6 Steps to Find Motivation for Decluttering

Presented by BetterHelp.

We all hold onto way too much stuff that we don’t need. Maybe you have an affinity for collecting certain items, or perhaps you are a packrat that hides things in every crevice of your home. Whatever the case, it can be easy to accumulate too much stuff and become overwhelmed by the resulting mess. 

But it can be hard to motivate yourself to declutter, especially if you have a lot to get rid of. Not only is decluttering quite the overhaul to take on, but organizing and trashing certain items may bring up memories and emotional pain that you may not want to experience. Maybe these things bring up certain memories, or perhaps you feel ashamed for collecting so much stuff. If decluttering is an emotional task, you probably won’t be too inspired to clean up your home anytime soon. 

Therefore, you may need a bit of motivation to start decluttering your home. If you’re struggling to get started, then check out these great tips that will motivate you to declutter your home. 

Start With A Small Area

Just looking at your clutter can be overwhelming. When faced with such a large task, it can be difficult to figure out where you should even start. 

The best way to start decluttering is by starting with a small area. For example, instead of decluttering your garage, you can just focus on your junk drawer. Or, instead of tackling your bedroom, you can declutter your closet first. By starting small, you experience less stress over the task. An overwhelming and impossible chore suddenly becomes much more manageable by focusing on the small areas first. And once you’ve cleaned out the smaller areas, you will be far more motivated to tackle the larger messes.

Don’t Rush

Some people believe that they need to get all their decluttering done in a short amount of time, such as over a weekend or a single day. However, depending on how big your home is and how much clutter you have, this may not be viable. Therefore, don’t pressure yourself to do everything all at once. As mentioned before, start small and take it slow over the span of a few weeks. Doing this will ensure you thoroughly declutter all areas of your home and experience less stress than if you rush yourself. 

Find A Specific Decluttering Method

As mentioned before, the most challenging part about decluttering is knowing where to start. Just looking at your mess can induce anxiety which may prevent you from taking action altogether. 

One way to combat this is by choosing a specific decluttering method. Many decluttering methods provide guidelines that encourage you to focus on certain items or rooms, taking away the pressure and anxiety of managing and planning your decluttering task. You know exactly which steps to take next and have a better idea of how hard that task will be and how long it will take. You are not going in blind as you would have if you didn’t have a method or plan. 

Include A Buddy

Decluttering is much more fun when you bring in a friend. Not only will it make the job easier to have another set of hands, but the two of you can make a fun afternoon of the activity. It’s far easier to motivate yourself to clean when you can make a fun afternoon of it with your friends. 

Make It Fun

Even if you can’t get a friend involved, you should find ways to make decluttering fun and less of a chore. When you think of it as something that has to be done rather than something enjoyable, you are more likely to push off the task and never start it. 

Therefore, find ways to entertain yourself while cleaning. For example, you can put on some music or a podcast to listen to as you clean. Or, you can turn decluttering into a game, especially if you get your kids involved. For example, you could make it a challenge where everyone has to find 20 to 50 things that they don’t use anymore. The first person to find enough items can receive a reward. When you make it fun, you and your family will tackle your decluttering in no time. 

Reward Yourself

Decluttering your home is an achievement. It takes a lot of time, energy, and effort and should be rewarded. So in order to motivate yourself to declutter your home, find a suitable reward to have after you are finished. 

For example, you can buy that accessory or piece of furniture you want now that you have room for it. Or, you can treat yourself to your favorite restaurant or food item. Whatever it is, a reward will give you the motivation you need to complete such an important and looming task. 

Final Thoughts

Decluttering can seem like an impossible task, especially if you have years of stuff lying around. However, by trying out some of these tips, you’ll be more motivated to take care of your mess, and your home will be decluttered in no time. Looking for more information on how to stay motivated? Then, check out these great resources and advice found at BetterHelp.