It’s no secret that a messy house can be stressful and overwhelming. Not only is it difficult to find anything in such a cluttered environment, but a messy home can also lead to depression and decreased productivity. If you’re overwhelmed by the mess, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

How to start decluttering when overwhelmed? Be willing to let go of some things and strategic. Here are the 6 steps and tip that will get you started and get you through the process:

Make a Plan
Set a Timer
Get Rid of the Easy Stuff First
Donate, Recycle, or Trash
Organize What’s Left
Put a Maintenance Plan in Place

These decluttering tips help stay motivated throughout the process. So, if you’re ready to start, let’s jump in!

How To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed – Proven Simple Tips

What do you feel when you look around your home and see all the clutter that has accumulated? If you’re like many people, the accumulation of stuff and the disarray in your home can be quite stressful. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Decluttering your home can be a liberating experience, and it’s definitely worth the effort. Embrace it; you will feel amazed when you look back and see what you have accomplished. Here are our proven tips for decluttering your house in a day:

1. Make a Plan

The first step to decluttering your house is to make a plan. This may seem daunting, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Set aside 10-20 minutes of your time for this – remember, this can be fun, but you have to accept that it will take some work!

Start by listing all the areas in your house that need to be decluttered. Once you have your list, prioritize it by starting with the most cluttered areas. If you’re doubtful of where to start, begin with the area that gives you the most anxiety. Once you declutter that space, you’ll feel more motivated to tackle the rest of your house. Your checklist can look something like this:

Living room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bathroom
Garage/Attic/Basement

You want to list all the items you think you have under these categories to help you get a clear picture of what you’ll be working with. For example, under “Living Room,” you might list things like books, DVDs, magazines, and knick-knacks; under “Kitchen,” you might list dishes, utensils, appliances, pots, pans, etc.

You can download the pdf here: Decluttering Checklist PDF. If you need a customized decluttering checklist, you can contact us here and we will make it for you.

2. Set a Timer

One of the most important things to remember when decluttering your house is that you don’t have to do it all at once. Trying too much at once will only make you feel more overwhelmed. So, set a timer for each area that you plan to declutter. For example, if you’re starting with the living room, set a timer for 30 minutes and work on decluttering that space until the timer goes off. Then, take a break and move on to another area. Remember, the goal is to make progress, and using time management strategies will help you stay on track.

3. Get Rid of the Easy Stuff First

Decluttering needs some motivation, and one of the best ways to motivate yourself to keep decluttering is to start with the easy stuff first. This could be anything from putting away clothes lying around to wiping surfaces and tidying up loose items. Once you’ve tackled the easy stuff, you’ll feel more confident and motivated to keep going. And, as you start seeing results, you’ll be even more inspired to declutter the rest of your house.

4. Donate, Recycle, or Trash

As you’re decluttering your house, you’ll find much stuff you no longer need or want. When this happens, deciding what to do with the item is important. There are three options: donate, recycle, or trash.

Donate: If the item is in good condition, consider donating it to a local thrift store or charity. This is a great way to declutter your house and help those in need.
Recycle: Recycling is a great way to reduce your house’s waste. If an item is no longer usable, see if it can be recycled. Many things, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal, can be recycled.
Trash: Thirdly, if the item is in bad condition and can’t be donated or recycled, it’s time to trash it. This can be hard to do, but sometimes it’s necessary. Remember, the goal is to declutter your house and remove stuff you don’t need or want.

5. Organize What’s Left

Once you’ve decluttered your house, it’s time to organize what’s left. This will help you keep your home decluttered and make finding things easier when needed. There are a few different ways to organize your belongings.

Sort by category: One way is to sort them by category. For example, you could have a section for clothes, another for books, and another for miscellaneous items. This is a great way to keep things organized and easy to find.
Sort by frequency of use: Another way to organize your belongings is by frequency. This means putting the items you use most often in an easily accessible place and storing the items you use less often in a less accessible place. You might keep your everyday dishes in the kitchen cabinet and put your special occasion dishes in the basement.

6. Put a Maintenance Plan in Place Like a Pro

Once you’ve decluttered and organized your house, we recommend you put a maintenance plan in place. This will help you keep your home decluttered and prevent it from getting messy again. Below are some of the ways you can maintain your decluttered home:

Set aside time each day to tidy up: One of the best ways to keep your house decluttered is to set aside time for daily tidy-up. This doesn’t have to be a lot of time; even 15 minutes will do. During this time, you can put away any loose items, wipe down surfaces, and do a general tidy-up.
Do a weekly declutter: In addition to a daily tidy-up, you should also do a weekly declutter. This means taking some time (1-2 hours) each week to declutter your house. This could involve going through your clothes, books, and other belongings to get rid of anything you no longer need or want.
Have a place for everything: Have a place for everything in your house. This will help you keep things organized and prevent your home from cluttering. A good example is if you might have a basket for your keys, a drawer for your bills, and hooks for your coats.

Yes, it is possible to declutter your house in a day – but it will take some effort. You have to be willing to let go of some things, and you’ll need to be organized and strategic. Decluttering your home can be a liberating experience, and it’s definitely worth the effort.

What Are The Best Home Decluttering Techniques?

Image: best techniques for decluttering a messy house

If you’re having trouble getting motivated to declutter your house, you can do a few things to make the process easier.

1) Have a plan with a goal: take a few minutes to think about what you hope to accomplish by decluttering your home.

2) Avoid Overthinking: Avoid getting caught up in the details and focus on removing things you no longer need or want.

3) Use a system to stay organized: setting up a system for organizing your belongings will make decluttering easier, such as sorting things by category or frequency of use.

4) Stay motivated: if you feel overwhelmed or discouraged during the decluttering process, take a break and do something relaxing to help you stay focused and motivated.

5) Set a time limit: if it’s hard for you to let go of things, try setting a time limit for yourself, such as one hour or one day. This can make the process seem less intimidating and help you stay focused on what’s most important.

6) Put a maintenance plan in place: once you have decluttered your home, take steps to keep it organized and tidy regularly. This might involve setting aside time daily to tidy up or declutter weekly.

7) Be patient and forgiving: remember that it takes time to declutter your home, and it’s okay if you don’t get everything done in one day. Be patient and forgiving with yourself, and take it one step at a time.

8) Reward yourself for your hard work: once you have decluttered your home, take some time to appreciate your hard work and reward yourself with something special. This can be a small treat, like renting a movie, going out to eat, or something more meaningful.

FAQs

How does a messy house affect you?

A messy house can affect you in several ways. It can cause stress, anxiety, and messy house depression. It can also make it difficult to focus and be productive. A messy house can also make it hard to find things when needed.

How long does it take to clean a messy house?

It depends on the size of the house and the amount of clutter. It could take a few hours to a few days. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With help, you can finish decluttering your house in no time.

How do I deal with a messy house?

The first step is to declutter your house. This means getting rid of anything you don’t need or want. Once you’ve decluttered your home, you can start organizing it. This will help you keep your house decluttered and make finding things easier when needed.

What are the best home decluttering techniques?

You can use a few different organizing techniques to declutter your house. You can sort by category, sort by frequency of use, or have a place for everything. You can also do a daily tidy-up and a weekly declutter.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with a messy house, don’t despair. Just set a day aside and follow the home organization hacks above. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can declutter your home and get it back in order. Just remember to have a maintenance plan to prevent your house from getting messy again. In no time, you will have a decluttered home that you can be proud of.

How To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed? 6 Proven Tips