Okay, let’s be real: decluttering is not anyone’s idea of a good time. You stand there in a closet full of chaos, staring at a pile of random junk you forgot you even owned, and wonder, “How did it get this bad?!”.
While decluttering should make you feel lighter, more organized, and a little less stressed, sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be.
If you’re here, I’m assuming you’re ready to tackle this project but don’t want to mess it up. I mean, who wants to spend hours sorting through stuff only to feel defeated? No one.
So, let me (your self-proclaimed decluttering buddy) walk you through 7 things you absolutely should NOT do when decluttering, plus share a few tips to stay sane in the process!
1. Don’t Start Without a Plan
I’ll admit it: I’m guilty of this one. You get all hyped up to “clean everything,” and next thing you know, you’re surrounded by mountains of stuff half of it on your bed and suddenly you’re overwhelmed. Been there? Same.
Here’s why a plan matters:
- Without a plan, you’ll hop from one room to another without finishing anything.
- You’re more likely to keep random junk because you’ll reach that “ugh, I can’t deal with this anymore” stage.
- You’ll waste hours.
What should you do instead? Start small, like one drawer or one shelf. Set realistic goals, don’t decide to tackle the entire garage in a single afternoon unless you want a meltdown at 4 PM. Pro tip? Use a timer. Decluttering for a focused 30 minutes feels way less intimidating than “all day.”
2. Don’t Keep Stuff Out of Guilt
Raise your hand if you’ve ever kept something because you “might need it someday.” Or, worse, because your grandma gave it to you 15 years ago, and it’s been sitting in a box ever since. Yup, I see you.
Here’s what I learned the hard way: keeping stuff out of guilt doesn’t bring value to your life. It just means you’re holding onto things that take up space, both in your home and your brain.
Ask yourself this:
- Does this item genuinely make me happy or serve a purpose?
- If I didn’t have it, would I even notice?
- Am I keeping this because I’m afraid of hurting someone’s feelings?
FYI: It’s okay to let go of sentimental items. Seriously. Take a photo of them if you want a memory, then pass them along to someone else who’ll actually use or enjoy them. (And, no, your grandma doesn’t need to know you donated that ugly vase she gave you. 😉)
3. Don’t Try to Declutter Someone Else’s Stuff
This one should probably come with a neon warning sign: Do. Not. Touch. Other. People’s. Stuff.
Let me say it louder for the people in the back, decluttering someone else’s belongings is a fast track to arguments and resentment.
Trust me, I decided once that my partner’s drawer full of random cables “had to go.” Let’s just say they didn’t appreciate me tossing their beloved, useless cords.
Stick to decluttering your own stuff unless the other person has specifically asked for your help. And even then, tread lightly. They might cherish that broken coffee mug for reasons you’ll never understand!
4. Don’t Multitask
Decluttering while watching Netflix? Sounds harmless, right? Wrong. Multitasking = distraction city. If you’re half paying attention to your stuff and half watching your favorite show, guess what happens? You’ll start cutting corners and second-guessing decisions.
Be present during the decluttering process, it’ll go a lot faster, and you’ll make better choices. Need motivation? Blast your favorite playlist or podcast. It’s way more productive than rewatching Friends for the 300th time, trust me.
5. Don’t Forget to Have a System
Here’s the deal: randomly throwing things into trash bags isn’t decluttering. It’s chaos. Without a system, you’ll end up donating things you wanted to keep or (gulp) keeping things you absolutely should have tossed.
The solution? Use the “Three Pile Method” (a game-changer):
- Keep: Things you actually love or use frequently.
- Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that someone else could use.
- Trash: Broken, useless items that need to go.
Oh, and here’s a bonus tip: actually deal with the piles immediately. Don’t stick the donation box in your trunk for six months like I did. Take it to the donation center within a day or two, so it’s gone for good.
6. Don’t Be a Perfectionist
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress, my friend. We all want our homes to look Instagram-worthy, but obsessing over every single detail will leave you spinning in circles.
You don’t need to alphabetize your spices or color-code your sock drawer (unless that brings you joy, in which case, carry on).
Instead:
- Focus on progress, not perfection.
- Aim for a space that feels clean and functional, not magazine-ready.
- Accept that some clutter may linger. It’s called life!
Seriously, give yourself some grace. Decluttering isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about creating a space that feels calm and happy. A messy junk drawer doesn’t cancel out your entire effort!
7. Don’t Forget to Celebrate Your Wins
Here’s something we suck at (me especially): celebrating small wins. Got through your sock drawer without crying? Go you! Finally cleared out that scary corner of the garage? You’re a rockstar. Don’t gloss over these victories, no matter how small they seem.
Why it matters: Acknowledging your progress helps you stay motivated. Decluttering is hard work, so take a second to recognize how far you’ve come. And if that means treating yourself to a coffee or a Netflix binge afterward, I fully support that. You earned it.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering doesn’t have to be painful, but it’s super easy to fall into these common traps. Without a plan, a system, or the right mindset, you’ll either burn out or end up with more mess than when you started.
But if you stay focused, work at your own pace, and embrace progress over perfection, you’ll feel like a decluttering ninja in no time.
So, let’s recap the golden rules:
- Have a plan (and a timer!) before you start.
- Release the guilt and a bunch of unnecessary stuff.
- Declutter your belongings, not other people’s.
- Stay focused; multitasking is a no-go.
- Sort everything into “keep,” “donate,” and “toss” piles.
- Stop aiming for perfection, good enough is good enough.
- Celebrate every small win like the champ you are!
Honestly, once you make it through that first room, you’ll be hooked. There’s something ridiculously satisfying about transforming a chaotic space into a clutter-free zone.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a trash bag, set that timer, and get started. You’ve got this! 💪