How to Declutter Without Getting Overwhelmed
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When was the last time you opened a closet, drawer, or inbox and felt that familiar mix of I should really deal with this and I don’t even know where to start?
If you’re nodding, you’re in good company.
Decluttering sounds simple enough — just get rid of what you don’t need, right? But in practice, it’s layered. There’s emotion tied to our stuff. Decision fatigue creeps in. And sometimes, clutter is less about mess and more about mental load.
When I finally decided to simplify my home, I thought I’d feel instant calm. Instead, I felt paralyzed. Where do you start when everything feels like too much?
It took me time (and several donation trips) to learn that decluttering isn’t about perfection — it’s about peace. And peace doesn’t come from a minimalist aesthetic; it comes from an environment that supports who you are right now.
Here’s how I learned to declutter without getting overwhelmed — and actually enjoy the process along the way.
1. Start With Intention, Not Guilt
The biggest mistake I made when I first tried decluttering was starting with guilt. Every item I touched carried a story: money spent, gifts received, plans never followed through.
It’s easy to approach clutter like a punishment. But guilt makes it harder to let go — because it keeps you emotionally attached.
Before you touch a single thing, pause and ask:
“What do I actually want this space to feel like?”
Maybe it’s peaceful. Maybe it’s lighter, more creative, more welcoming. Defining that intention gives you direction — and turns decluttering into design, not deprivation.
When I began focusing on how I wanted my home to feel, decisions became easier.
Flipping through The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living helped me reframe what I was aiming for — not spotless minimalism, but rooms that breathe. Calm corners. Purposeful pieces. The kind of beauty that doesn’t shout.
Decluttering isn’t about removing joy — it’s about revealing it.
2. Break It Down by Category, Not Room
If you’ve ever started decluttering your bedroom and ended up knee-deep in nostalgia, snacks, and half-folded laundry… you know the chaos that comes with tackling too much at once.
Instead of decluttering room by room, try going by category. This approach, made popular by Marie Kondo, works because it lets you focus your decision-making energy.
Start small:
- Clothes (start with tops or shoes)
- Books
- Papers
- Miscellaneous (electronics, décor, toiletries)
The key? Don’t move to the next category until you finish the first.
It’s like cleaning your mental tabs one by one instead of trying to close them all at once.
3. Set a Timer (and Keep It Short)
One of the most effective tricks I’ve found: set a timer for 20 minutes.
Tell yourself you’re just going to declutter for that long.
Psychologically, short bursts lower resistance — your brain doesn’t feel trapped in an endless task. But here’s what usually happens: once you start, momentum kicks in.
Motivation follows action, not the other way around.
I call it the “20-minute rule.” Whether it’s a drawer or a corner of the closet, commit to small sessions. Over time, those micro-declutters build into something huge — without ever triggering overwhelm.
4. Start Where It Feels Easy
There’s a reason most experts say to start with non-sentimental items — because early wins build confidence.
When I began decluttering, I made the mistake of starting with memory boxes. Big mistake. Within minutes, I was flipping through old photos, crying, and getting nowhere.
So I changed strategy. I started with the kitchen junk drawer. Easy decisions, quick progress, instant visual payoff.
Start with what feels light. Build from there. Once you’ve built momentum, you’ll have the emotional energy to tackle harder categories later.
5. Use the “Would I Buy It Again?” Rule
When deciding whether to keep something, I used to ask: “Does this spark joy?” But honestly, some things just sparked guilt or confusion.
So I switched to a different filter:
“Would I buy this again today?”
If the answer is no, it’s probably not aligned with who you are now.
This question cuts through nostalgia and fantasy. It keeps you focused on the present version of yourself — not the person you were when you bought that item, or the one you think you should be.
And that’s the real point of decluttering: curating your space for your current life, not your past or future one.
6. Respect the Emotional Layer
Some clutter is practical — old cords, extra mugs. But some clutter is emotional.
It represents identity, memories, or even grief. It’s okay to feel something when you let it go.
I started setting aside “emotionally charged” items in a separate bin. I didn’t force myself to decide right away — just revisited them later, when the pressure was off.
Sometimes, distance gives clarity. Sometimes, you realize you don’t need the physical item to keep the memory.
As one therapist put it: “Objects are not the story — they’re reminders of it.”
Letting go doesn’t erase meaning; it just makes space for what’s next.
7. Simplify, Don’t Sterilize
I used to think decluttering meant creating a magazine-perfect home — all white walls and hidden storage. But that kind of “aesthetic minimalism” often creates new pressure: the pressure to look minimal.
Real simplicity isn’t about empty. It’s about ease.
It’s knowing where things are, having fewer decisions to make, and being surrounded by what feels nourishing.
After I decluttered, I added back only what supported calm: warm textures, plants, and soft lighting.
Adding something cozy — like this Mattress Topper — made my space feel restful without adding visual noise. It’s thick, plush, and grounding — and a reminder that simplicity can still be comfortable.
Simplicity doesn’t mean stripping everything away. It means keeping what gives back.
8. Visualize Completion (and Pause There)
Before starting, I used to imagine how good it would feel when everything was done — but the scale of the project would overwhelm me.
Then I tried a different kind of visualization: picturing one finished space.
I’d close my eyes and imagine opening my drawer to see only the essentials, neatly arranged. That mental snapshot became a small goal — and small goals build momentum.
Once that drawer was done, I’d pause to appreciate it before moving on. That pause matters. It teaches your brain to associate decluttering with satisfaction, not exhaustion.
Over time, those tiny completions add up — and your space begins to reflect your effort back at you.
9. Keep a “Maybe” Box
If you’re indecisive, this will change your life.
Whenever you can’t decide whether to keep something, put it in a “Maybe” box. Label it with a date, seal it, and store it somewhere out of sight.
If you don’t think about the item for the next 30 days (or 90 — choose your window), it’s safe to let go.
This approach removes the emotional weight of permanent decisions while still moving the process forward.
10. Reset One Space Daily
Clutter creeps back in — it’s inevitable. Life happens.
The key to staying decluttered isn’t perfection; it’s rhythm.
Now, I do one small reset every evening: tidy my desk, clear the kitchen counter, or fold blankets. It takes five minutes, but it prevents overwhelm from rebuilding.
Think of it like brushing your teeth for your home — simple maintenance that prevents buildup.
Over time, those micro-resets become automatic, and clutter stops feeling like a “project.” It just becomes part of your rhythm.
11. Practice “One In, One Out”
Once I simplified my space, I realized how easy it was to fall back into old patterns.
Now, whenever I buy something new, I let one item go.
It keeps things balanced — and makes me think twice before buying. If I don’t want to let go of anything to make space, that’s usually a sign I don’t really need it.
This one rule alone keeps clutter from sneaking back in quietly.
12. Celebrate Function, Not Perfection
When I finally finished decluttering, I noticed something interesting: my home didn’t look like an interior design magazine — but it felt like me.
Decluttering isn’t about creating a “Pinterest-ready” space. It’s about creating a home that supports you.
If everything has a place, if it’s easy to find what you need, if the space feels lighter — that’s success.
So celebrate progress, not perfection. You’re building a home that breathes with you — and that’s enough.
What Changed
My home feels calmer now, but more importantly, I feel calmer in it.
Decluttering didn’t just clear my space; it cleared my mind. I’m less reactive, less rushed, and more content just being in my own home.
I still have days when drawers get messy or piles appear. But when that happens, I just reset.
If you want to start your own calm decluttering journey, try this:
- Set your intention first.
Picture how you want your home to feel — cozy, calm, functional. Flip through The Kinfolk Home for slow-living inspiration that keeps your goals grounded in peace. - Reward comfort, not clutter.
Once you’ve created space, add something restorative — like a Mattress Topper. It’s a reminder that simplicity can still feel soft and inviting.
Decluttering isn’t about having less. It’s about needing less to feel at home.