How to Start Decluttering When You Feel Overwhelmed

Decluttering your life is a journey that you start and often restart. 

A journey that, I’d argue, is vital to embark on—there’s so much life on the other side of your decluttering efforts. 

But when getting started decluttering is hard, whether the cause is a health condition, a significant life event, or an overwhelming number of possessions, decluttering can feel futile—regardless of the rewards promised “at the end of the road.”

I decided to “go minimalist” with a preschooler, baby, and postpartum depression diagnosis in tow.

When you’re overwhelmed, your drive to start decluttering can be missing or fickle at best. I’ve been there.

I’d guess many of us have. In fact, 54 percent of Americans are overwhelmed by the amount of clutter they have, and 78 percent of them say they have no idea how to start decluttering.

If you identify with that latter percentage—if you’re having a hard time getting started decluttering because of overwhelm—read on.

Here are 5 tips to help you start decluttering when you feel overwhelmed:

1. Do one thing

Dwelling on all the decluttering-related tasks in your home at once can be paralyzing. Instead, to get started decluttering, narrow your focus. 

What if you had just one thing to do? One—that’s it. Sound more manageable?  

Select your single task and write it—and nothing else—on your to-do list. When you complete it and cross it off, you’re already making progress.

Maybe you choose to empty your purse, clear the front of your fridge, or clean out your car. Or, maybe you start even smaller—emptying one pocket of your purse or one seat of your car. Tomorrow, choose one more tiny task.

Taking action builds momentum. Small, consistent steps toward your goal culminate in big results.

2. Find your team

Overwhelm can feel isolating—the truth is that you’re certainly not alone. Remember, clutter overwhelms over half of Americans. Start decluttering by finding a supportive community. 

Perhaps you choose to join a decluttering course that has a helpful Facebook group. Or, maybe you call a few friends and plan decluttering parties. Or, maybe you join an inspiring Instagram community. 

Social accountability is powerful. A study by the American Society of Training and Development indicated that people are 65 percent more likely to achieve a goal if they commit to it with someone else.

Find like-minded people who will motivate you to start decluttering and hold you accountable if your efforts plateau.

3. Start dreaming again

Overwhelm can entrench our minds in negative thoughts. We end up focusing on what’s wrong instead of imagining what could be.

Allowing yourself to dream again will help you get started decluttering. Maybe this involves creating a vision board that concretizes how you want your home and life to look and feel. Maybe it means bullet journaling an intention for every room.

Or, maybe it means observing your self-talk thoughts and countering untrue negative statements with truthful statements that support your vision. (For example, “I’ll never declutter our home. I have too many other things to do.” Truth: “I can create a decluttered, restful home, and I will because it’s important to me.”) Read more on establishing supportive self-talk here.

4. Plan ahead

Planning ahead can help you start decluttering when you’re overwhelmed. Sunday evening, review your schedule for the upcoming week. 

Is 6:30 to 7 a.m.—before your kids wake up—the best time for you to declutter? Schedule it and stick to it the best you can. Maybe you have a health condition that limits your energy. Identify when you feel your best and plan to declutter for 15-20 minutes then. 

Consider writing down your plan. A study out of Dominican University in California indicated that you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down.

Some simple planning ahead can help you optimize your time and minimize your clutter.

5. Identify what fuels you 

Identify one or two core routines that help you feel less overwhelmed. Then make these non-negotiable. 

Ask yourself, “What can I do that will have the biggest domino effect in my life?” If it’s getting more sleep, then commit to going to bed at 10 instead of 11. If it’s doing something fun, then prioritize activities you enjoy. If it’s eating healthy, then avoid bringing junk food into your house.

Prioritize what fuels you and you’ll have more energy for everything else in your life, including decluttering. 

In conclusion

Getting started decluttering can feel challenging when you’re overwhelmed. Don’t let this feeling stop you—decluttering is still doable. 

Choose one or two of the suggestions above and dive in. What’s most important isn’t how you get started, but that you start.

Any effort spent decluttering is worth it. When you live with less stuff, you live with less stress, less debt, less worry, and less complexity. 

You can opt out of clutter-induced overwhelm by living with less stuff.

Why not start decluttering today?

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist. Her teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached over 1M people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband and their four extremely lively young children. You can also find her on Facebook.

Do you want to get serious about decluttering your life? My signature course will show you how to declutter your inner and outer environment for good. Now is the time to choose change. Now is the time to live lighter. Learn more here.