1. CHANGE UP YOUR SCENERY
Sometimes, something as simple as changing your scenery or looking at the clutter problem from another angle is enough to spark your energy and motivation to declutter. Diane Quintana, professional organizer and Founder of DNQ Solutions suggests taking a picture of the area you are working on and leaving the space to help refresh your mind: ‘Give yourself a few minutes. Walk away from the space. Take a break, drink a glass of water, and then look at the picture.
2. TEMPER EXPECTATIONS TO PUSH PAST PERFECTIONISM
Perfection is the enemy of progress, and pushing past it is the best way to overcome a decluttering roadblock and see progress with your home organizing, Katy Wells, Founder of Clutter Cure Club and host of The Maximized Minimalist podcast, believes:
‘Perfectionism often involves a fear of making wrong decisions, leading to keeping unnecessary items (or just not taking action). Perfectionists may also wait for the 'perfect' time to start decluttering (which never comes), create overly complex organizing systems, or set too high standards for what “done” looks like, and that might not be realistic. These tendencies can all lead to mental overwhelm before they even begin. Instead, embrace the concept of 'good enough.' Aim for progress, not perfection,’ she urges. ‘Set realistic goals and remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes and try to avoid waiting for the perfect moment or creating complex systems; simplicity works best.’
3. BEAT OVERWHELM BY STARTING SMALL
One of the most common decluttering tips for decluttering when you feel overwhelmed is to start small and work up from there, and for good reason, says Katy Wells, professional organizer: ‘Facing a large volume of clutter can be intimidating and can lead to procrastination. Studies show a direct correlation between procrastination and clutter, meaning the more you procrastinate, the more clutter you tend to have.
4. RESET WITH SHORT BREAKS
‘It's always a good idea to take a break when you hit a decluttering roadblock,’ reassures Diane Quintana, professional organizer. If possible, get outside and go for a walk or do some sort of exercise. When you get away from the problem and move your body, other ideas may occur to you, which will help you work past the roadblock.
5. SCHEDULE DECLUTTERING SO YOU DON’T RUN OUT OF TIME
If the biggest decluttering roadblock you encounter is time constraints, it can be a good idea to schedule decluttering like you would a meeting or a doctor's appointment, suggests professional declutterer Katy Wells. ‘Consider it an appointment with yourself that’s non-negotiable, like any other important commitment in your life.’
6. WORK WITH SOMEONE TO STAY ACCOUNTABLE
No matter if you are working with a professional home organizer or a friend, it can help to work in pairs when decluttering to hold yourself accountable so you do not procrastinate or get distracted, suggests Catherine Hamilton-Cooper, professional declutterer and organizer at Declutterbird:
7. CREATE A DONATION PLAN TO REMOVE DECLUTTERING GUILT
While decluttering is a positive process that can help to make your home more manageable, it can also bring up feelings of guilt when we face all the items we bought and didn't use, or wasted.