Decluttering Tips for People Who Hate Decluttering

Why Decluttering is Important

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but it has many benefits that make it worth the effort. Here are some of the top reasons to declutter:

• Find things easily – When your home is cluttered, you waste time searching for items. Decluttering helps you know where things are so you can grab them quickly.

• Reduce stress – Cluttered spaces are visually overwhelming. Decluttering helps create a calmer environment so you can relax.

• Save money – Get rid of things you don’t use so you stop wasting money on items you don’t need. Decluttering also makes it easier to notice what you actually use so you don’t overbuy.

• Appreciate belongings – With less clutter, you can enjoy the items you truly love and use. Decluttering helps you identify the possessions that bring you joy.

• Focus better – Clutter competes for your attention. Decluttering removes distractions so you can concentrate on what’s important.

• Healthier home – Clutter collects dust and allergens. Decluttering creates space to clean for improved indoor air quality.

• Prepare to move – Decluttering makes moving easier. Get rid of excess stuff so packing and unpacking is simpler.

Decluttering Tips for Reluctant Minimalists

If you dislike decluttering, these tips can help you get started:

Start small

• Tackle one area, drawer, or shelf at a time. Don’t try to declutter your whole house at once.
• Set a timer for 15-30 minutes and work in short bursts. This prevents you from getting burnt out.
• Focus on quick wins first, like clearing expired products from medicine cabinets or donating books you’ll never read again. Seeing progress quickly will motivate you to keep going.

Get support

• Declutter with a friend. You can encourage each other to part with more items.
• Hire a professional organizer for a consultation. They can assess areas you struggle with and provide strategies.
• Read decluttering books. Learning tips from experts can make the process less intimidating.

Make it convenient

• Place donation boxes or garbage bags in each room before you start. Having storage ready helps you remove items quickly.
• Drive donations to charities frequently so they don’t pile up and add to clutter.
• Schedule pickup from charities that offer it. You don’t have to leave the house to donate.

Start with supplies

• Invest in storage and organization tools like bins, shelves, and drawer organizers. Having a place to put things makes decluttering easier.
• Label storage to make putting things away simple. You’ll be less tempted to set an item aside if you know where it goes.

Avoid perfection

• Don’t waste time finding the “perfect” solution for organizing each item. Decide on a spot and move on. You can tweak systems later.
• Focus on big picture progress, not minor details. So what if your books are organized by color instead of alphabetically? Decluttering is about removing excess, not making everything meticulous.

Celebrate achievements

• Recognize your efforts after each decluttering session, even small ones. Order your favorite takeout, go for a hike, or take a relaxing bath.
• Take before and after photos of decluttered spaces. Seeing visual progress can boost your motivation.
• Remove decluttered items from your house quickly. Seeing fewer items will get you excited to declutter more.

Common Items People Struggle to Part With

Some possessions are harder to declutter than others. Here are suggestions for items that often cause hesitancy:

Clothes

• Try everything on and be honest about what fits. Donate pieces that are too big, worn out, or unflattering.
• For “maybe” items, turn hangers backward. If you don’t wear it by next season, let it go.
• Take out-of-season clothes out of your closet. Store only current wardrobe items you actually wear.
• Don’t keep clothing for losing/gaining weight. You can buy new clothes when you reach your goal.
• Get rid of clothes that need repairs or alterations you will never make. Donate as-is so someone else can fix them.

Books

• Remove books you’ve already read and won’t reread. Pass them on so someone else can enjoy them.
• Avoid holding onto books “you should read.” If you really wanted to read them, you would have done so already.
• Don’t keep books “just in case.” If you later need a book you decluttered, you can borrow it from the library or buy it again.
• Be willing to part with gifts and free books you have no interest in actually reading. You won’t hurt the giver’s feelings.
• Take books off shelves and sort through unread ones. Weed out any that no longer interest you before returning books to shelves.

Paperwork

• Recycle instruction manuals and warranties for old products after a year or two. Search online if you need them.
• Shred any documents with personal information. Don’t just throw them in the trash.
• Scan important documents to keep digitally, then shred. This saves space while maintaining access.
• Unsubscribe from catalogs and junk mail lists to reduce incoming papers.

Photos

• Display only favorite photos in frames. Store the rest in archival-safe albums or boxes.
• Donate, sell, or scrapbook printed photos you’re unlikely to frame. Remember, digital copies preserve the images even if you donate the prints.
• Delete duplicate and blurry photos from your computer and cloud storage. You don’t need multiple copies of the same shot.

Sentimental items

• Ask yourself if the memories are really tied to the object or just being triggered when you see it. The memory remains without the item.
• For heirlooms, consider which child or relative would actually appreciate the item. Give it directly to them rather than holding onto it indefinitely.
• Take photos of sentimental items before parting with them. The photo captures the memory without the need to keep the object.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider hiring a professional organizer if:

• You don’t know where to start because the clutter is so overwhelming. A professional can assess and create a manageable decluttering plan.

• You struggle with hoarding. Hoarding disorder makes it extremely difficult for sufferers to declutter, even if they want to. A therapist specializing in hoarding can provide needed support.

• Health problems prevent you from decluttering. Seniors and people with chronic illnesses or disabilities often need physical assistance. Professional organizers can do the necessary hands-on work.

• You’ve tried but keep backsliding. Professional organizers bring accountability through scheduled follow-ups to ensure you stay on track with maintaining decluttered spaces.

• Your work and family schedules limit your time. Professionals can declutter efficiently during times that accommodate your routine.

• You feel emotionally paralyzed. Professionals have experience working with clients’ psychological barriers related to letting go of possessions. Their coaching helps overcome these obstacles.

• You and family members argue about decluttering. A neutral third party can mediate and suggest compromises if you have conflicting decluttering styles.

Going at it alone works for many, but others struggle to make progress without the structure, accountability, and emotional support a professional organizer provides. Be honest with yourself about what would help you declutter successfully.

Conclusion

Decluttering feels like a big, daunting task for people who hate parting with possessions. However, it’s worth pushing past that discomfort. Take small steps, get support, and make the process convenient. Focus on the benefits you’ll gain, like reduced stress and clutter. Be patient with yourself and remember that maintaining a decluttered home gets easier over time. If you still struggle after trying, don’t be afraid to seek a professional organizer’s help. With the right strategies, you can declutter successfully, even if you’ve failed in the past. The payoff of getting organized is worth it.