The Mindset that Can Stop Your Decluttering Journey Before It Starts

I have a friend (I’ll call her Becca) who really wants to declutter. Becca grew up with a hoarder, and has a slight tendency in that direction herself, but has reached the point where she knows she’ll be calmer, happier, and better able to handle the details of life if she gets clutter-free.

But when I visit, which happens every two or three weeks, she’s made no discernable progress. She’ll say again how depressing she finds her cluttered house, how much she wants to make a change, but cites busyness at work and a subsequent lack of energy to get anything done.

I’m not writing this post to judge or criticize my friend or anyone like her! If I had experienced Becca’s past or her current circumstances, I might be in the same situation. And knowing the stamina and constant decision-making that decluttering can require, I too feel daunted by the idea of tackling her home.

So my intention in this post is to be as empathetic and inspiring as possible as I share one mindset that is making it harder for Becca (and maybe you) to declutter.

The enemy of progress

Perfection. It’s one concept that’s preventing Becca from gaining the clutter-free home she dreams of. She keeps waiting for the perfect plan, the perfect conditions, the perfect moment to begin. But perfection doesn’t exist in this world, and the desire for it adds stress and complication to even simple tasks. Searching for perfection can paralyze you into inaction, and I think that’s part of what’s keeping Becca from making progress.

Let me encourage Becca (and you) to embrace “good enough.” Maybe you’ve heard or read these quotes, and I’m here to tell you they’re all true:

Dear friend, a simple beginning, followed by many little steps, is more effective than any flawless fantasy.

More problems caused by perfectionism

The fantasy of perfection leads to fear. You worry you won’t get it right, that you’ll get rid of something you wind up needing later, or that you’ll regret what you remove and forever rue the fact that you can’t get it back. Fear makes all of us hesitate, but that hesitation lets clutter grow.

That’s right – perfectionism leads to procrastination, and that makes your clutter sticky. Your house stagnates every time you tell yourself “I’ll put that away later. I’ll decide where that belongs later. I’ll go through that box later.” Decluttering guru Peter Walsh doesn’t mince words: “’Later’ is the best friend of clutter.”

There’s hope!

Honestly, a full declutter of a packed and messy home will take some time and determination. But if you’ve decided you’re ready, don’t think about the entire task. Start with just five minutes in one small area. Don’t think in terms of your entire wardrobe – think only about socks and underwear, or tee shirts, or dressy clothes, or outerwear. Don’t think about your entire kitchen – think about glasses, mugs, storage containers, gadgets, or cooking utensils.

Give yourself some easy wins. Make low-stakes decisions that aren’t going to put you in panic mode. Build your decluttering proficiency like you build any other skill – with repetition and practice. Each decision empowers you and makes the next one easier.

I hope these practical, actionable ideas can help you quell the mess and achieve decluttering victory!

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About the Author: Karen Trefzger is a writer, singer, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother who has been choosing a simpler life for over 20 years. She is the author of several books about minimalism, and blogs at Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff.