How can I declutter my house without being overwhelmed?

Here is the best formula for decluttering large, overwhelming spaces:
  1. Remove the easiest things first. ...
  2. Discard larger items next. ...
  3. Donate items instead of selling them. ...
  4. Break your large space into smaller bite-size challenges. ...
  5. Work until your bite-size piece is completed.


How do I get motivated to declutter my house?

How to Get Motivated to Declutter
  1. Plan for just 10 minutes. So often the idea of decluttering can create a sense of overwhelm. ...
  2. Have a clear goal. ...
  3. Take action and see the results. ...
  4. Avoid distraction. ...
  5. Make it fun. ...
  6. Plan celebrations & rewards. ...
  7. Get an accountability partner. ...
  8. Consider what you read, watch, & listen to.


Why do I feel overwhelmed when decluttering?

Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh tells WebMD. Those overwhelmed with "memory" clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can't toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says.


Where do you start when you're overwhelmed by a messy house?

Where to Begin When You're Overwhelmed by Clutter and Mess:
  • Take care of time-sensitive issues. Check for any appointments or activities you may have forgotten. ...
  • Focus on food and clothes first. ...
  • Make a simple morning routine. ...
  • Make a simple afternoon and evening routine. ...
  • Choose one special task to do each day.


What is the 20/20 rule for decluttering?

Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location. Thus far, this hypothesis has become a theory that has held true 100% of the time.


WHERE TO START DECLUTTERING WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED | Decluttering Motivation



What should I remove first when decluttering?

First, make your bed. It's hard to feel any progress decluttering a bedroom while an unmade bed stares you in the face. Start with your nightstands. Remove anything on them that doesn't belong there, and put it in your put-away bin.

What should you not do when decluttering?

Decluttering Mistakes: What Not to Do When Decluttering
  1. Starting a Major Decluttering Project Without a Plan. ...
  2. Not Using a Sorting System While Decluttering. ...
  3. Hanging On to Donate/Sell Items Too Long. ...
  4. Trying to Organize Before Decluttering. ...
  5. Trying to Declutter Everything All At Once. ...
  6. Getting Wrapped Up In the Sentimental Items.


What does a messy house say about a person?

Most often, a house that is so messy that it is unsafe or unlivable is a sign of an underlying mental health issue. While you might judge others for “laziness” when their homes are messy, they often do not want to live this way. They likely have no support to treat their mental illness or any family members to help.


What does a messy home say about you?

Is a messy house a sign of mental illness, you might ask. Psychology says that messiness can indeed be a sign that a person is having trouble. Just like someone who is suffering from OCD and has to control everything, being a messy person might show that they are dealing with depression or some other mental illness.

What to do when no one helps around the house?

How to get family to help around the house (when they've been doing nothing)
  1. Change happens in little bits. ...
  2. Pick ONE chore you want them to take over right away. ...
  3. Write that chore in a visible place. ...
  4. Do the chore for them. ...
  5. Watch them as they do it. ...
  6. Let them free. ...
  7. Bring out your stubborn side.


Which room to declutter first?

“The entryway into one's home should be the first space you organize above all others, whether that is a foyer, long hallway, or just an entrance area,” according to Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane and author of “Decluttering for Dummies.”


Why do I have no motivation to declutter?

I think that often, a lack of motivation correlates with a lack of confidence. We don't feel like decluttering because we're worried we won't be able to declutter. The idea of being stressed and overwhelmed isn't very appealing, so we procrastinate or find anything else to do instead.

How do I get into the mindset of decluttering?

5 Ways To Change Your Mindset On Decluttering
  1. Program Your Mind To Say NO. There, I said it. ...
  2. Decluttering Does Not Mean Going Without. Losing clutter should be a relief. ...
  3. Add Up The Cost. Once you've let go of an item, keep track of how much it cost you originally. ...
  4. Convenient = Costly. ...
  5. Change Your Perspective.


What happens to your brain when you declutter your home?

“Studies show that people experience a significant decrease in the stress hormone cortisol when items are removed,” helping you to feel more stable, clearheaded, and relaxed as you clean.


What are the 7 steps to declutter your life?

Below, our experts offer tips that will make reorganizing your life quick and easy.
  1. Rearrange your fridge. ...
  2. Simplify your desk. ...
  3. Tame your purse. ...
  4. Invest in a closet system. ...
  5. Sort your digital files. ...
  6. Categorize your children's playroom. ...
  7. Upgrade your Christmas-decor storage.


When decluttering Where do I start?

10 Creative Decluttering Tips
  1. Start with 5 minutes at a time. ...
  2. Give one item away each day. ...
  3. Fill an entire trash bag. ...
  4. Donate clothes you never wear. ...
  5. Create a decluttering checklist. ...
  6. Take the 12-12-12 challenge. ...
  7. View your home as a first-time visitor. ...
  8. Take before and after photos of a small area.


Is a messy room a symptom of depression?

Being messy is not necessarily a symptom of depression. However, it can result from symptoms of depression such as hopelessness, lack of motivation, or social isolation.


Why do I feel overwhelmed when my house is messy?

A cluttered, untidy environment actually generates more of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. So, if your home and living spaces are clutter-free, tidy and clean then you can assume you'll generate less cortisol and reap the rewards mentally.

Why do I get so angry when my house is messy?

Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important. Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.

What is ADHD clutter?

“Cluttering is another behavior typical in folks with ADHD. Leaving items out as visual cues is a common way of compensating for an unreliable memory or inadequate time-management system, but to the untrained eye it can resemble hoarding,” she says.


How do you deal with an extremely messy house?

Tips to Clean a Messy House & How to Prevent Making Your House Messy
  1. Opt For a Storage Sofa. A storage sofa is an excellent option to prevent cluttering. ...
  2. Use a TV Stand. ...
  3. Choose a Nightstand with Drawers. ...
  4. Opt for a Dining Console. ...
  5. Do Your Laundry. ...
  6. Make Your Bed. ...
  7. Vacuum the Floors. ...
  8. Mop the Floors.


What is a depression nest?

The term “depression nest” has become more popular since the pandemic began. This is a messy and disorganized room or home as a result of experiencing depression. It is an outward display of a depressed mental state.

What is the fastest way to purge clutter?

How to Declutter Fast – Quick and Easy Steps
  1. Toss the Trash. In every area you organize, start by tossing the obvious trash. ...
  2. Move Non-Kitchen Items Out of the Kitchen. ...
  3. Tidy Reading Material in the Living Room. ...
  4. Organize the Bathroom One Drawer at a Time. ...
  5. Let Go of Unused Items in Your Home Office.


What is the fastest way to clean a cluttered house?

Get a Handle on The Mess in Your House, Fast!
  1. Pick up trash. The first step in how to clean a messy house fast is to pick up trash! ...
  2. Pick up dishes & cups. ...
  3. Pick up laundry. ...
  4. Pick up items & clutter. ...
  5. Move room by room. ...
  6. Quickly dust each room. ...
  7. Vacuum each room. ...
  8. Clean the bathroom.


What are the three steps to decluttering?

The three-step hack to simple and fast decluttering
  1. Step One: Do a brain dump. First, get messy. ...
  2. Step Two: Categorise your creativity. Next, choose a day to sit down and categorise the ideas you've jotted down. ...
  3. Step Three: Break it into chunks. Declutter 15 minutes at a time.