5 Pieces of Decluttering Advice to Keep in Mind

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Decluttering, ughhh. I get it. As much as I love decluttering now, it wasn’t always like that.

Initially, I found it challenging and a little depressing.

The truth is most people struggle with it. And it’s not about finding the time–they struggle with the emotions, habits, and mindset that come with it.

Decluttering is hard, and it goes beyond just throwing out stuff. There’s a reason you have the stuff in the first place, and there are some things you need to address. Here are five pieces of decluttering advice I wish more people understood to help them get started.

1. Clutter Is a Symptom of a Greater Problem

Clutter isn’t just about stuff-it’s a sign of something else. Maybe you’re dealing with stress or avoidance. Maybe you’re a chronic procrastinator. It doesn’t matter. Your clutter is a symptom of a great problem.

The mess typically reflects a mess in your life. So, ask yourself why the clutter’s there in the first time. If you don’t have time, make time. Make it a priority and put something else on the backburner. If you don’t know what to do, ask someone or check out a book in the library.

If you’re avoiding something else, you need to address it. Once you do, clearing your space becomes a whole lot easier.

2. Decluttering Is a Continuous Process

We’ve all done it…decluttered, organized, and tidied up…then watched the messiness creep back in. But decluttering isn’t something you do once and forget about.

It never really ends…like laundry or dishes.

Stuff accumulates no matter how hard you try to keep it out. Old things get worn out and new things naturally come in. So you’ve got to stay on top of it.

Regularly evaluate what you own and be ruthless about what stays. Accept that decluttering is a continuous process, and you’ll find peace.

3. Letting Go Is Hard

Letting go is tough. We attach ourselves to things that mean something to us, even when they no longer serve a purpose.

Maybe it’s the shirt you wore when you went on your first date or a dress you bought but haven’t had the chance to wear. Regardless, you’re holding on to things that you don’t really need but can’t let go of. It’s tough.

But holding on to everything just because it means something to you once upon a time isn’t doing you any favors. Letting go is hard, but necessary. Focus on what things represent and look for other ways to preserve your memories.

The Minimalist 90/90 Rule challenges us to let go of things we haven’t used in the past 90 days, and likely won’t use in the upcoming 90 days. Give it a try.

4. Don’t Buy More bins…yet

Don’t fall into the trap of buying storage bins. Here’s the deal- you really won’t know how you’re going to organize everything until you decide what you’re keeping.

I get it, you feel productive and they look so cute. They’re just not helping and they’re probably making things worse.

You have to deal with the clutter and that doesn’t mean shuffling it around without a plan.

Bins give you the illusion that you have it all together and organized, but it’s a mirage…a fantasy. You have to put in the work first or everything will end up in a black hole. Focus on reducing the overall amount of stuff you have and keep only what you need and love.

5. You Have to Have a Plan

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you look at all the stuff you’ve accumulated. But the thing is you have to start somewhere.

Waiting until you’re ready or motivated won’t get you anywhere. Try using a checklist, doing a challenge, or write out a simple plan.

Small wins will add up to big progress before you know it. Action beats procrastination no matter what you’re doing.

How to Get and Stay Motivated to Declutter

I know decluttering isn’t exactly a thrill ride. The idea of looking at that pile of stuff you’ve been avoiding for months (or years) feels like a chore because, well…it is.

But motivation doesn’t just show up at your doorstep like an Amazon package. You have to create it. The key is to start small. Don’t think about decluttering the entire house. Just tackle one drawer, one shelf, one corner at a time. Joshua Becker says start with the easiest task first. Once you see that small victory, you’ll feel a spark of motivation to keep going. It’s like a snowball effect—small wins lead to bigger wins.

Another trick? Make it personal. Don’t declutter because you feel like you should. Do it because of how it’ll make you feel. Picture opening your closet and actually finding what you need without a scavenger hunt. Tie your motivation to the end result, not the process.

Lastly, keep the momentum going by setting deadlines. Yeah, deadlines suck, but they work. Tell yourself you’re going to tackle one area by the end of the week and stick to it. Break the task into smaller chunks if you have to. Reward yourself after each milestone. It doesn’t have to be big—maybe a nice coffee break or a binge-watch session of your favorite show. The point is that once you get rolling, the motivation will follow. And soon enough, you’ll look around and wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. I love it!

Featured Image Credit: Alliance Images/Shutterstock.