Before You Begin Clearing Clutter From Your Home – Start Here

There are so many reasons for clearing clutter from your home. But the thought of actually doing the work to declutter or trying to figure out where to even start has you procrastinating once again.

At the same time, the fact that you are reading this tells me you want to do the work! Something is making you realize you need to do this.

Maybe you’re just tired of feeling overwhelmed by your home. Or maybe the physical clutter is bringing up a lot of emotions and the thought of decluttering is causing you to feel anxious. Or, perhaps you’re tired of spending hours cleaning just to feel like the house is a disaster 10 seconds later and you know there’s just too much stuff.

I get it, and to be honest, nothing sends me into procrastination mode faster than feeling totally and completely overwhelmed. I either find 20 other less important things to do or end up on the couch scrolling through Pinterest or Facebook

Of course, the end result is more tasks piled on top of an already overwhelming pile that becomes even more overwhelming. It’s a cycle that leads to spiraling very fast.
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Even if you’re not feeling completely overwhelmed by clutter chances are there’s an area of your home (or maybe a few areas) where clutter just seems to migrate. At my house, it’s the area next to the front door. Sometimes it still migrates to the dining room table.

Either way, it’s time to start clearing clutter from your home. Sound good? So, where should you begin?

The Fundamentals Before You Begin Clearing Clutter

Before you actually start the decluttering process there are a few things to keep in mind. This includes making sure you have the right mindset, writing out some goals and a plan of attack, setting aside the time to do the work, and creating the right habits. 

Deal With Your Mindset

Far too often we put off decluttering because we get in our heads. We build mountains out of molehills in our minds. The less you think about how overwhelming decluttering your home might be and just jump in, the easier it’s going to be.

The truth is once you stop building up in your mind how hard decluttering will be, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can declutter what you thought would take forever.

If this is a big struggle for you, here are some tips for overcoming those mindsets causing you to struggle.

Write Out Your Decluttering Goals For Your Home

I’m a big advocate for both setting and writing out goals and it’s no different when it comes to your home!

Having clearly defined goals for decluttering and for your home, in general, will keep you focused and moving forward. Decluttering goals also keep you organized.

Start by thinking through what you want to achieve as well as why. This way you will be clear on what you want to accomplish and be able to visualize having a home you love!

We often want to jump right into the decluttering process as soon as we feel motivated to tackle our clutter. But by taking the time to write out your goals for decluttering you are far more likely to be successful in clearing the clutter from your home!

Next, write down why you want to declutter your home. How will clearing clutter from your home impact your life? What does having a home you love, look like?

Doing this will keep you motivated, guide you in making those tuff decisions of what to keep and what to get rid of, and allow you to stay clutter-free.

Set Aside Specific Time to Declutter

When it comes to clearing the clutter from your home one of the biggest struggles is feeling like you just don’t have the time! This is especially true if you have not been regularly decluttering.

However, when you have a pre-set time set aside for decluttering projects, you don’t have to “find the time”, it’s already been set aside.

By setting aside this time you can treat decluttering like any other important appointment. And, let’s face it, getting rid of clutter from your home is important!

Create a Plan for Clearing Clutter

How many times have you told yourself “I”m going to try and ‘get to’ decluttering out the closet this weekend”? The weekend comes and goes and the closet was never touched. Well, let me tell you, you’re not alone. This is what happens when don’t have a plan for clearing the clutter.

Before you ever start decluttering it is best to have a plan in place. Yes, this is an extra step, but I promise you it’s worth it!

Plan out how and where you’ll declutter. Going from room to room with no plan is a guaranteed way to burn out and not finish.

Start by going back to the goals you set for your home. What is the vision for your home? Think through what actually belongs in that space that would allow you to use it the way you envision.

Next, it’s time to get practical, think through what room or objects you’ll begin decluttering. You’ll want to know when you will do your decluttering. You will also want to have a plan for what you’ll do with the stuff you’re getting rid of?

Having a plan in place will not only help you get going but will also keep you going. If you get off track your plan is right there to get you back to it!

Focus on Clearing Clutter From One Specific Area or Item

When we think in terms of decluttering our entire homes, this is when decluttering feels overwhelming. However, by breaking the tasks into specific areas of your home or a specific type of item it becomes much more manageable.

I have a weekly cleaning schedule that I follow where I focus on cleaning one room each day of the week. For example, on Tuesdays, I clean the bedroom. This way I am not spending hours and hours cleaning on any one day.

You can do the same thing with decluttering. Just add a simple decluttering task to the end or beginning of your cleaning task. So on bedroom day, I will add decluttering the t-shirt drawer or jewelry or even the top of the dressers.

Having a set-aside day for decluttering tasks makes decluttering much more manageable.

You can also choose a designated area or type of item that will be organized monthly. This would be something like the linen closet or pantry. Then add in decluttering tasks by season. Think of outdoor toys or sporting equipment in the summer, decorations in the fall, winter items at the start or end of the season.

This allows you to keep a handle on clearing clutter and prevents it from becoming overwhelming!

Calendar Your Decluttering Tasks

Now that you’ve set aside time for decluttering and have a plan for where and when you’ll declutter, make sure you execute your plan by writing it in your calendar!

The number one reason we fail to follow through with clearing clutter from our homes is that we don’t treat it like it’s important. It’s an afterthought or something we get to when we have “extra time”.

But, when you make an actual decluttering appointment with yourself that will all change. You have to remember that having a home you love is important and clearing the clutter is the first step to achieving that!

Writing out an actual decluttering appointment in your calendar will help you treat it as important as any other appointment you may have!

Use Checklists

Checklists help you keep track of tasks and other things you need to remember.

You can create your own or use one that’s already done for you. A good place to start is with the free Master Decluttering Checklist, just click the link above!

Check off each decluttering to-do as you accomplish it. There is something very satisfying about checking off those boxes, it does help keep your going as you visually see all you’re accomplishing.

Create Daily Habits for Clearing Clutter From Your Home

Creating good habits is the key to success in any area of your life!

Clearing clutter from your home is never a one-and-done thing. Without the right habits in place, before you know it, the clutter will creep back in.

An organized clutter-free home is the result of daily habits. It starts by making a daily commitment to following these tips. As you do, it will become second nature. You may also want to check out this article with 8 habits you need for a clutter-free home.

Clearing clutter from your home becomes much simpler when you start with these 8 steps. They will help the declutter process feel less overwhelming.

Once you’re ready to start the decluttering process these tips will have you decluttering like a pro!