There’s a lot of stigma around clutter, but the truth is, clutter happens to all of us. The clutter monster pops up when decisions get delayed, we get busy, tired, or emotionally attached to things we don’t use.
Here’s how you battle tackle these symptoms and beat back the clutter.
TL;DR (Cheat Codes)
- Start small. One shelf. One box. One corner. Whatever you can handle right in the moment.
- Give every item a home or it becomes clutter. This cuts down on the decision-making of “where do I put this?”
- Don’t put things down, put them away, in their home.
- Keep the stuff that brings joy; release the rest.
- 30-minute sprints beat marathon “someday” sessions.
Step 1: Start Laughably Small
Make the goal so easy you can’t say no.
- Pick one target: a single box, one drawer, the left half of a shelf. Whatever is manageable right now.
- Decide fast: Keep / Re-home / Out (donate, sell, or toss).
- Finish the micro-zone before you touch the next thing.
Pro tip: put on a playlist and set a 30-minute timer. When there’s a timer it makes the task feel much more manageable. Then, once you get that momentum you might surprise yourself and keep going. Momentum > motivation.
Want a built-in body double? Try a focus video like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClHJOuRU8kU
Step 2: The Two Rules That Keep You Clear
1) Everything needs a home.
If it doesn’t have a place to live, it will become clutter. Bins for cables, a tray for mail, a hook for keys. Bonus: label it so future-you remembers and we can keep the rest of the family onboard. If your partner isn’t in on this it’s doomed to fail.
2) Keep what sparks joy.
Yes, KonMari still works. Pick it up and ask: “Does this bring me joy?” If not, thank it and let it go. We wrote about it back in 2015 here:
https://tidycasa.com/the-five-secrets-of-the-konmari-method/ and it will work.
I’ve found I feel better donating things at this point than I do buying new stuff.
Less stuff = less mess = less stress.
Step 3: A 30-Minute Declutter Sprint (Do This Today)
- Choose the zone. (entry bench, pantry shelf, desk surface)
- Grab 3 bags/boxes: Keep (belongs here), Re-home (belongs elsewhere), Out (donate/sell/toss).
- Left to right, no skipping. Decide item by item.
- Finish strong: Put re-home items away now. “Out” goes straight to your car.
- Reset the space: Quick wipe, quick photo. Schedule your next 30.
That’s one rep. Stack reps, win the week.
Low-Effort Habits That Actually Work
- 5-Minute Reset: Before bed, return strays to their homes.
- One-In, One-Out: New hoodie in? Old hoodie out.
- Don’t put it down—put it away. Three seconds now saves 30 minutes later.
Maintenance Mindset
You’re not chasing “perfect.” You’re defending wins. Keep the homes, keep the joy filter, keep the timer.
Bottom line: Clutter is just delayed decisions. Start tiny. Give everything a home. Keep what you love. Repeat. You’ve got this. And if you want a co-pilot, we’re here. 💪