Why People Fail at Decluttering & How You Can Succeed

If you’re planning to move or renovate in the near future, you might find yourself thinking “this is a great time to get rid of some of our stuff!” Decluttering reduces the amount of items you need to pack and it also makes space for the life you’re currently living. Before you pack up for a move, stage your home to sell, or even prepare for a renovation, it pays to have a plan that doesn’t leave you ripping your hair out. Getting organized is almost always the first step toward calm and clarity.

The Most Common Reason People Fail at Decluttering

In my experience as a professional organizer, the most common reason people don’t succeed when they start to declutter is fear. They fear that they will need this item later and won’t be able to find it. They fear that the friend or relative who gifted them the item will be offended. They fear that their child will grow up and ask where that one special project went and they’ll have recycled it decades ago. I have one big tip that helps in all these situations.

The Top Consideration for Decluttering that Lasts

Instead of fearing what you might lose when you let items go out of your life, you need to turn the tables. Instead, ask yourself what are you missing out on because all that stuff is taking up so much space? Your stuff isn’t just taking space, it’s also taking time and energy. Managing lots of extra stuff puts pressure on relationships and limits the possibilities for how you’ll use the space in the future. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that most things deteriorate over time. So that leather jacket (that doesn’t fit any more) that you store for 20 years in a plastic bin in the garage will actually begin to fall apart and not be useful to anyone. If you had donated that jacket earlier on, someone else would’ve had the opportunity to enjoy it before its useful life was over. Instead of thinking what you might miss by letting things go, start imagining what good things could come into your life because of the space and the time and mental energy you are releasing when you declutter.

The Best Ways to Tackle Clutter Once and For All

Make the big picture decisions first. Decide in advance how much space each category is allowed to have in your home. Start with a general decision making framework like limits on the amount of space you have to store sentimental items or limits around the number of clothing items you actually wear and enjoy. Get out of your space and write down a number—how much would actually be enough? Then edit down to that instead of looking at each and every individual item and saying “could I use this?” We can usually find a way to justify keeping things we don’t use or need. When you look at decluttering as one item at a time, it becomes overwhelming. Instead, set the limit first. Then, you can assess whether each item is working for you, or whether it’s costing you more management time and stress. Once you’ve established these limits, be sure you maintain them with a one-in-one-out policy or a seasonal clear-out to keep your space in order.

If you need some help figuring out your decision-making framework for decluttering, I am available to work with you in your home or virtually via zoom. We can meet and discuss your family’s unique needs and I’ll help coach you toward an action plan that makes the most sense for you. If we’re working virtually, I can provide scheduled accountability check ins. And if I’m working with you in person, I can take items to donate or recycle on your behalf. This significantly limits your fatigue and fast tracks your home into a place that serves you well now. Whether you’re preparing to move, renovate, or just want to declutter, let’s get it done! Your home isn’t a museum, it’s a place to live your life , let’s free up some space together!

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Cheers,

Karina