The best way to stay on top of clutter is to have a clear plan in place. A plan gives you structure and accountability, but it also helps break down what can feel like a huge job into smaller, more manageable pieces. Here’s how you can start:
Set a Decluttering Schedule
Choose a specific day and time each week or month to declutter. Whether you dedicate 15 minutes at the end of each day, an hour every Saturday morning, or a full day once a month, having a regular time for decluttering will make it a habit rather than an afterthought.
Practical Tip: Set a recurring reminder on your phone or calendar for your decluttering sessions. Treat it like an appointment with yourself—a commitment to your well-being.
Start Small and Be Specific
When beginning a new habit, it’s essential to start small. Telling yourself to “declutter the house” is overwhelming. Instead, break it down into bite-sized tasks. Focus on one drawer, one shelf, or one room at a time. Small, consistent efforts lead to big changes over time.
Practical Tip: During each decluttering session, pick one area to focus on. For example, “I will spend 15 minutes clearing out the kitchen junk drawer,” or “This week, I will sort through the pile of mail on the living room table.” This keeps the task achievable and prevents overwhelm.
Create a Clutter-Exit Strategy
One of the biggest barriers to maintaining an organized space is not having a plan for where your unwanted items go. To avoid having donation piles sitting around for months, create a clear exit strategy for items you’re ready to let go of.
Practical Tip: Keep donation bags or boxes in an accessible spot (like a closet or the garage) and make a habit of taking them to a donation center regularly—whether that’s once a month or after each decluttering session. Make a point to schedule a pick-up or drop-off immediately after each declutter to keep the momentum going.
Now that you’ve got a basic plan, here are a few additional tips to help you develop habits that stick.
Set Time Limits
Decluttering doesn’t have to take all day. In fact, setting a time limit can make the process more manageable and less daunting. Whether it’s 15 minutes a day or an hour once a week, work within that time frame and stop when the time is up. You’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish when you focus on short bursts of effort.
Practical Tip: Use a timer to keep yourself on track. Knowing there’s an end point to the task can make it easier to get started.
Pair Decluttering with Something You Enjoy
One way to make new habits enjoyable is to pair them with something you already like doing. You can listen to your favorite podcast or playlist while you declutter, or have a cup of tea ready to enjoy afterward as a reward.
Practical Tip: If you tend to procrastinate, pair your decluttering session with something positive. For example, “After I declutter my closet for 20 minutes, I’ll watch an episode of my favorite show,” or “I’ll listen to an audiobook while I organize the kitchen cabinets.”
Celebrate Small Wins
Every small step you take toward decluttering is a win, and it’s important to acknowledge that. Building habits is about consistency, not perfection. Celebrate each success, no matter how small, and recognize that each bit of progress makes a difference.
Practical Tip: Keep a journal or a checklist where you can mark off each decluttering session or space you’ve organized. Seeing your progress over time will help you stay motivated and show you how far you’ve come.
Practice Self-Compassion
If you miss a session or fall behind on your plan, it’s important to practice self-compassion. Building habits takes time, and it’s okay to have setbacks. The key is to get back on track without guilt or judgment. Remember, you’re human, and this is a process.
Practical Tip: If you miss a scheduled decluttering session, don’t dwell on it. Instead, focus on your next opportunity to pick up where you left off. Give yourself credit for what you’ve already accomplished and remind yourself that progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.
To maintain the results of your decluttering, it helps to weave simple habits into your daily routine. These small, everyday actions will help prevent clutter from building up again, making larger decluttering sessions easier and less frequent.
The One-Minute Rule
If a task will take less than a minute, do it immediately. Whether it’s putting away a dish, hanging up a jacket, or throwing out junk mail, these tiny actions take almost no time but have a big impact on preventing clutter buildup.
The Five-Minute Tidy
At the end of each day, take five minutes to do a quick tidy-up of one area. This could be clearing the kitchen counter, organizing your desk, or putting away clothes. It’s a simple habit that will make your home feel calmer and more organized, even on busy days.