If you’ve ever looked around and felt defeated before even starting, you’re not alone. Let me guess—you want to start decluttering, but you’re standing in a room that’s quietly judging you. Maybe it’s your bedroom, the kitchen bench, or that one spot in the hallway where stuff seems to multiply like rabbits. You want to feel in control again. But everything feels too much. So you shut the door, walk away, or scroll Instagram and look at other people’s “before and afters” while wondering if they secretly have a live-in cleaner.
If that sounds like you—hi. You’re not lazy, and you’re definitely not broken. You’re overwhelmed—and that’s where we start.
Ready to Start Decluttering? You Don’t Need a Label Maker
When people are drowning in clutter, the biggest mistake I see is trying to tidy everything at once. Spoiler alert: that never works. Especially for neurodivergent brains (hello, ADHD paralysis), busy mums, or anyone dealing with low energy, decision fatigue, or grief.
We need to start small. Like, really small.
1. Start Decluttering by Dreaming First (Not with the Drawer)
This might sound counterintuitive, but before you touch a single item, I want you to close your eyes and imagine:
What do you wish this space felt like?
Don’t think Pinterest. Think peace.
Do you want:
- to feel calmer when you walk into your bedroom?
- to be able to find your keys without a meltdown?
- your home to reflect who you are becoming—not just who you’ve been?
This is the Dream phase of my D.C.L.T.R. Framework. And it’s more important than any storage solution.
📥 Need help getting clear on your dream? Download my free Decluttering Vision Guide or check out my on-demand Dream Workshop here.
2. Start Decluttering in a Micro-Space
Now, let’s scale all the way back.
Don’t tackle the whole kitchen. Start with one drawer.
Can’t face the whole wardrobe? Start with socks.
Still too much? Try a ‘this or that’ moment: this mug or that one? This pen or that pen? This top or that top?
The key is to treat your space like a container, just like I talk about in Simplicity. Your shelf, drawer, or basket gets to hold a certain amount—once it’s full, it’s full. Start by deciding what gets to stay in the container. No need to sort the whole category at once. Just make one tiny decision at a time.
You might like to try:
- 🕒 A 5-minute timer
- 📦 A shoebox-worth of stuff
- 💡 One category (e.g. pens, mugs, unmatched socks)
There’s no shame in going tiny. Small wins build momentum.
3. Start Decluttering by Choosing What Stays
Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything. It’s about choosing what gets to stay.
Ask yourself:
- Does this serve the version of me I’m becoming?
- Do I use it, love it, or feel good around it?
- If I let this go, what would I gain? (Time? Space? Sanity?)
This is the Curate phase. You’re not throwing things away—you’re creating room for the life you want.
4. Start Decluttering With Support (You Don’t Have to Do This Alone)
Overwhelm is isolating. But you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through decluttering.
Here are some supports that actually help:
- A body-double (real or virtual!) to sit with you on Zoom
- A printable checklist you can tick off at your own pace
- A strategy session to gently guide your next steps
🙋♀️ This is literally what I do. If you want a side-by-side cheerleader in your corner, check out my Side-by-Side Sessions or book a free strategy call.
5. Celebrate Small Wins When You Start Decluttering
You cleared a shelf? Amazing.
You made one decision today? Brilliant.
You opened the drawer and said “not today”? That counts too.
Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up. Every time you do, you’re proving you can start decluttering in a way that actually works for you. With each step, you’re reinforcing that you can do hard things… even if they take time.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering when you’re overwhelmed isn’t about being ruthless. It’s about being kind.
Kind to your current self, your past self, and your future self.
So let’s start where you are.
Use what you have.
Do what you can.
And remember: you don’t have to do it alone.
💌 Want some help choosing your starting point?
Come find me on Instagram @laurenwinzar or join my newsletter community for more gentle, realistic decluttering support at this link.