How To Overcome Common Obstacles To Decluttering

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People report feeling overwhelmed when tasked with Decluttering. Whether it's the lack of time, dealing with chronic illness, or managing ADHD, these obstacles can seem impossible. Today, we're going to make your decluttering process simpler by using the guide How To Overcome Common Obstacles To Decluttering.

Identify Your Obstacles

A cleaner home can lead to a clearer mind, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being.

First things first, take a moment to figure out what's standing in your way. Is it time constraints, or sentimental items, do you have an emotional attachment to your possessions?

Maybe you suffer from a chronic illness and this overwhelms your decluttering goals. Identifying the specific hurdles you face is the first step toward overcoming them. Reflect on why you want to declutter. What are your reasons?

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Finding solutions to overcome obstacles to decluttering

Once you've identified your obstacles, the next step is finding practical solutions. Time management is crucial. Consider setting aside specific blocks of time dedicated solely to decluttering.

If you're dealing with a chronic illness, pace yourself and take breaks as needed. One item decluttering is a perfectly acceptable way to begin cleaning your cluttered space.

For those with ADHD or depression, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make a world of difference. Find a very small area and focus on this area to declutter. Blind yourself to anything else. Use the one-item-at-a-time decluttering magic.

The biggest obstacle to decluttering your living space is getting started. I can't tell you how many folks tell me they don't know where to start. There is no 'right' place to start decluttering. Start wherever you are.

Decluttering one item at a time is magical because, if you do this daily at the end of the year, you will be 365 items lighter. This is a major amount of clutter and your sense of accomplishment will soar. Most people can declutter one item a day.

Many folks get so motivated by seeing their progress that in time they declutter more than one item a day.

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Support and Accountability

Support goes a long way to finding success. Two great decluttering tips are to have support and an accountability partner - like using the buddy system.

Whether it's friends, family members, or an online community, having someone to cheer you on can be incredibly motivating. Accountability partners can check in on your progress and help keep you on track.

I have an accountability partner when I do the things important to me because it is too easy to get off track. I have also created a supportive community. It is a good idea to have systems in place for these things. Check out Declutterbuzz our safe and private Facebook community!

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The bottom line is if you have too much stuff and want your end goal to be cutter-free having a support system is a great way to get there.

Creating a Road Map

Now that you have your goals and solutions, it's time to map out the steps you'll take. Break down your decluttering project into bite-sized tasks. Start with one room or even one drawer at a time. Knowing exactly what to do next can prevent overwhelm and keep you focused.

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When you make your decluttering plan be sure to add a timeline to the task. Schedule your decluttering sessions as you would your hair and doctors appointments. When an obstacle presents itself and you need to miss your decluttering session reschedule this the same as you would with your hair appointment.

A plan without a timeline is only a wish. See The S.M.A.R.T Plan For Decluttering Success for tips about how to make a clear and concise plan.

Practice decluttering to overcome obstacles

The kitchen junk drawer is a good place to start decluttering because we are seldom emotionally attached to the bits and pieces of debris we have collected in this drawer. There is not often a lot of sentimental value to the items in the kitchen junk drawer.

Really, how many of the plastic bread bag clips do we need and what do you reuse them for?

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Have a backup plan when you are overcoming obstacles

Life is unpredictable, and things will come up that might derail your plans. That's okay! Have a backup plan in place. If you miss a scheduled decluttering session, treat it like a missed appointment—reschedule it as soon as possible. Prioritize it as you would any important task.

Take care of your emergency, of course, then get back to the task at hand.

Some folks allow the obstacle of 'no one will help me' to steer them away from decluttering. I have a little secret for you...just start because, although amazing, family members and housemates are often so impressed with the difference you are creating that they jump right in and start decluttering too.

Visualize success to overcome obstacles

Visualization is a powerful tool. Ask yourself what success looks like for you. For example, if you're targeting your kitchen, imagine gleaming countertops, organized cabinets, and a tidy pantry. Knowing what you want your space to look like will help you stay motivated and give you a clear direction.

Saying you want less stuff is too general a wish. Narrow it done. Get specific. Write it out on paper or draw it by hand or on a tablet. You don't need to be an artist to put your thoughts down on paper or an app. Just thinking about what you want will you help you enormously.

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Decision fatigue is often an obstacle needing to be overcome

In the decision-making category some of us make faster decisions than others . You know who you are. You can learn to be a better decision-maker. One exercise to try is to define the items in your home into two categories.

• love
• hate

By doing this you will call attention to the items cluttering your home that you do not even like. These are the first items to discard either by throwing them away, donating or selling the item.

Do not make a 'maybe' category or these items will continue to sit around and add to your clutter.

Have a positive impact on others when you overcome obstacles

There are subtle ways your decluttering will affect you. Your mental health will get a boost. It is inevitable that when you feel lighter, freer, and more productive, you will feel more joyful.

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Also, by donating your gently used and unwanted things to your local and favorite charitable organizations while cleaning your physical space, you are helping others access things in good condition, that they may otherwise be unable to afford. Helping others is awesome and makes us feel good too, whether consciously or not.

In the article I wrote called Declutter| How To Donate Small Items & Big Heavy Stuff I added a pretty extensive resource guide on how to donate most things you have for free.

Don't create additional obstacles to decluttering

You do not have to declutter your entire home in one session. There are too many less painful ways to get the job done. Do not let decluttering paralysis prevent you from starting your decluttering journey.

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For more tips and tricks, videos and worksheets check out my free Scavenger Hunt 3-day Decluttering Challenge.

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. But once you begin to remove the physical and mental obstacles to decluttering, you'll find that each step gets a bit easier. Be good to yourself, celebrate small victories, and keep your eyes on the prize which is a peaceful, clutter-free home. You've got this!

Happy Decluttering!

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

For more Declutter Buzz & Freebies check out our safe and private Decluttering community on our Facebook page. We are a safe and private space of like minded folks tackling this all encompassing clutter thing once and for all. No shame allowed and always a few laughs!

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