How to find the motivation to declutter. Here are six simple tips that will help you get motivated to clear your clutter and create a peaceful space.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home, know that you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to find the motivation to declutter and organize our living spaces. When I started my own decluttering journey a few years ago, I found myself in the same boat. However, I learned some valuable tips and tricks along the way that helped me overcome my decluttering obstacles and create a more organized and functional home.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my personal story and the actionable steps you can take to tackle your cluttered home. From setting realistic goals to implementing a sustainable organizational system, you’ll discover the strategies that have worked for me and can work for you too. Keep reading to learn how to transform your cluttered home into a peaceful and functional sanctuary.
Whether you’re looking to simply clean your place up a bit or to undertake a major decluttering, these steps can work for you. I hope you find them useful.
How to get motivated to declutter
1 Find your “WHY”
Before you begin decluttering, it’s essential to understand why you want to do it. What are you choosing? Are you looking to create more space in your home? Do you want to simplify your life? Or are you tired of feeling stressed out by the clutter? Once you identify your motivation, write it down and keep it in a visible place. This will serve as a reminder of why you’re decluttering, and it will help you stay motivated when the going gets tough.
Let’s put it simply, you’ll feel motivated to declutter when the joy of letting go outweighs the pain of hanging on. You must want to change more than you want things to stay the same. Let’s look at a concept called loss aversion. Loss aversion refers to the psychological tendency to feel the pain of loss more strongly than the pleasure of gain. In other words, we are more motivated to avoid negative outcomes than we are to pursue positive ones.
When it comes to decluttering, this means that simply wanting to save time and money may not be a strong enough motivator. Instead, we need to find a deeper reason for why we want to declutter – something that hits us on an emotional level and feels like a loss if we don’t achieve it. This might be the loss of a sense of peace and calm in our home, or the loss of time and energy spent managing clutter.
By finding a powerful “why” that taps into our sense of loss aversion, we can create a sense of urgency and motivation to declutter. It’s not just about gaining more space or saving a few dollars – it’s about avoiding the negative consequences of living in a cluttered environment. This can help us stay focused and committed to the process of decluttering, even when it feels overwhelming or difficult.
2 Understand what holds you back
Very often, a lack of motivation correlates with a lack of confidence or self-efficacy. Decluttering can feel overwhelming, and the idea of being stressed and unable to make progress can be discouraging. As a result, we may procrastinate or find other tasks to do instead of tackling our cluttered spaces.
This lack of confidence can stem from a fear of failure (that you’ll never be able to declutter), or the belief that decluttering is a task that we simply cannot achieve. But the truth is, anyone can declutter with the right mindset and approach. It’s important to remember that decluttering is a process, and it takes time to develop the skills and habits necessary to maintain a clutter-free home.
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One way to build confidence and motivation is to start small (like mentioned above). Choose a small area to work on and set achievable goals. By breaking down the task into manageable steps, you can build momentum and feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step.
It’s also important to reflect on what’s holding you back from decluttering. Is it a fear of letting go of sentimental items? A belief that you might need something someday? Understanding the underlying reasons behind your clutter can help you develop strategies to overcome them.
Another helpful strategy is to enlist the support of a friend or family member. Having someone to help you sort through your belongings and offer encouragement can make the process feel less daunting and more enjoyable.
Ultimately, building confidence and motivation is key to achieving a clutter-free home. By breaking the process down into small steps, understanding what’s holding you back, and seeking support when needed, you can overcome your doubts and achieve your decluttering goals.
3 Pick the right project
Trying to tackle your entire home at once can be overwhelming and discouraging. Instead, choose a project that creates momentum – keeping in mind that your starting point will depend a lot on your personality.
If you are someone who is goal-oriented, I know we know that checking things off a to-do list can be incredibly satisfying. So, when it comes to decluttering, it’s important to choose tasks that give us a sense of accomplishment and motivate us to keep going.
One way to do this is to start with an easy win – choose a small task that you can do quickly and effortlessly. For example, start by decluttering a single drawer or clearing off a small section of a countertop. When you finish, you’ll feel great about what you’ve accomplished and be inspired to take on bigger decluttering projects.
Another approach is to choose a project that has a direct impact on your “why”. For instance, if you’re looking to create more time for yourself, start by decluttering your bedroom and transforming it into a peaceful retreat. This way, you can experience the benefits of a decluttered home from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed.
By starting small and focusing on tasks that align with your goals, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated and make progress in your decluttering journey. And as you achieve each milestone, don’t forget to take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments – you totally deserve it!
4 Don’t get sidetracked – finish your first task
As someone who tends to jump between projects, I’ve learned that single-tasking is more effective when it comes to decluttering. It’s easy to get sidetracked by items that don’t belong in the area you’re working on, but it’s important to resist the temptation to start organizing other spaces.
By staying focused on the task at hand and finishing decluttering the area you’ve chosen, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to continue. Trust me, it’s worth it to take the time to finish one task before moving on to the next.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your home, try breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable areas. This will help you stay on track and see progress along the way. And don’t forget to reward yourself for a job well done – a small treat or a relaxing break can help you recharge and get ready for the next task.
Remember, decluttering is a process, and it’s important to take it one step at a time. So, stay focused, finish what you started, and before you know it, you’ll have a clutter-free home that brings you peace and joy.
5 Slow progress means you’re doing it right
While some people can declutter their homes in a weekend, the reality for must of us is that it takes much longer. This can be discouraging, but don’t let it get to you. Because here’s the thing – the true benefits of decluttering come from learning the lessons behind your stuff.
As Pema Chödrön said, “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” By taking your time with decluttering, you’re doing the important work of understanding the emotional ties that led to a cluttered life. This is essential for building a strong foundation that will help you move forward without falling into old habits.
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I know it might sound cheesy, but minimalism truly changed my life on so many levels. Decluttering was the first step, and it was tough. It took me years to make progress. But it was all worth it, and I believe it can be for you too. Keep this belief close to your heart and use it as motivation to keep going. You’ve got this.
6 Pat yourself on the back for a job well done
Once you’ve finished decluttering your chosen area, take a moment to acknowledge your hard work and celebrate your progress. This could mean treating yourself to something you enjoy or simply taking a break to relax and appreciate your clutter-free space. Remember, decluttering is a process, and every small step you take brings you closer to your goal of a more organized and functional home.
How to feel motivated when decluttering
Finding the motivation to declutter can be a challenging task, but it’s essential for a more organized and stress-free life. The six tips we’ve shared in this blog post can help you overcome any obstacles and make the process more manageable.
Remember, decluttering isn’t a one-time task; it’s a habit that requires consistent effort. If you want some support, join us over on Instagram where we are doing a 30-Day One-a-day decluttering challenge.
You can also download the Declutter Starter Kit below for a few more helpful tips and motivation to kickstart your decluttering journey.
So don’t wait any longer. Start decluttering today, and take the first step towards a more organized and joyful life.
