Struggling to Declutter?! You Might Be Making These Mistakes!
- Sarah C. Bezanson
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
Decluttering sounds simple, right? But many people find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck in a cycle of clutter despite their best efforts. If you’ve tried to declutter but haven’t seen lasting results, you might be making some common mistakes. Let’s go over the most frequent decluttering pitfalls and how to fix them.
1. Decluttering Without a Plan
The Mistake: You start decluttering a random area, but halfway through, you feel overwhelmed and quit. Sound familiar?
The Fix: Create a simple decluttering plan. Choose one small area to tackle at a time—like a drawer or a shelf. Set a realistic timeframe and have designated bins for trash, donate, and keep.
2. Keeping Things "Just in Case"
The Mistake: You find yourself saying, "I might need this someday!" and keeping things that never get used.
The Fix: If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you won’t. If the item is easy to replace or serves no real purpose, let it go.
3. Buying Storage Bins and Baskets Before Decluttering
The Mistake: You get excited and buy a ton of storage solutions before decluttering, thinking it will solve the problem.
The Fix: Declutter first, then evaluate what storage is actually needed. Otherwise, you might just be organizing clutter instead of eliminating it.
4. Keeping Too Many Sentimental Items
The Mistake: Keeping everything with emotional significance, leading to cluttered spaces filled with old letters, kids’ artwork, or gifts you don’t love.
The Fix: Choose a few meaningful pieces to keep and find creative ways to store memories. Consider digitizing photos and letters or creating a keepsake box with only your most treasured items.
5. Having an "All-or-Nothing" Mindset
The Mistake: You believe decluttering has to be a massive, all-day effort, which makes it feel daunting.
The Fix: Decluttering is a process, not a one-time event. Try the 10-minute rule—set a timer and work on a small area each day. Small, consistent progress leads to long-term success.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make real progress and create a home that feels lighter and more peaceful. Which of these mistakes have you made before?
Are you ready to dive into decluttering your own home, but need more guidance to stay on track?
Download my free Declutter Checklist to help keep you on task as you declutter room by room.
