Need Motivation to Declutter? Here are 10 Tips
It can feel overwhelming and hard to get motivated when your home is cluttered. Not only does the mess make it harder to relax or focus, but it can also be a source of stress.
It’s time for a dose of decluttering motivation to give you a jump start! After all, we could all use a little extra push to get us going sometimes.
So, if you need some motivation to declutter, follow these tips and start decluttering your home today.
Keep in mind that while getting motivated is one piece of the puzzle, staying motivated is just as important when it comes to decluttering. So, the tips that will be outlined will also help you to stay on track and persevere once you start decluttering.
Clarify your why
Before we dive in, it’s important to be clear about YOUR reason for decluttering.
Your reason is personal to you and will be different than anyone else’s. And that’s okay! What matters is that you have a clear understanding of WHY you want to declutter in the first place.
When you know your reason for wanting to declutter, it will be easier to stay motivated throughout the process.
Some common reasons people want to declutter their homes are:
To have more time
To be able to find things more easily
To create a more relaxing environment
To have more space
Getting rid of things can be emotional
Let’s be real, decluttering can be emotional. After all, we are talking about getting rid of things that may have sentimental value to you.
And that’s also okay! It’s important to be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling during the decluttering process.
If you start to feel overwhelmed or sad, take a break. It’s perfectly normal to feel emotional when decluttering. Just remember to be gentle with yourself and take breaks as needed.
How can you motivate yourself to declutter?
Now, let’s look at these 10 tips to help with your motivation to declutter.
1. Visualize your goal
What does your dream home look like? How do you want to feel when you walk in the door? Take some time to visualize your goal. What does it look like? How does it smell? How does it feel? When you have a clear picture in your mind, it will be easier to stay motivated.
Before you can put wheels to your goal and set it in action, it’s important to visualize what you want to achieve. This will help set the tone and keep you focused when things get tough.
2. Set realistic goals
When it comes to decluttering your home, setting small, achievable goals is key to success. Trying to do too much at once can be overwhelming and may lead you to give up entirely.
Start by decluttering one area at a time, or even just one room. Once you’ve conquered that, you can move on to another area. And as you start to see the progress you’re making, you’ll be motivated to keep going.
Too many times, we bite off more than we can chew and end up feeling discouraged. So, set small goals that you know you can achieve and build from there.
For instance, a small, achievable goal could be to declutter your kitchen counters. Once you’ve done that, you can move on to decluttering the fridge, or the pantry.
3. Create a plan of action
Creating a plan of action is another good tip for developing motivation to declutter. When you have a plan, it’s easier to focus on what needs to be done and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Start by making a list of all the areas in your home that need to be decluttered. Then, prioritize the list from most to least important. Once you have your list, you can start tackling each area one by one.
As you declutter each area, be sure to have a plan for what to do with the items you’re getting rid of. You can donate them, sell them, or just throw them away. Whatever you do, don’t leave them in a pile to be dealt with later. This will just make the decluttering process that much harder.
To help with your plan consider purchasing our Declutter Workbook.
4. Schedule it in
Another great way to stay motivated when decluttering your home is to schedule it into your week. This will help you to make decluttering a priority and ensure that you don’t get sidetracked.
Start by setting aside one day each week to declutter. Then, add it to your calendar and make sure you stick to it.
If you find that you don’t have time to declutter one day a week, try setting aside one hour each day. This way, you can declutter a little bit each day and still make progress.
5. Set a deadline
If you don’t have a specific goal in mind, it can be hard to stay motivated. Setting a deadline for yourself is another good tip to help with your motivation to declutter. Whether it’s finishing in a week, a month, or six months, having an end date will help you stay on track.
Maybe you’ve invited guests over and you want your home to be spick and span before they arrive. Or maybe you’re moving soon, and you want to declutter before the big day. Whatever it is, setting a deadline will help you stay motivated and on track.
How is this motivating rather than stressful you might ask? Having a timeline creates a sense of urgency which can be helpful when you need that extra push to declutter.
6. Set a timer
One of the quickest ways to become overwhelmed when decluttering is to try and do everything at once. Therefore, it’s so important to set a timer and focus on one area at a time.
Start by setting a timer for 15 minutes and focus on decluttering one area. Once the timer goes off, take a break, and move on to something else. You can always come back and declutter for another 15 minutes later.
The key is to not try and do too much at once. If you focus on one small area at a time, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the decluttering process can go.
7. Keep track of how you’re doing
One of the best ways to stay motivated when decluttering your home is to keep track of your progress. This will help you to see just how far you’ve come and how much more you have to go.
You can do this by taking before and after pictures of each area you declutter. Or you can keep a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings as you go.
Whatever you do, be sure to track your progress so you can see just how far you’ve come.
8. Make it fun
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be quite therapeutic. And the more you do it, the easier it will become.
To make decluttering more fun, try turning on some music or your favorite TV show in the background. Or, if you have kids, involve them in the process and make it a game.
The more you can enjoy the process, the more likely you are to stick with it.
9. Get help from a friend
Another way to help with your motivation to declutter is by enlisting the help of a friend. This way, you can declutter together and keep each other accountable.
Not only will this make the process more fun, but it will also help you to get more done.
Having someone’s help can make the process much easier and more fun. Plus, it’s always nice to have someone to talk to as you declutter.
Furthermore, accountability is a key component of any successful journey. So, if you can find someone to help keep you accountable, it will go a long way in helping you to stay motivated.
10. Reward yourself
Finally, be sure to reward yourself for your hard work. This will help you to stay motivated and on track.
After you’ve decluttered one area, take a break and do something you enjoy. Maybe watch a movie, read your favorite book, or take a nap. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that will help you relax and recharge.
And don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments. Once you’ve decluttered your entire home, throw a party or treat yourself to a nice dinner out. You deserve it.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, the motivation to declutter starts with one small step and then building on that.
Remember, the key is to take action and get started. The sooner you start the sooner you’ll be able to declutter your home and get your life back on track.
It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Taking the time now to declutter your home means you’ll have less work to do in the long run and a more relaxing, less cluttered space to come home to. Ready to get started? Let’s go!