🧹Start to Declutter by Using These 5 Simple Tips
(Because the hardest part is knowing where — or how — to begin.)
Let’s be real: if decluttering felt easy, you wouldn’t be reading this. These 5 simple tips, will make starting your journey a whole lot smoother.
You might be staring at a room (or five) that feels like it’s buzzing with mental noise. Or maybe you’re stuck in that weird loop of “I want to start,” followed by “…but I don’t even know where.” And if you’ve been carrying guilt, pressure, or the weight of other people’s expectations on top of your stuff?
Yeah. No wonder you feel overwhelmed.
But take a breath — because the truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out today. You just need a way in. And these 5 simple tips are designed to meet you exactly where you are.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum.
1. The Most Simple Tip, Start With What You See Most
You don’t have to declutter the entire house — just focus on one spot you encounter every day. That counter that collects everything. That chair with the laundry. The corner of your desk that makes your brain itch.
Decluttering something visible offers an immediate emotional payoff. It also builds trust. You prove to yourself that yes, you can make a dent. And you’ll feel it every time you walk by — a subtle reminder that progress is happening.
🟡 Bonus Tip: Start with something that belongs to you, not shared spaces or family zones. It keeps the decision-making simple and empowering.
2. Timebox It — Really it works!
Set a timer for 10, 15, or 30 minutes — and stop when it rings. This keeps you from slipping into a spiral of “I should just finish the whole thing…” and then burning out halfway through.
Time limits reduce the pressure and keep the task bite-sized. It shifts the mindset from “I have to finish everything” to “Let’s just begin.” (Spoiler: Beginning is where the magic happens.)
🟡 Try This: Call it a “reset round” — just like a quick refresh. You’re not tackling a mountain. You’re setting a mood.
3. Create a “Not Sure” Box
Don’t let one tricky item derail your whole momentum. If you hit something that makes you hesitate — emotionally, logistically, or otherwise — it goes in the Not Sure Box.
Label it. Date it. Revisit it in 30 days.
Decision fatigue is real. Instead of forcing clarity, this gives you space. Plus, most people find that after some distance, it’s easier to let go.
🟡 Heads Up: Set a calendar reminder to revisit the box. Don’t let it become another corner of clutter.
4. Use “One Touch, One Decision”
This one’s gold: Every time you pick up an item, you make a decision about it. No setting it aside. No “I’ll figure it out later.” You touch it — and it either stays, gets donated, tossed, or dealt with now.
This eliminates rework. It also builds your decision-making muscles and keeps you moving forward, item by item.
🟡 Caveat: This works best in small spaces or during your timeboxed rounds. Don’t try this with your entire garage in one afternoon — your brain will riot.
5. Even with Simple Tips, Emotional Resistance Is Part of the Process
Decluttering isn’t just about stuff. It’s about memory. Identity. Hopes. Guilt. Fear. It’s why a broken lamp can make you cry or why letting go of a gift makes you feel like a bad person.
You’re not weak. You’re not dramatic. You’re human.
The more grace you give yourself during the process, the less likely you are to shut down and walk away. Recognizing emotional clutter as real clutter gives you the chance to work with your brain, not against it.
🟡 Affirmation: “I’m allowed to take my time. I’m allowed to find this hard. And I’m allowed to let go.”
🚧 Real Talk: Start Ugly. Stay Honest. Strongarm Simple Tips.
Your first decluttering session might feel clunky. You might start with high energy and end up under a blanket with snacks and a podcast. That’s okay.
You don’t have to do it “right.”
You just have to do it real.
Consistency matters more than intensity. Five minutes a day will get you further than a single overwhelmed weekend ever will.
📌 Sticky Note Edition
- You don’t need a whole plan. You just need one corner.
- Timer on. Pressure off.
- Not Sure Box = emotional breathing room.
- Touch it once. Decide once.
- Your stuff has stories. And you’re allowed to rewrite them.
You’re not building a Pinterest board — you’re building peace.
