How To Get Yourself Motivated To Declutter Your Home

Over in our Facebook group Declutter Buzz, I read every day how overwhelmed people are by the clutter in their homes, from having too much stuff to piles of laundry. You are not alone if you are frustrated about having too much stuff in your space, short on time and don’t know where to start.

Many people really want a clutter-free home and struggle to find the motivation and time to declutter and organize their living space.  It’s important to take steps to get yourself motivated to declutter because a cluttered home can lead to stress, anxiety, and physical health problems.

We all have the time to make changes, we just need to prioritize our time.

How to get motivated?

What is your goal?

One way to get motivated is to set an achievable goal for yourself. Maybe you want to declutter your entire home, or maybe you just want to tackle one room, a closet or a drawer. Whatever your goal is, write it down and keep it in a visible place. A decluttering plan will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards your goal.

You don’t have to declutter the entire house in one session!

Another way to get motivated is to break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of trying to declutter your whole house in one day, focus on one area at a time.

For example, you could start with your closet, then move on to your kitchen, and so on. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and make the task feel more manageable and achievable.

The importance of decluttering and the benefits

Decluttering your home can be a big unwanted task, but it is an essential step towards leading a more comfortable and organized lifestyle. A cluttered home can drain your energy and affect your overall quality of life.

By decluttering your living spaces, you can create a more comfortable and peaceful environment that promotes relaxation and productivity.

Reduce stress

Decluttering your home has numerous benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, increasing productivity, and improving your overall well-being. A cluttered home can cause stress and anxiety, leading to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

By decluttering your home, you can create a sense of calm and simplicity that can help you feel more relaxed and at ease.

Increase productivity

In addition to reducing stress, decluttering can also increase your productivity. A cluttered home can make it difficult to focus and can lead to procrastination. By decluttering your living spaces, you can create an organized environment that promotes productivity and encourages you to get things done.

Mental and physical well being enhanced

Decluttering your home can also improve your overall well-being. A cluttered home can make it difficult to find things, leading to frustration and wasted time. By decluttering your living spaces, you can create a more organized and efficient environment that saves you time and energy.

I cannot think, let alone work or relax, amidst clutter. Clutter to me is like really loud music tuned to a genre of music I dislike. The visual overload gives me the oogies!

Decluttering your home is a crucial step towards leading a more comfortable and organized lifestyle. By creating a clutter-free clean house, you can reduce stress and anxiety, increase productivity, and improve your overall well-being.

Getting started and setting your goal and vision

Decluttering your home can be a really big deal if you let it. By setting a clear goal and vision you will help yourself to stay motivated throughout the decluttering project. Before you start, take some time to think about why you want to declutter and what you hope to achieve.

Where do you want to start?

Start by identifying the areas of your home that need the most attention. This could be a specific room, closet, or even just a pile of clutter that has been accumulating for months.

Once you have identified the areas that need decluttering, set a realistic goal for each space. For example, you may want to declutter your closet for the sake of efficiency, so that you can easily find your clothes and get dressed in the morning.

What is your end goal?

A great way to start your decluttering journey is to envision what your home will look like once you have decluttered. Imagine the feeling of walking into a clean and organized space, where everything is tucked away orderly and there is no clutter to distract you.

This vision will help keep you motivated throughout the decluttering process.

Vision board

Making a vision board can be really fun and motivating! I have walked many students through this process. Get a poster board and either draw your vision or add pictures you have cut out of catalogs and magazines.

Add all of your favorite things to your poster board using a glue stick or tape, whatever you have around. Visualize what you would like to bring into your life. 

Not necessarily more stuff! Maybe you dream of having a room with white walls and hardwood floors with some cool artwork on the walls and minimal furnishings. Find pictures that speak to you and tack to your vision board. 

Place your vision board where you will regularly view it. This is the simple vision board I made 27 years ago when I was house hunting. I still have this photo hanging today.

I wanted to live on the ocean. Everyone laughed at my dream because I was, and still am, my sole support, making a living as an artist.

I bought my seaside home 28 years ago on a little peninsula with a working lighthouse. The view from my window today looks similiar to the vision I had. I believe in vision boards.

To make a plan for your decluttering journey, break down your goal into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if you want to declutter your closet, you may start by taking everything out and sorting it into piles of discard, donate, and sell items.

Then, you can start organizing the items you want to keep back into the closet.

Decluttering is a transformational process that takes time and effort. Stay focused on your goal and vision, and celebrate each small accomplishment along the way. With a clear plan and vision, you can successfully declutter your home and create a space that brings you joy and peace.

Overcoming overwhelm and laziness

When you have a lot of things to sort through, it’s easy to say you are overwhelmed and put decluttering off for another day. Saying you are overwhelmed sounds like a form of procrastination to me.

However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome these feelings of overwhelm and laziness and start decluttering your home.

One object at a time

Set yourself up for a win! Don’t say you are going to thoroughly declutter your 5 bedroom home in a day if you have a full time work gig and all the other responsibilities most of us have.

If you don’t have much free time and all you can manage to declutter is 1 closet or 1 drawer or even just 1 object, make a plan to do so. Then make a plan to declutter another thing. Every little bit you declutter will make a difference!

If you declutter one object a day for one year you will feel 365 objects lighter in just one year’s time.

This will help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed by the task at hand. The best antidote to despair is action!

Laziness

Another common obstacle to decluttering is laziness. It’s easy to get comfortable with the way things are and to put off making changes. To combat laziness, try setting a specific time each day or week to work on decluttering.

Make your decluttering appointment a non-negotiable commitment to yourself, just like you would with any other important date. 

If you keep doing the same old things you are going to keep getting the same old results! Even procrastinators, by engaging in these easy decluttering motivation tips, can transform piles of stuff into a clutter free environment! 

Decluttering sentimental items is tough

Guilt can be a factor in preventing you from decluttering. You may feel guilty about getting rid of items that have sentimental value or that you spent a lot of money on. These can sound like good reasons to not let go of certain items. They are not.

It’s important to remember that keeping sentimental things around can also be a source of stress and clutter in your home. 

To overcome this guilt, one trick is to take a photo of the item before getting rid of it, or finding a way to repurpose it into something new. Alternately you could sell on Facebook Marketplace or donate to any number of charities.

Letting go

Finally, letting go can be a difficult but necessary part of the decluttering process. It’s important to recognize that holding onto things that no longer serve you can weigh you down and prevent you from moving forward.

Focus on the benefits of decluttering, such as creating more space and reducing stress, rather than on the things you’re letting go of. Consider the things you love that you are keeping, not the things you know are weighing you down that you are discarding.

With the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome feelings of overwhelm and laziness and start decluttering your home today.

Practical tips for decluttering

Decluttering your home can be a huge task in your mind, but with a few practical tips, you can make the process easier and more enjoyable. Enjoyable may be a stretch, although I do love throwing stuff out and organizing!

Tips!

Mindset shift

Make up your mind once and for all you are going to do a great decluttering job, live a simpler life, and not live in a cluttered messy home.

Start small

Begin by decluttering one area, room or object at a time. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and make it easier to see progress.

Get rid of stuff

Be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of things you no longer need or use. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go.

Sort items into categories

As you declutter, sort your items into categories. Grab 3 heavy duty trash bags and label the bags trash, donate and sell. This will make it easier to stay organized and make decisions about what to do with each item.

Use tricks and hacks

There are many tricks and hacks you can use to make decluttering easier. Use a timer to help you stay focused and motivated. Set the timer for however much time you can spend. You will be much more aware of the time and therefore work more efficiently. Schedule your decluttering plan to your calendar and set an alert.

Create a decluttering checklist

Make a list of all the areas you want to declutter, and check them off as you go. This will help you stay on track and motivated.

Take small steps

Decluttering doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing process. Take small steps each day, such as decluttering one drawer or shelf, to make progress over time.

Make decluttering a habit

Decluttering your home is likely not on your list of fun things to do, but it doesn’t have to be this way. By making decluttering a habit, you can keep your home organized and tidy without feeling overwhelmed. When decluttering is a habit you will not even think about it.

More tips!

Laundry

Many people complain about piles of laundry. When I do a load of laundry I wash, dry and put away as one task.

However long it takes for the washer/ dryer to complete the cycles and another few minutes to put the clean stuff where it belongs. No piles. Cross off the to-do list. Laundry does not have to be a big project unless you make it one.

I get that laundry is different for large families than, for example, a single person. Like anything, when a well organized plan is made it really will be simple to orchestrate. It just needs to be amenable to all, scheduled and prioritized.

Schedule time for decluttering

One of the best ways to make decluttering a habit is to schedule time for it. Set aside a specific time to declutter a certain area of your home. This will help you stay on track and make progress towards your decluttering goals.

Incorporate decluttering into your daily routine

Another way to make decluttering a habit is to incorporate it into your daily routine. For example, you could spend 10 minutes each morning decluttering your kitchen counter or 15 minutes each night decluttering your living room.

By making decluttering a part of your daily routine, it will become a natural habit.

Record your progress

Keeping track of your progress can be a great motivator to continue decluttering. Create a record of the areas you’ve decluttered and the items you’ve gotten rid of. This will help you see how far you’ve come and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Create productive routines

Creating productive routines can also help you make decluttering a habit. For example, you could create a routine where you sort through one area of your home each week. This will help you stay focused and make progress towards your decluttering goals.

With a bit of planning you can make decluttering a habit and keep your home organized and tidy. It takes a little time to develop a habit, so be patient and consistent with your efforts.

Staying motivated throughout the decluttering process

It is essential to stay motivated for a more organized and stress-free life. This can be particularly challenging because, again, it may not be your first choice to spend your time decluttering.

Stay motivated and on track

Set small goals and rewards

Breaking down the decluttering process into smaller, manageable goals can help you stay motivated. Set achievable goals for each room or area of your home and reward yourself when you complete them.

The rewards don’t have to be extravagant; they can be as simple as treating yourself to a walk, your favorite snack, a good book or taking a relaxing bubble bath.

Find an Accountability Partner

The best way I know to stay on track is to have an accountability partner. This can help you stay motivated, on track and committed to your time table..

Choose someone who is supportive and can hold you accountable for your progress. Share your goals with them and ask them to check in with you regularly or commit to checking in with them. Knowing that someone else is counting on you can be a powerful motivator.

Build momentum

Starting the decluttering process can be the hardest part. Once you get started, it’s essential to build momentum to keep going.

Start with an easy task, such as decluttering a drawer, a small closet or one object. Once you complete one task, move on to the next. The sense of accomplishment will help you stay motivated and keep you going.

Make decluttering fun!

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore. Make it fun by turning it into a game or a party. Invite friends over to help you declutter and reward yourselves with pizza or ice cream.

You can also turn on some music and dance while you declutter. Making it fun can help you stay motivated and make the process more enjoyable.

Decluttering is a process, and it’s okay to take breaks and go at your own pace. Stay motivated by setting small goals, finding an accountability partner, building momentum, and making it fun. By putting these tips into action, you’ll be on your way to a decluttered home.

Dealing with special cases | hoarders and large spaces

If you are dealing with hoarders or large spaces, decluttering can be a challenging and overwhelming task, though not impossible. With the right mindset and approach, you can tackle even the biggest project and achieve your decluttering goals.

Hoarders

If you or someone you know is a hoarder, decluttering can be a difficult and emotional process. Hoarding is a complex issue that requires a sensitive and compassionate approach. Here are some tips to help you deal with hoarders.

Be patient and understanding. Hoarding is a mental health issue, and it takes time and effort to overcome it.

Start small. Focus on one area at a time, and gradually work your way through the clutter.

Get professional help. Consider hiring a therapist or a professional organizer who specializes in hoarding. International OCD Foundation is a well known resource for hoarding issues. 

Large spaces

If you have a large space to declutter, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Break it down into smaller areas. Divide the space into manageable sections, and tackle one small task at a time.

Use the 3 bag method. Label three heavy duty black contractors trash bags as trash, donate, sell, and sort your items accordingly.

Set a deadline. Give yourself a realistic deadline to complete the project, and stick to it.

Decluttering can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with hoarders or large spaces. However, with the right mindset and approach, you can overcome these challenges and achieve your decluttering goals.

The joy and benefits of a decluttered home

Congratulations! You’ve successfully decluttered your home and created a clean and more organized home. You may already be feeling the benefits of your hard work, but let’s take a moment to reflect on the joy and benefits of a decluttered home.

Joy and peace

First and foremost, a decluttered home can bring a sense of joy and peace. You’ll no longer be weighed down by excess stuff and can enjoy a more simplified and streamlined lifestyle.

You’ll have more space to move around and breathe, and your home will feel more open and inviting.

Finances

In addition to the emotional benefits, decluttering can also have a positive impact on your finances. By selling or donating items you no longer need, you can potentially make some extra money or receive tax deductions.

You’ll also save money by not buying unnecessary items and by having a better understanding of what you already own.

Productivity boost!

Decluttering can also boost your energy levels and productivity. A clean and organized home can help you feel more focused and motivated, and you’ll spend less time searching for lost items.

You’ll have more time and energy to focus on the things that matter most to you.

Overall, a decluttered home can lead to a more comfortable and simplified lifestyle which leads to peace of mind.. You’ll have less stress and more time to enjoy the things you love.

So keep up the good work and enjoy your newly decluttered home and lifestyle!

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

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