How to Declutter When You’re Embarrassed And Overwhelmed

Are you overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Do the stacks of paper on your dining room table make you want to rip your hair out? Is the toy clutter making you stressed and unhappy?

If you are drowning in clutter and literally don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

I know exactly how you feel.  When we first moved into my late mother’s home 3 years ago, our house was bursting at the seams. 😱 I was stressed out, burdened, and paralyzed.

But eventually, I was able to beat the overwhelm and start decluttering one space at a time.  

Learning how to declutter changed my life and it can change yours too! Even if you have so much clutter that you aren’t sure where to start.

This post is all about what it takes to get started decluttering. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to move past the overwhelm and recognize that decluttering doesn’t have to be some big, daunting project.

So are you ready to get started?!

Let’s go!

Wondering where you should start decluttering?  Take the Where Should You Start Decluttering Quiz so you can find out exactly where you should start in your home. 👇

Step #1 – Choose An Area to Start With

The first step to decluttering when you’re completely overwhelmed is to choose an area to start with.

I always recommend starting in the bathroom! Most of the items in your bathroom are easy things to get rid of, so you can make quick decisions.

And since most bathrooms are on the smaller side, you can declutter the entire space in a few days. Seeing the transformation will give you the momentum to keep going.

Some other good-starting points include

• Cleaning supplies
• Linen closet
• Spice cabinet
• Junk Drawers

Choose an area and stick with it!  And then move on to the next step.

If you’re still having trouble deciding, choose any smaller area in your home that is cluttered and interferring with your daily life.  This could be a space that you use on a daily basis that drives you up the wall with irritation. 

Note – you want to focus on just one space at a time. 

Related Post:  11 Creative Ways to Get Rid of the Clutter

Step #2 – Gather The Necessary Supplies

When you’re overwhelmed by your clutter, you want to tackle each and every step before you move on to the next one.

Once you’ve chosen a starting point, the next step is to gather any supplies you will need:

– Dark trash bags

Black or dark trash bags, as opposed to white or clear, are a better fit when it comes to decluttering so you can’t see what you’ve thrown away.

– Empty boxes

Avoid using boxes that you want to keep, so you won’t have to go back through them a second time (and run the risk of changing your mind on items you had originally decided to part with).

– Moving labels or masking tape

If you have a large project, moving labels might be helpful to differentiate multiple categories.  Or you can just use permanent markers and masking tape

– Gloves and cleaning supplies

If you’re decluttering an area of your home that hasn’t been touched in a while, make sure you have cleaning supplies on hand.

Resist the urge to buy storage solutions at this point!

A common mistake that I see people make is confusing decluttering with organizing. But they are two entirely different situations and should be treated as such.

First, you declutter.  And then, you organize. 

When you have finished getting rid of your clutter, you can focus on getting organized and buying storage solutions.

So for now, run to the dollar store and buy only the items you need specifically to declutter.

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Step #3 – Decide HOW YOU WILL DECLUTTER

The next step is to choose a decluttering method that will work for you.

There are many different methods you can choose from, so for now, I will just go over the 3 main methods.

• Declutter by category – books, clothes, etc. (This is how Marie Kondo teaches.)
• Declutter by room – where you finish an entire room before moving on to the next room.
• Focusing on small spaces in short bursts of time – setting a timer for 15 minutes and decluttering one pile, one drawer, or one piece of furniture.

Each of the above decluttering methods have pros and cons, and the one that you choose will be largely dependent upon the amount of clutter you have, how overwhelmed you feel, and your specific lifestyle.

As a mom of 4, when I first started decluttering, I didn’t have the time or energy to declutter a large space in one sitting.  So I chose to declutter for 15 minutes a day, every day.  Tackling a pile here and a drawer there led to big results over time!

Don’t GET STUCK HERE!

If you are having trouble deciding which method to follow, I recommend decluttering for 15 minutes a day. There are no piles, no messes, and no deciding what to keep.

For example, let’s say you’re decluttering your junk drawer. You probably feel overwhelmed at the thought of emptying the drawer, dividing everything into piles, and then having to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.

And I don’t blame you because that’s a lot to deal with! So instead, take all those steps out of the equation and just get rid of stuff.

When you declutter that junk drawer, set a timer for 15 minutes. And then dig through the drawer and quickly find items you know you can get rid of.

When the timer goes off, finish for the day. And then tomorrow, you find stuff to get rid of from another space in your home.

This method allows you to get used to getting rid of things, so decluttering becomes easier over time!

Related Post:  The Four Categories of Clutter

Step #4 – REMOVE BARRIERS

Seek out the obstacles and barriers that tend to stand in your way.

You might still be overwhelmed, or maybe you’re unmotivated or unsure what to do with your unwanted items,

If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to start, create a plan-of-action for your home. Consider the type of home you want to cultivate for your family in the long-term and discuss this with your spouse. This will help you beat the overwhelm because you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re aiming for.

Once you have a plan in place, you won’t have a reason to be overwhelmed.

To create a declutter plan:

– Tell your spouse, roommate, or your family members what you’re going to do

First, you’ll want to tell your spouse, children, or anyone else you live with what you’re going to be doing because they will hold you more accountable. When you’re overwhelmed by your clutter, it can be very helpful to have someone hold you accountable!

– Decide what you’re going to do with your unwanted items

You also need to have a plan for your unwanted items so they don’t end up in a closet or your garage.

Having a plan for your unwanted items is extremely important when it comes to decluttering!

The goal here is to actually get the items out of your house.  The last thing you want is a bunch of overfull boxes sitting around, taking up space.  

Don’t wait to figure it out.  Do it right now!

For unwanted items, you can:

There are multiple options for getting rid of your unwanted items, but don’t let that overwhelm you.  It’s mostly a matter of preference.

– Host a garage sale

If you plan to have a garage sale, price your items AS YOU DECLUTTER.  This will save you so much time down the road! 

– Sell your decluttered items online

Selling your unwanted items online is one way to get the clutter out of your house, but I recommend following a couple of guidelines. Check out this post for more information on selling your clutter online.

• Classifieds such as Craigslist
• Marketplaces like Facebook or Ebay
• Apps like Poshmark or ThredUp

– Donate

• Homeless shelters
• Donation centers like Goodwill or The Salvation Army
• Dress for Success (for female business attire)
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (for appliances, furniture, household goods, and building materials)
• Ebay giving Works
• Schedule a donation pickup

Choose the option that is best suited for your needs. But make sure you have a plan in place so you are able to actually get the items out of your house.

If you’re having a hard time trying to figure out where to donate in your area, ask your friends or neighbors what they do with their unwanted items.

If you’re unmotivated:

– Find a way to get interested in decluttering

Think about the benefits that will come from having a clutter-free home. How will you feel? What will you have space for that you don’t have space for now?

When I first started decluttering my garage, I visualized having space for our air hockey table that had been dismantled for years. Every time I thought about decluttering the garage, I pictured that air hockey table.

If you’re short on time:

– Prioritize daily declutter sessions

I certainly understand not having time for a big declutter project.  And that’s exactly why daily declutter sessions – for 15 minutes at a time – is the way to go!

You can even bring a small pile or box over to the couch with you at the end of the night so you can sort through it while you watch TV.

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Step #5 – COMMIT

Decluttering might seem overwhelming, but it is 100% possible.

And it starts with you!

So commit to getting started. Start small if you need to, or go all in if you have the time.

However you choose to do it, commit to being a strong finisher.

There will be times when you don’t feel like decluttering. And there will be days, weeks, or months that go by where life gets in the way and you fall off track.

It’s okay to fall off track, but be sure to pick back up again! Don’t let your mistakes keep you from finishing.

Take a stand for yourself, your children, and your family. Choose to get rid of your clutter and then commit to being a strong finisher!

RELATED POST:  HOW TO SELL YOUR CLUTTER ONLINE

HERE’S WHAT TO DO NEXT

When you’re overwhelmed by your clutter, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. But don’t let the overwhelming feelings paralyze you!

By following these steps, you can beat the overwhelm and conquer your clutter, one space at a time!

Here are the action steps:

• Choose a space to start with
• Make sure you have any necessary supplies
• Decide how you will declutter (the method you will follow)
• Remove any potential barriers or obstacles
• Commit to getting started  

Don’t worry about what you’re going to do with the items you want to keep. Don’t worry about making a bigger mess, and don’t think about your house as a whole.

Just focus on getting rid of stuff, one step at a time!

Now, if you’re still confused on where you should start in your own home, take the Where Should You Start Decluttering? Quiz below. 👇

In less than 5 minutes, you can receive a personalized decluttering plan that is based on your specific answers.  Stop wasting hours on decluttering strategies that don’t work and take the free quiz instead. 

Related posts:

How to Declutter all Those Paper Piles

Stop Procrastinating and Start Decluttering

11 Creative Ways to Get Rid of the Clutter

How to Schedule a Donation Pickup

How to Sell Your Clutter Online for Extra Cash

The Four Categories of Clutter

How to Declutter Your Home One Step at a TIme