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12 Common Decluttering Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Decluttering is one of those tasks that sounds simple enough, but there are a few common mistakes we all tend to make. Trust me, I’ve been there, and sometimes it’s hard to avoid them, especially when you’re trying to juggle the demands of daily life.

But, with a little preparation and awareness, you can sidestep these mistakes and make decluttering a much smoother process. Here are 12 mistakes to watch out for and how you can avoid them.

1. Trying to Do It All at Once

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It’s tempting to think you can declutter your entire house in one go, but that’s one of the quickest ways to get overwhelmed and give up. I’ve tried tackling a whole house before and ended up more stressed than when I started! Instead of diving into everything at once, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks.

For example, focus on a single room like the kitchen or living room, or even just one area, like a closet or countertop. By taking it one step at a time, you’ll feel less stressed and more motivated as you see visible progress. And if you have kids running around, do one drawer or shelf at a time while they’re napping or playing.

2. Not Having a Plan

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Going into decluttering without a plan can lead to wasted time and effort. If you start without knowing what you want to accomplish, you’ll probably get distracted or sidetracked, and the clutter will stay. Trust me, I’ve ended up sorting through random things for hours, only to find I didn’t get much done.

Instead, take a few minutes to set clear goals for the day. For example, “Today, I’m going to tackle the top kitchen cabinets and donate the items I no longer use.” That way, you’ll stay focused on what really needs to be done and avoid wandering into areas you don’t need to declutter yet.

3. Being Too Sentimental

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I totally get it—parting with items that hold sentimental value can be emotional. But holding onto everything just because it reminds you of a special time or person can clutter up your space. I used to struggle with this, especially with gifts or childhood memorabilia. Here’s a trick: set aside a “memory box” or scrapbook for truly special items.

If you have a t-shirt from a concert you loved but you never wear, keep it in a memory box rather than having it take up space in your closet. If you’re really struggling with a specific item, ask yourself: “Do I need this item to remember the memory, or does the memory live in my heart?” That simple question can help you decide whether it’s time to let go.

4. Not Sorting Items Before Decluttering

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One of the mistakes I used to make was just grabbing a pile of stuff and tossing it into boxes without organizing. This makes the process feel messy and unproductive. Instead, start by sorting your items into categories like clothes, books, toys, or kitchenware. You can even make smaller piles for “donate,” “keep,” or “recycle.”

Sorting things into categories helps you make decisions faster and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed by a jumbled mess. I always start with my bookshelves—taking everything off and organizing by category makes it easier to see what I need to keep and what can go.

5. Holding on to Things ‘Just In Case’

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We all have those “just in case” items—the extra blender in the back of the cabinet or the stack of old towels we never use. The truth is, if you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you won’t use it in the future. I used to hold on to all sorts of “just in case” things, but now I ask myself: “Do I really need this?” If the answer is no, I get rid of it.

I donated an extra set of dishes I wasn’t using, and it made so much more room in the kitchen. If you’re on the fence, ask yourself if the item is adding value to your life. If it’s not, it’s time to let it go.

6. Decluttering Without a Place to Donate or Sell Items

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If you just let your donations pile up in a corner, they’ll only sit there and add to your clutter. When you’re ready to declutter, make sure you have a specific place to put your donations. I always set up a donation box, and when it’s full, I take it directly to a charity drop-off.

If you plan to sell things, create a separate pile and schedule a time to list items online, like on Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark. The quicker you act, the less temptation you’ll have to bring things back into the house.

7. Ignoring the Emotional Side of Decluttering

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Decluttering can stir up all kinds of emotions, especially if you’re going through sentimental items or things that remind you of difficult times. I used to feel guilty about letting go of things, thinking I should keep them just in case they were “important.” But I realized that keeping things out of guilt doesn’t serve me.

I like to focus on how letting go of items that no longer serve me opens up space for things that do. If you feel emotional, it’s okay to take a break. Set a timer for 15 minutes, work through a small section, and then walk away if you need to. You’ll be surprised at how clearing physical clutter can clear mental clutter, too.

8. Underestimating the Time It Takes

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I always thought I could declutter an entire room in an hour, but I quickly learned that’s not realistic. Decluttering takes longer than expected, especially when you get caught up in making decisions about what to keep. Set realistic time limits—maybe you can tackle your closet in an hour, but don’t expect to finish the whole house in a day.

If you’re short on time, break it up into sessions. One Saturday, spend an hour on the pantry, and the next weekend, tackle the bathroom cabinets. The key is consistency.

9. Not Asking for Help

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Decluttering is a big task, and sometimes it’s easy to get bogged down by the amount of work involved. I’ve learned that asking for help—whether it’s from my partner, kids, or a friend—can make a huge difference. I often ask my husband to help with the garage or ask the kids to sort through their toys.

If you have older kids, get them involved by asking them to go through their things and decide what they don’t need anymore. Not only does it lighten the load, but it also makes the process more fun!

10. Keeping Broken or Damaged Items

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If something is broken or damaged beyond repair, it’s time to let it go. I used to keep things like an old toaster or a lamp that barely worked because I thought I could fix it “later.” Guess what? That “later” never came. It wasn’t until I did a thorough decluttering session that I realized I didn’t need to hold onto broken items.

When you come across something that’s no longer working, decide whether it’s worth fixing or if it’s better to recycle it. If you’re not sure, remember this: Broken items take up space and energy that could be better used for things that actually work.

11. Not Having Storage Solutions Ready

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Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things; it’s also about creating a home for what you want to keep. If you don’t have the right storage solutions, you might find yourself just putting things back where they were.

When I reorganized my pantry, I made sure to buy clear bins to store pasta and spices. That way, everything had a place, and it was easy to find what I needed. Invest in storage bins, shelves, or baskets before you start decluttering, so you can immediately put things in their proper place.

12. Getting Discouraged by Small Setbacks

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Decluttering isn’t always a smooth ride—sometimes things get worse before they get better. You might start a project and feel like the mess is just piling up. It happens to everyone, even me! If you hit a bump, take a step back and celebrate the small wins, like getting through one drawer or part of a closet.

It’s important to keep the momentum going, even if it’s just a little at a time. Don’t let a small setback make you feel defeated—just keep going!