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Why is clutter overwhelming?
Clutter can feel overwhelming for many reasons. It can make your home feel chaotic and stressful. Too much clutter can make it hard to find things when you need them. It can also prevent you from using spaces in your home effectively. Clutter builds up over time and it’s easy to feel like you don’t know where to start to get organized.
Clutter reduces productivity
Having to constantly move things out of the way or search for items buried under clutter decreases productivity. The visual distraction makes it hard to concentrate. You waste time looking for things that should have a designated spot. With surfaces covered in clutter, there is no space to complete tasks efficiently.
Clutter creates stress
Clutter around the home can overstimulate our senses. Too much visual clutter and disorder bombard the mind with excessive stimuli. This creates a feeling of chaos that increases stress and anxiety for many people. Stress then makes it harder to get motivated to start decluttering.
Clutter blocks creativity
Clutter can block creativity and inspiration. Too much disorder makes it hard for ideas to emerge. Clean flat surfaces allow space for creative thinking and new projects. Less clutter can help spark innovation.
Where to start decluttering
When faced with overwhelming clutter, it’s important to resist the urge to try to tackle everything at once. Attempting that is likely to burn you out fast. Instead, take on clutter bit by bit with a systematic approach.
Pick a small area
Start by picking a small area or category to focus on first. This should be something that seems manageable. For example, start with just a drawer, shelf, or corner. Or pick one category like papers, books, or clothing. Setting a timer for 15 or 30 minutes can help so you don’t spend too long on one area.
Make quick decisions
Go through the items and make quick decisions about what to do with each one. Having a trash bag, recycling bin, and donate box nearby can help. Anything you’re unsure about can go into a maybe pile or bin to decide later. The key is to not deliberate long over each item.
Stay focused
It’s important not to get derailed into other areas. Removing clutter takes persistence. If you keep redirecting your effort, you’ll likely just move clutter around rather than reducing it.
Dealing with paper clutter
Paper clutter like mail, documents, receipts and notes is common. But all that paper can really build up and feel chaotic. Here are some tips for tackling paper clutter:
Sort papers daily
Make time daily to sort through any new papers. Don’t let them pile up. Sort papers into action piles like bills to pay, items to file, things to read later and trash.
File immediately
Get into the habit of filing papers right away so they don’t pile up. Use simple filing systems so papers are easy to find later.
Unsubscribe from junk mail
Reduce the amount of papers coming in by calling companies to remove you from mailing lists. Or look for unsubscribe links in emails.
Scan and digitize
Use a scanner app to digitize documents for electronic storage. This reduces physical paper clutter.
Organizing closet clutter
For many, closets easily become jam-packed and cluttered. Clothes and shoes pushed in until the doors barely shut. Use these methods to tame closet chaos:
Remove excess clothes
Be honest about what you actually wear. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, toss or donate it. Make space by removing what you don’t need.
Use storage bins
Use inexpensive storage bins to corral shoes, accessories, purses and seasonal clothes. Label the bins so items get put back properly.
Install closet organizers
Consider installing closet organizing systems with shelves, bars and drawers customized to your space. This provides a spot for everything.
Purge often
Make clearing closet clutter a regular habit. Set reminders to purge excess seasonally – like before summer and winter.
Letting go of clutter
It’s emotionally difficult for many people to let go of items, even clutter. Here are some tips for overcoming that obstacles:
Start small
Build momentum by starting with a few quick, easy decluttering wins. Letting go gets easier with practice.
Limit space
If you have room for excess, it’s too tempting to keep unnecessary items. Limit storage space to force decluttering.
Consider why you’re holding on
Look inward to understand the root cause of why you struggle to release clutter. Fear of waste? Sentimentality? Identify it, then reframe.
Focus on benefits
Remind yourself of all the positive reasons to declutter – reduced stress, clear space, improved concentration. The benefits outweigh clinging to clutter.
Maintaining an organized home
The work doesn’t end after decluttering. Maintaining an organized space long-term takes effort. But you can make it easier and more natural.
Keep surfaces clear
Make a habit of clearing kitchen counters, coffee tables, dressers and other surfaces completely each evening. Start each day with a blank slate.
Put things back immediately
Train yourself to put items back in their designated spot as soon as you’re done with them. Don’t let things pile up where they don’t belong.
Do quick daily tidy ups
Spend 10 minutes each day quickly tidying, decluttering and putting things back in place. Do this as part of your morning or evening routine.
Purge regularly
Continue to clear excess on an ongoing basis. Review different areas monthly for anything no longer needed.
Getting other’s clutter under control
If you share space with others, you may be dealing with their clutter too. Tackling communal areas when others are messy can be extra challenging.
Communicate about clutter
Have open conversations about how clutter affects shared spaces. Get everyone on board about the benefits of decluttering.
Lead by example
Demonstrate keeping your own spaces organized. People are more likely to mirror good habits when they see them modeled.
Give everyone a space
Define storage areas for each person so everyone has a place for their stuff. This makes it clear whose clutter is whose.
Schedule decluttering sessions
Make decluttering communal spaces a recurring team effort by scheduling time for it. Provide snacks to make it positive.
When to get professional help
Severe clutter may require getting professional organizing help. Consider hiring a professional organizer if:
– Clutter is causing significant stress and dysfunction.
– It feels too overwhelming to tackle alone.
– Chronic disorganization is rooted in a mental health issue.
– Dangerous unsanitary conditions are developing.
– Hoarding behaviors are worsening over time.
The investment can be worth it. An experienced professional can help form new habits and systems to manage clutter long-term.
Conclusion
When clutter gets out of control, it’s vital to take that first step forward. Start small with quick daily decluttering sessions. Focus on one area or category at a time without getting sidetracked. Be consistent, and don’t get discouraged by the size of the task. Remind yourself of the many benefits to decluttering to stay motivated. Over time, the decluttering actions will snowball, and you’ll regain control of your space. Implement routines to keep your home neat. Bring in help if you need to. With regular, persistent effort decluttering and organizing your home is very possible. Just tackle it one step at a time.