Feeling Overwhelmed by Clutter? Here’s How to Start Decluttering Your Home Without Stress

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• Pinterest

Let’s be honest – decluttering used to stress me out too.

Before I became a home organiser, I felt completely stuck. I’d look around at the mess and think, “Where on earth do I even begin?” The more I ignored it, the worse it got – and the more overwhelmed I felt.

I know how it feels when your home doesn’t feel calm or in control. And I know how impossible it can seem to tackle it when you’re already stretched thin, juggling work, kids, and everything in between.

That’s why I’m sharing the exact approach I use now – with myself, and with the women I support every day. Because decluttering doesn’t have to mean hours of sorting and bin bags everywhere. You can make progress in a way that feels calm and realistic – even with a busy life.

If you’ve been thinking, “I don’t know where to start,” this post is for you.

Start small – really small

When everything feels overwhelming, the last thing you need is another big task. So instead of thinking about your whole home, or even a whole room, just pick one tiny area. A single drawer. One corner of a worktop. The bathroom shelf.

Why? Because starting small builds confidence. You see a quick win. You finish something. That sense of progress is what helps you keep going.

It’s not about speed or perfection. It’s about momentum.

Choose your “why”

Before you dive in, take a moment to think about why you want to declutter. Maybe it’s to feel calmer when you walk through the door. Maybe it’s to stop snapping at the kids when you can’t find their shoes. Maybe it’s because you’re simply tired of the mess.

Keep that reason close. Write it down if it helps. Decluttering is emotional work – and reminding yourself of your “why” can keep you focused when it feels hard.

Where to Start Decluttering: A Simple, Stress-Free Plan

1. Pick One Small Area

Choose something you can tackle in 10–15 minutes:

• A kitchen drawer
• Your bedside table
• The bathroom cabinet
• That random “drop zone” that collects stuff

Keep it simple. Just one area. One win.

2. Set a 15-Minute Timer

This helps you stay focused and not fall down a rabbit hole. You’re not decluttering the whole house—you’re just doing what you can in 15 minutes.

3. Empty It Out First

Clearing the space completely makes it easier to see what’s actually in there. You might be surprised what’s been hiding at the back!

4. Sort Quickly Into 3 Piles

• Keep – You use it or love it
• Let Go – It’s broken, expired, unused
• Move Elsewhere – It belongs in another room

Don’t overthink it – just go with your first instinct.

5. Ask the Right Questions

Here are a few powerful ones:

• “Have I used this in the last year?”
• “Would I buy this again today?”
• “Do I have more than one of these?”
• “Is this helping or stressing me out?”

You don’t have to be ruthless – just real.

6. Finish the Job Fully Before Moving On

This bit is key! Finish one space completely – put things back neatly, bin what needs to go, and give it a quick wipe. Then stop. That’s it for the day if that’s all you’ve got in you.

Quick Decluttering Ideas for Busy Rooms

If you’re ready to do more, here are fast wins for each room. These are perfect for 10–15 minute tidy-ups.

Kitchen

• Toss out-of-date food
• Clear the “junk” drawer
• Donate unused mugs or gadgets

Living Room

• Tidy remote controls and loose items
• Rehome things that don’t belong here
• Declutter coffee tables or sideboards

Bedroom

• Empty a bedside drawer
• Declutter under the bed
• Go through one section of your wardrobe

Bathroom

• Toss expired toiletries or medicines
• Organize products in a small tray or box
• Only keep what you actually use

Hallway

• Tidy the shoe pile
• Clear the post and paperwork
• Hang up coats and bags properly

Don’t make piles that stay for days

This is where most women get stuck – they pull everything out and then feel too tired to put it all away again. The trick is to finish one small area fully before moving on. Clear it, sort it, wipe it down, put things back neatly or bag them up to go. Done.

That way, you avoid the dreaded “worse before it gets better” chaos – and your space starts to feel lighter straight away.

Build decluttering into your weekly rhythm

You don’t need to wait for a free weekend (which, let’s be honest, may never come). Instead, block out just 15 minutes a day or half an hour on a weekend morning. Set the mood with music or a podcast. Make it part of your routine, like you would a quick tidy-up.

Little bits, done often, really do add up. And the more often you do it, the quicker it becomes.

Be kind to yourself

You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re just someone who’s been busy and overwhelmed – and that’s completely understandable.

Decluttering isn’t about having a Pinterest-perfect house. It’s about creating a space that feels calm and works for you. And if you’re reading this, you’ve already made a brilliant first step.

Take it one drawer, one shelf, one tiny win at a time.

Final Thought

Clutter can feel heavy, but every time you take one small action, you’re creating a home that feels calmer and more manageable. And that matters.

Start small. Keep it simple. And if you need a bit of structure, grab the free checklist and let it guide you through the first steps.

You’ve got this.