As a busy mother of 4, I’m no stranger to stress. With a loaded schedule and a to-do list that only seems to get longer, a cluttered home can feel overwhelming. I know this time is fleeting, but my inner Virgo is dying for relief and there’s no denying the toll on your overall health and wellness a messy home can have. While I’ve learned to accept that as a mom, messes will happen (even right after I cleaned the last one), I’ve also discovered other ways to help my mind feel more relaxed.
Truthfully, sometimes I feel like the only cure is a day of zero interruption and no brain use, but we all know that’s not gonna happen. A good decluttering session, on the other hand, is a more realistic solution, and one that instantly makes me feel less overwhelmed. I know it sounds like you’re only adding more to your to-do list, but the hardest part of the decluttering process is getting started. So, today I’m sharing a guide on how to get started, even when it feels like a total mountain. Let’s dive in and tackle that clutter together!
How To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed
Step 1: Shift your mindset.
I put a lot of time and effort into maintaining our home, so any tasks outside of my current rituals feel insurmountable. But, as I’ve learned through raising my kids, mindset is everything. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a way to create a picture-perfect living space, view it as a way to create a home that promotes well-being and that best serves you and your family. Remember to romanticize the mundane, because believe me, a simple mindset shift can work wonders for your motivation.
Step 2: Take five minutes.
When you decide to start decluttering, you will naturally focus on the most cluttered areas of your home. I’m all for dreaming big, but narrowing your focus is SO much better for finding the motivation to keep going. Instead of trying to tackle an entire room from the get-go, set a timer for 5 minutes and work on decluttering one small space. Chances are, when the timer goes off, you’ll feel inspired to continue.
Step 3: Decide on a decluttering method.
Decluttering doesn’t mean just getting rid of as many things as possible. It’s about finding a way to better organize your home and your things. The right decluttering method will get you on the right track and make it easier to sort through the items overwhelming your space, as well as create a system that works for your lifestyle. It’s not about tossing everything in sight it’s about being intentional with what you keep and how you store it.
The “one less” method is great when you’re just getting started. When you “choose less,” whether it’s a pair of leggings in your closet or a toy in the toy box, you’re making a conscious effort to declutter your home.
There’s also the “trash, donate, keep” method, where you sort items into three categories:
- Trash: Anything that is broken, expired, or unusable
- Donate: Items in good condition that no longer serve your family
- Keep: Only the things your family truly needs, uses, or loves.
Step 4: Make it a habit.
Just like with keeping your home clean and tidy, consistency is key to decluttering. Once you’ve started, make it a habit to avoid becoming overwhelmed by clutter again in the future. We can all commit to spending 10 minutes a day decluttering or focusing on one small space per week. You could also incorporate a Sunday reset routine to wrap up each week and start fresh.
Step 5: Get your family involved.
Chances are, you aren’t solely responsible for the clutter in your home, so you shouldn’t have to be the only one working to remedy it either. Enlist the help of family members to make things easier. Assign age-appropriate chores that allow the whole family to contribute. The less time you have to spend cleaning up each day, the more time you have to relax and enjoy time with each other.
Step 6: Follow the one-in, one-out rule to prevent clutter.
The more stuff you have, the easier it is for clutter to appear. To prevent new clutter, follow the one-in, one-out rule, which states that for every new item you bring into your home, one item must be removed. Follow this rule to keep things in check and decrease the likelihood of future clutter.
Where To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed
Even in moments when you feel especially motivated and inspired to declutter, it can be hard to know where to start. I want you to know this: it’s OK to start small, because at least you’re getting started! Think of smaller areas in your home that tend to quickly accumulate clutter like the kitchen counter, nightstand, or junk drawer and start there. You can also start with one of the high-impact areas, like your entryway or your workspace. Decluttering even a small space can help you feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to continue.
It’s time to reclaim your space and your well-being and make room for what really matters.
Motherhood is stressful enough; don’t let clutter be the thing that pushes you to your breaking point. Even the most overwhelmed moms can tackle clutter with small, manageable steps and the right mindset. Start today, start small just get started!
Soon enough, you’ll notice your home becoming one that promotes wellness rather than feelings of overwhelm. Take it one step (or one small space) at a time. You got this!
Once you get started, be sure to follow these tips for decluttering your home to make the most of each tidying session. And, stay tuned on my blog and Instagram for more helpful posts on anything from home styling to the best beauty products to parenting hacks. See you there!
