Dana embarked on a mission to declutter her home during the past winter and spring seasons. Her vision was a space adorned with clean countertops, uncluttered
closets, and a living room devoid of unnecessary knick-knacks. Despite numerous attempts, she found herself overwhelmed and unable to make significant progress.
Feeling defeated by clutter is a common struggle shared by many. Often, we start with zeal but get bogged down by the enormity of the task at hand.
Here are some strategies I shared with Dana to help her regain control, find motivation, and finally achieve the organized home she desired:
1. Start Small: Breaking down the decluttering process into smaller, manageable tasks is key. Instead of
attempting to tackle everything at once, begin with a single drawer, shelf, or corner of a room.
Completing a small area can provide a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to continue.
Set goals that are attainable within a short session.
I like to take large goals and break
them down into 15-minute projects that I can complete from start to finish.
2. Declutter; Don't Just Shuffle: Moving items from one area to another without making decisions isn't decluttering—it's just relocating clutter.
When decluttering, commit to making decisions about each item: keep, donate, or discard. Avoid the temptation to delay decisions for later.
Also, when in the process of decluttering, the volume of the items to be donated or discarded should be much larger than those you're keeping.
Even if it requires you making more trips to the donation center or your outdoor trash bin, be
sure you move these items out of your house as quickly as possible. The longer they're in your house, the bigger the chance they're going to stay there for a long time.
3. Visualize the End Result: Keeping your ultimate goal in mind is crucial. Visualize how you want your space to look and feel once it's
organized.
Envision the peace and satisfaction of living in a clutter-free environment. This mental image can serve as a powerful motivator during challenging times, keeping you focused and determined.
4. Don't Focus on Storage Yet: During the decluttering process, resist the urge to focus on storage solutions. Instead, keep your mind zoned in on decluttering itself.
Trying to organize before decluttering can complicate the process and create more clutter in the long run. Focus on streamlining your possessions first.
5. Be Patient and Celebrate Small Wins: Understand that organizing your entire home is a big project that takes time. Don't
expect instant results. Focus on one small project at a time and celebrate your progress after each one.
Over time, you'll begin to see the fruit of your efforts which will further motivate you to continue.
With patience, persistence, and the right strategies, anyone feeling overwhelmed can take a step back, along with a deep breath, and slowly create and maintain the organized, peaceful home they desire.
P.S. Looking for help in your journey to a clutter-free life? Discover everything you need in my resource, Goodbye
Clutter 
