)?
- If I got rid of this, would I even notice?
- Does this item belong in my ideal, clutter-free home?
This ensures your time is spent wisely.
Organize tasks by category or action
There are various ways to organize your tasks once you start decluttering.
You can either start decluttering room-wise or category-wise, as mentioned earlier. Organizing your decluttering tasks by category or action simplifies the process.
For example, if you want to declutter your clothes, but then you remember your kids have outgrown some of their clothes too, it makes sense to declutter clothes in all the rooms of your house at once.
It will make sorting into different boxes (for donation, for rags, for dumping, etc) easier, as you can finish the decluttering in all rooms in one go. Grouping related tasks helps you work more efficiently and see progress faster.
You could create categories such as clothing, kitchen items, electronics or paperwork.
Another approach is sorting tasks by type of action needed, such as sorting, cleaning, or donating.
After decluttering and clearing the storage space, you can set another day or time for sorting, and then another time for donating, etc. This is to break the tasks into smaller tasks so that overwhelm doesn’t take you over.
Use lists or digital notes to record tasks under each category, making them easier to tackle.
This method reduces decision fatigue, as you know exactly what needs attention in each space.
Break it down into small tasks
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time!
It’s a great metaphor for tackling big tasks—just break it down into small, manageable steps, and keep going until you’re done.
This is a simple principle you can adopt in everything in life.
Here, you can begin by choosing a single, manageable area such as a desk drawer or closet corner.
This approach prevents the process from feeling overwhelming.
Make a list of the tasks required to declutter this area, breaking them into bite-sized tasks like sorting, discarding, and organizing.
Tick off each completed task to feel a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.
To-do list example:
- Remove unnecessary items
- Sort items by category
- Organize remaining items neatly
“Start from one corner” mantra
This is what I do when I get overwhelmed seeing clutter.
Being a sensitive person, my surroundings affect me greatly.
Clutter makes me frustrated and whenever I enter a space with clutter, my mantra is always to “start from one corner”.
This helps me from preventing my mind from falling into paralysis and overwhelm by the visual clutter. And also, it helps to take action quickly and get the job done.
Use time tracking apps
Time tracking apps are invaluable for decluttering.
They help you monitor how much time you spend on each task, ensuring efficient use of your day.
Apps like Toggl allow you to log activities, providing insight into how you can optimize your efforts.
It’s easy to lose time while decluttering. By visualizing your time distribution, you can identify areas where you may be spending too much time and need to streamline.
With these insights, you’ll find it easier to schedule your decluttering tasks effectively.
For a detailed plan, consider allocating specific times to each decluttering activity, helping you maintain focus without spending too long on a single area.
If you don’t want to use any app, just set a timer on your phone for each task.
Set realistic goals for each day
Setting achievable daily goals makes decluttering less daunting.
Focus on small, controllable tasks rather than overcommitting.
For example, aim to clear just one drawer or declutter a specific number of items each day.
Writing down these goals helps maintain accountability and provides a sense of accomplishment once achieved.
Adjust goals based on your available time and energy levels, ensuring you don’t feel strained. And also be ready to be flexible, if other things come up.
Allow yourself enough time for breaks and reflection, helping you make thoughtful decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
It’s crucial not to rush, as this ensures that the decisions you make are sustainable. This approach maintains your motivation, making it more likely you’ll stick with your plan.
Create a daily habit
Incorporate decluttering into your daily routine.
Dedicate a specific time each day, even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes, to focus on organizing one small area of your space. Consistency is key.
Here are some daily routine tips:
- Set a reminder on your phone
- Pick a time that suits your schedule
- Keep sessions brief to maintain motivation
Making decluttering a regular part of your day helps prevent future clutter buildup. Over time, you’ll notice a simpler, more organized living environment.
Related: 10 daily decluttering habits of people who have clean homes
Use sorting techniques (Four-Box Method)
This is one tip you must try when clutter overwhelms you so much. Use boxes while decluttering.
Arrange four large boxes with labels: Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate/Unsure.
As you work through an area, decide the fate of each item and place it in the corresponding box. This method provides structure and ensures that every object has a purpose.
Four-Box Method:
- Keep: Items you use and love
- Donate: Items in good condition but no longer useful to you
- Trash: Damaged or irreparable items
- Relocate/Unsure: Items better suited in another room or items you feel you need more time to think about.
This approach will help you get rid of visual clutter from the decluttering area immediately, which will help you feel better about the progress you are making.
Let go of emotional clutter
Some items carry emotional weight, making them hard to part with.
If you find it hard to start, begin with the ones that have the least sentiment attached.
Here are some tips for letting go:
- Take photos of sentimental items to preserve memories
- Focus on keeping the memory, not the physical item
- Repeat the decision process to build confidence
Learning to let go of these items is important to clear both physical and emotional space. Remember, you can carry the memories with you even if the item is not present physically.
It helps to take pictures of sentimental items and write notes about them. Write down everything you want to remember about that specific item and why it’s significant for you – this will help in letting go, because you can look at the pictures and read about them whenever you want.
Tidy up the fun way
Who said decluttering has to be boring?
You can make it a fun chore, and enjoy the satisfaction of clutter leaving your house (and mind!)
Add a fun twist to decluttering by listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you work. Use a timer to create a sense of urgency, turning decluttering into a game.
Here are some fun ideas:
- Invite a friend to keep you company
- Set challenges, like decluttering within 10 minutes
- Reward yourself with a treat post-session (chocolate, hair spa, etc)
Finding enjoyment in the task helps reduce stress and makes you more likely to keep at it regularly.
Create a system for maintaining order
Set up easy rules to stop clutter from coming back.
Design places for frequently used items, ensuring they are easy to reach. Employ storage solutions like baskets, drawer dividers, and hooks to maintain cleanliness and order.
Here are some maintenance tips:
- Have a designated place for every item and regularly return items to their places
- Conduct mini-decluttering sessions monthly
- One in, one out rule: For every new item you bring in—whether it’s clothes, toys, or kitchen gadgets—let go of one you no longer need. It keeps things balanced!
- Sort mail and paper daily: Don’t let papers pile up. Open, sort, and toss or file things right away to avoid paper clutter chaos.
- Be a mindful shopper: Before buying something new, ask: Do I really need this? Will it add value or become clutter? This helps avoid impulse buys.
- Check Your “Clutter Hotspots”: Keep an eye on those spots where clutter tends to pile up—like countertops, the dining table, or the entryway. A quick reset every few days helps!
Setting up and sticking to an organizing system helps keep clutter from coming back and makes it easier to stay tidy over time.
Get family involved
Involve family members or friends in decluttering. Shared efforts can speed up the process and make it more enjoyable.
It also helps to create a sense of responsibility in all the members of the house, including your spouse and kids. Once everyone gets used to a tidy home, over time you can expect them to clean the house on their own.
Here are some collaboration ideas:
- Assign each person a specific area
- Make it a competition with rewards for the best declutterer
- Schedule group decluttering days
- Play your favorite playlist, dance a little, and make decluttering feel like a fun group activity instead of a chore.
- Keep a visible donation bin in a common area. Encourage everyone to drop in things they no longer use throughout the week.
Celebrate progress and reward yourself
Celebrate your wins along the way! Noticing your progress keeps you motivated and makes it easier to keep going.
Here are some reward suggestions:
- Treat yourself to a favorite snack
- Plan a relaxing activity post-decluttering
- Share your accomplishments with others
Little rewards like these can keep you motivated, and noticing your progress helps you stay positive about future organizing tasks.
It’s a pat on your back from you to you, because you have done it and you deserve it!
Wrapping up
Decluttering doesn’t have to be all or nothing— the key is to take it one small step at a time.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that even a little progress counts.
Start with one drawer, one shelf, or one corner, and build from there. Celebrate your wins, give yourself grace, and trust that with consistency, your space will slowly turn into the calm and clutter-free haven you’re dreaming of. You’ve got this!
