01/15/2026
Decluttering isn’t hard because you lack discipline.
It’s hard because most people start in ways that drain them.
Here’s what I DON’t do when I declutter:
1. I don’t wait to feel motivated.
I start anyway. Motivation shows up after I move, not before.
I rely on momentum, not feelings.
2. I don’t start with the hardest, most emotional stuff.
No photos. No keepsakes. No “I can’t deal with this today” piles. I set them aside.
I work up to those once I’ve built some strength and confidence.
You wouldn’t lift your heaviest weight first. Same idea.
3. I don’t ask guilt-based questions that keep me stuck.
“What if I need this someday?” is a trap.
You can always come up with a hypothetical reason to keep something.
That doesn’t mean you should.
4. I don’t begin with tiny, fiddly decisions.
Tangled cords. Jewelry beads. Buckets of screws and nails.
Not because they’re unimportant, but because they’re exhausting.
If you want quick, visible progress, start bigger.
Think furniture, pillows, sweaters. Things that actually change the room.
5. And I don’t try to do everything at once.
One category. One shelf. One drawer. Ideally just one.
If I overdo it, I’m less likely to come back to it next time.
I think of decluttering like a workout.
Consistency matters more than going all out once.
If decluttering has always felt heavy or overwhelming, it might not be your fault.
It might be your strategy.
If you want to really nip clutter in the bud, my premium guide Decluttering With Joy is linked in my bio.
But you can always start with my free Decluttering JumpStart.