Do You Need Help to De-Clutter Your Home? This week, I have had an issue with my wrist and decided I needed to go to the ER on Christmas Eve. I have severe arthritis, and I think it started when I was 5 or 6 years old. Urgent Care was helping all the Influenza patients, and a friend who works at the hospital said, “At your age (75), you should go straight to the ER. You’ll need X-rays,” which I did. It was swollen, and the pain was a 10. Literally, I have always thought I was a tough cookie, so to speak, until I couldn’t use my hand to even type.
Thankfully, I got the X-Rays, and they told me I needed to see a Hand Orthopedic doctor. I got an appointment within 5 days, because someone cancelled. God knew I needed that appointment. Bottom line, I was given a brace and told to take Motrin three times a day. I have what’s called Pseudogout. It’s a step-sister to Gout (the doctor’s words).
I’ve been Lifting Buckets
Well, I’ve been lifting buckets (flour and sugar) and organizing the pantry wall better. I also made a lot of dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls for the holidays, which uses my wrists and fingers to shape the balls. I still think I’m 30 and can do everything, well, I can’t. Mark does all the laundry and the floors. He changes the sheets on our bed because my hands hurt from bending my fingers.
Here’s my point: Please declutter now before your body starts suffering, and you can’t or don’t want to declutter. I get it, trust me. Mark and I are shredding everything we need to, except what our accountant tells us to keep. Take care when decluttering; do it slowly. Living here has caused me considerable stress, mainly due to my various health issues. We have no options to move to a lower elevation, which would help me with my oxygen levels. Life gives us lemons, and I’m trying to make lemonade out of the situation, but it’s rough. Let’s get started on decluttering. I always use a minute timer: Minute Time.
Decluttering isn’t just about cleaning; it’s about resetting your home and your habits. In today’s world of constant consumption, online shopping, hand-me-downs, and busy schedules, clutter builds quietly. One day, you realize your home environment feels heavier than it should.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, this guide will walk you through why clutter happens, how to break the cycle, and how to declutter in a way that lasts.
Why Clutter Builds Up So Easily
Understanding why clutter accumulates makes it easier to address and resolve.
Common Causes of Household Clutter
- Emotional attachment to items
- “Just in case” thinking
- Lack of storage systems and space
- Busy lifestyles and decision fatigue
- Holding onto items for guilt-based reasons
- Not knowing where things belong
Clutter isn’t a failure; it’s often a sign of transition, stress, or lack of systems, not laziness.
The Emotional Side of Decluttering (Why It’s Harder Than It Looks)
Decluttering forces us to make decisions, and decisions take energy.
You may be holding onto:
- Clothing from a past season of life
- Items tied to memories or loved ones
- Gifts you never used
- Supplies for hobbies you no longer enjoy
Letting go can feel like letting go of who you were or who you thought you’d be. Acknowledge those feelings, but don’t let them stop progress.
Decluttering vs. Organizing: Know the Difference
This is critical.
- Decluttering: removing what you no longer need
- Organizing: arranging what remains
You must declutter first. Organizing clutter only hides the problem and guarantees it will return.
A Realistic Decluttering Timeline (That Works for Real Life)
Instead of overwhelming yourself, use a phased approach:
1: Quick Wins (Week 1)
- Trash
- Junk drawers
- Expired food and toiletries
- Obvious donations
2: Everyday Spaces (Weeks 2–3)
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Living room
- Entryway
3: Storage Areas (Weeks 4–5)
- Closets
- Garage
- Basement
- Spare rooms
Phase 4: Sentimental Items (Last)
- Photos
- Keepsakes
- Memory boxes
Decluttering When You’re Short on Time
If you only have:
- 5 minutes: Clear one surface
- 15 minutes: One drawer or shelf
- 30 minutes: One category (shoes, mugs, papers)
Progress compounds. Even 10 minutes a day adds up to hours of decluttering each month.
What to Do With the Items You Remove
Donate
- Clothing in good condition
- Kitchen items
- Books and toys
- Household décor
Toss
- Broken items
- Expired products
- Stained or worn clothing
Sell (Only If Worth Your Time)
- High-value items
- Furniture
- Brand-name goods
If selling delays your progress, donate instead. Your time matters.
Decluttering With Kids (Without the Meltdowns)
- Involve them in age-appropriate decisions
- Give choices: “Keep five favorites.”
- Declutter together, not behind their backs.
- Lead by example
Teaching kids to declutter is teaching life skills: decision-making, responsibility, and gratitude.
Decluttering for Preparedness & Peace of Mind
A decluttered home:
- Makes emergency supplies easier to find
- Creates space for food and water storage
- Reduces panic during stressful situations
- Improves evacuation readiness
When your home is organized, you think more clearly during emergencies.
Long-Term Systems That Keep Clutter Away
Storage Systems That Actually Work
- Clear bins for visibility
- Labels for accountability
- Zones for daily activities
- Vertical storage when possible
Habit Changes That Matter
- Pause before purchasing
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails
- Do a weekly home reset
- Revisit storage every season
Decluttering Is Self-Care (Not a Chore)
A calm home supports:
- Better sleep
- Better focus
- Better routines
- Better mental health
Decluttering is one of the most practical forms of self-care because it improves every single day that follows.
Tell Me Which Rooms You’d Like Organized First
Every home is different, and decluttering looks a little different for everyone. Some spaces create daily stress, while others are simply overdue for attention.
Tell me: which room would you like to organize first?
- Kitchen
- Pantry
- Bedroom
- Closet
- Bathroom
- Living room
- Laundry room
- Garage
- Basement or storage area
Or maybe it’s just one drawer, one cabinet, or one corner that’s been bothering you.
Drop your answer in the comments, and I’ll help guide you with practical tips, step-by-step ideas, and realistic solutions to get you started. One space at a time is all it takes to make real progress. Let’s tackle it together.
How to Instantly Declutter Your Home
100 Items To Declutter From Your Home
Final Word
Decluttering isn’t about having less: it’s about making room for more of what truly matters. You will have more peace, more clarity, more time, and more breathing room in both your home and your life.
You don’t have to tackle everything at once, and you don’t need a perfect system to begin. Small steps taken consistently will transform your space far more effectively than one exhausting weekend ever could.
As you let go of what no longer serves you, you’ll discover something powerful: a calmer home supports calmer days. When your surroundings are intentional, your routines flow better, your stress levels drop, and your home once again becomes a place of comfort—not chaos.
Give yourself permission to release the excess, trust the process, and move forward at your own pace. Every drawer cleared, every item donated, and every surface simplified is progress. Your home should work for you, and it can, starting today. May God bless this world, Linda
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