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How to Tackle Clutter One Step at a Time

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In this printable guide, you will receive:

  • Beginners guide checklist,

  • Monthly planning worksheets,

  • Weekly planning worksheets,

  • and more!

These steps are all covered in this comprehensive checklist!


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There comes a moment when you look around your home and realize the clutter has taken over. I’ve been there, surrounded by piles of papers, toys, and an ever-growing list of things to organize. Clutter can sneak up on us, turning our cozy spaces into chaotic messes that drain our energy and focus. As a busy mom and entrepreneur, I understand how quickly life can get out of hand, making it difficult to maintain an organized home.

The importance of decluttering goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that fosters clarity and peace. Whether you’re a working professional, a stay-at-home parent, or anyone in between, a clutter-free space can significantly impact your productivity and mental well-being.

In this post, I’ll share my journey from clutter to clarity, offering simple, actionable steps to declutter and organize your living space. We’ll cover why decluttering is crucial for a clear mind, how to tackle the mess without feeling overwhelmed, and 5 practical suggestions for anyone new to this process. Let’s embrace this journey together and transform our homes into spaces that truly reflect our best selves.

How to Figure Out Where to Start Decluttering

Assess the Situation: Identify Your Clutter Zones

Start by walking through your home and noting areas that feel chaotic or disorganized. Focus on the spaces that cause the most stress. These “clutter zones” could be overflowing closets, messy kitchen counters, or paper piles on the desk. Taking note of these areas will help you create a prioritized plan.

Set Clear Goals: Determine Your Desired Outcome

Before diving into decluttering, take a moment to set clear goals for each clutter zone. What do you want to achieve? Maybe it’s having clear countertops for easier meal prep or organizing your wardrobe to find clothes more easily. A clear goal will help you stay focused and motivated.

Break It Down: Create Manageable Tasks

Tackling an entire room at once can be overwhelming. Break down the decluttering process into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, if you’re working on the kitchen, start with a single drawer or cabinet. Completing smaller tasks builds momentum and makes the overall process less daunting.

Sort and Categorize: Divide Your Items

For each clutter zone, sort your items into categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Discard. This will help you evaluate what’s essential and what’s not. As you sort, ask yourself whether each item serves a purpose or brings joy. If it doesn’t, consider letting it go.

Start Small: Focus on Quick Wins

To build confidence and motivation, start decluttering areas that offer quick wins. This could be a single drawer, a shelf, or a surface. Completing small projects will encourage you to tackle bigger ones, gradually bringing order to your entire home.

Create a System: Organize and Store Efficiently

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize. Assign each category a designated space. Invest in storage solutions that suit your needs, like bins, drawer dividers, or shelf organizers. Label everything clearly so that finding and putting away items becomes second nature.

Maintain the Order: Develop Habits to Stay Clutter-Free

Decluttering is only the beginning. To maintain your newly organized spaces, establish daily and weekly habits that prevent clutter from piling up again. Spend a few minutes each day tidying up and do a deeper declutter once a month. These habits will help keep your home in order long-term.

Remember, decluttering is a journey that requires patience and persistence. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your home into a peaceful and organized space.

5 Tips for Staying Clutter-Free

  1. Adopt the One-In-One-Out Rule: To prevent clutter from creeping back in, make a habit of removing one item for every new item you bring into your home. This rule helps you maintain balance and avoid accumulating excess belongings.

  2. Create Daily and Weekly Tidying Routines: Spend a few minutes each day tidying up high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room. Schedule a deeper clean once a week to tackle areas that tend to collect clutter, like drawers and shelves.

  3. Be Intentional with Purchases: Before buying something new, ask yourself if you genuinely need it or if it’s a temporary desire. Being mindful of your purchases helps keep unnecessary items out of your home.

  4. Utilize Vertical Space: Make the most of your vertical spaces by adding shelves, hooks, or organizers to walls and inside cabinets. This will help you store items efficiently and keep them off countertops and floors.

  5. Embrace Minimalism: Shift your mindset toward valuing quality over quantity. Surround yourself with items that truly serve a purpose or bring joy, and let go of things that don’t align with your goals.

By integrating these tips into your daily life, you can maintain a clutter-free home that supports both productivity and peace of mind.

Decluttering your home isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about creating an environment that brings clarity and peace to your daily life. By breaking down the process into manageable steps and adopting simple habits to stay clutter-free, you can transform your living space into a haven that truly reflects who you are. The journey may feel overwhelming at times, but the rewards are worth it—more space, less stress, and a clearer mind.

If you’re looking for more resources to help you get organized, check out the other helpful guides on our website that cover everything from decluttering to productivity.

Ready to take control of your home organization journey? Start by downloading our Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning freebie! It’s filled with tips and tools to streamline your meal prep, saving you time and energy so you can focus on the things that truly matter.


I would like to be transparent so that there are no misunderstandings. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any products linked in this post. This is not a sponsored post, and I was not asked to recommend these products. These are products that I genuinely love and wanted to share with my audience.