How To Declutter For Life, Not For a Quick Fix!

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Overwhelm is a word I often hear folks say regarding decluttering. Decluttering does not have to be overwhelming. When you Declutter For Life the process is not stressful.

You won't clear the chaos overnight, but with patience and effort, you can build a space—and a life—that feels calm and organized. For busy young working moms who've tried and failed, understanding that decluttering is a gradual process rather than a quick fix can change everything. Let me explain.

Understanding Decluttering

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What is Declutter For Life?

The word "declutter" often brings to mind images of empty rooms and minimalist spaces. Yet, it's much more than that. Decluttering is about removing items that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy to your life.

Decluttering is not about giving up luxuries, rather it is about adding good stuff to life like spending more time with family members and friends and achieving your goals.

Decluttering is freeing. It opens up your living space and can remove some stress, which leads to less chaos and more clarity

For a busy mom juggling work, her family, her extended family and all the other time gouging activities, reducing physical clutter translates into calming the mental chaos, allowing you more physical and mental space for what truly matters.

Benefits When You Declutter For Life

Why declutter? You can gain both physical and emotional benefits. Imagine walking into your home and feeling an immediate sense of peace because you know where everything is.

Decluttering is not just about discarding and organizing your possessions—it's about stress reduction. Less stuff means fewer decisions, less cleaning, and more time.

As a parent, decluttering allows you to model organized behavior, teaching your children the value of simplicity and mindfulness.

Managing Expectations During the Decluttering Process

Have You Tried Repeatedly to Declutter with No Success?

You’re not alone. Your first step is to make a realistic plan. This will set you up for a win and who doesn't like to win!? Many people have tried to declutter and felt defeated, thinking there's no decluttering method that will work for them.

Your frustration often comes from unrealistic expectations. It's important to accept that spinning your wheels isn't failure—it's an opportunity to change how you approach decluttering.

You know you have too much stuff and often don't know how to begin decluttering. A lot of people do a lot of hard work with their decluttering project, and a lot of time, they are left unsatisfied.

Sentimental items

Do not start your decluttering project with your sentimental things. Start with unwanted stuff. Remember we are aiming for tangible results. Go into a different area of your home on different days and declutter the obvious things that you know you will not later regret discarding.

So much of the decluttering stress stems from a scarcity mentality. An example of this is when you throw elastics and extra screws in a junk drawer 'just in case' you need them later. Oh! And the empty white Apple boxes!

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Another example: The times you saw new things on sale and bought 6 of them because you couldn't resist. If you are drowning in clutter and want to live with less clutter you have to discard a lot of stuff. This is simple math.

You cannot let go and hold on at the same time. Not possible.

Because we often form emotional attachments to material things our stress levels can soar at the thought of discarding things. This associates decluttering with a 'difficult time'. Change your thinking about decluttering and the result will be amazingly different.

Recognizing To Declutter For Life is a Process

Much like parenting, decluttering is a continuous journey. It's not a magical event that happens once and is done forever. Expecting a quick fix is like planting a seed in the morning and expecting a tree by dinner.

As you evolve so does your home. You'll chip away at the clutter bit by bit as you outgrow certain things, and that's okay. I teach about clutter blindness as an example of this.

Clutter blindness is when you have things in the same place for a long time and you don't even notice these things anymore. I don't have the same things on display that I have had for the many years I have lived here.

There are easy ways to declutter and harder ways. Choose the easier, softer way. Take all the short breaks you need to, just stay with it in a consistent manner and progress is assured.

Setting Realistic Goals

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Start small. This is a real challenge for some people.

Break the monumental task into bite-sized pieces, like conquering one drawer or one shelf at a time. Set achievable goals like "spend 10 minutes a day" or "finish one room this month." By making it manageable, you integrate decluttering into your life rather than having it take over.

One or two decluttered items will add up and the next thing you know you will be motivated to declutter more items because you will see the good results.

Strategies for Effective Decluttering

Creating a Declutter For Life Schedule

Chaos abhors planning. A schedule is your roadmap to a clutter-free home. Allocate specific days and times for decluttering tasks, and stick to them as best you can.

By doing so you are removing the scary overwhelming parts and making manageable realistic time frames to declutter. You are creating a routine that can seamlessly fit into your busy lifestyle.

Make a decluttering schedule. If you can only declutter one or two things a day this is great! Schedule for example to declutter at 10 am or whatever time that works for you. Decide how many days a week you will commit to your decluttering efforts and add them to your calendar.

I wrote an article about how to schedule decluttering that you may find useful.

Treat these scheduled decluttering sessions as you would any appointment. If you have to postpone a session be sure to reschedule as you would a hair or nails appointment.

Decluttering in Small Increments

You might be thinking, "My schedule is already jam-packed. How can I fit in decluttering?" The secret? Small increments. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and tackle one small area. Consistency beats intensity every time. These short bursts keep you from getting overwhelmed while still making progress.

If you think you can't find 10 minutes a day you need to do a time audit and find 10 minutes a day

This article I write has a part about making an Honest Evaluation of Your Time and two suggested Apps to try that I hope you find helpful.

Celebrating Small Wins

Celebrate progress, not perfection. Did you clear a countertop? Rejoice! Small wins build momentum and energy. Reward yourself when you have these victories and be proud! Decluttering doesn't have to be a solo race to the top.

There are many online decluttering & organizing communities where you can find support. Declutterbuzz is a free, safe, and active online community where members offer help, support and motivation to finally declutter your life according to your lifestyle and schedule.

I have been helping folks declutter their homes and minds for a long time. Another important thing and a common mistake folks make is not making a commitment to the process before they start decluttering.

You have to make and follow the commitment you have created for your decluttering journey tailored to work with your life and busy schedule.

This commitment will be the best decision you have made lately.

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How to Declutter for Life

• Make a commitment to declutter for life.
• Have reasonable expectations.
• Make a clear and concise goal and plan.
• Schedule your plan and implement it in small chunks.

Decluttering is not a marathon, it is a life style choice. By managing your expectations and breaking the task into small, consistent actions, you allow yourself the grace to transform your space gradually. This way you can still live your life and do the things that fill you with joy!

So, embrace this journey with patience, consistency, and perseverance. Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to a life that isn't bogged down by "stuff" but enriched by possibilities. Start today!

Happy decluttering!

Photo byMarj Bates

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! We will have a few laughs too!

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