We’ve all been there—standing in the middle of a messy house, feeling completely stuck. You want a clean, peaceful home, but the clutter is so overwhelming that you don’t even know where to start. So, you don’t.
First things first: take a deep breath. You’re not alone in this, and you’re not lazy. Clutter happens—especially when life is busy or stressful. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to tackle everything at once. You just need to start somewhere, and I’m going to help you do that.
Start Small—Really Small

When your house is a mess, it’s tempting to think you need a full weekend to deal with it. But the bigger the task seems, the more overwhelming it becomes. Instead of trying to clean the whole house, pick one tiny area to start.
Pick one small area to start:
- A single drawer
- One kitchen counter
- The coffee table
- A laundry basket full of clutter
Once you tackle that one small spot, you’ll feel a little relief—and that momentum will help you keep going.
Do a Quick 10-Minute Reset

Before you dive into decluttering, do a super quick cleanup. Grab any obvious trash, put dirty dishes in the sink, and gather items that don’t belong in the room into one basket. You’re not organizing yet—just clearing the way so you can see what’s in front of you.
Before diving into deep decluttering, give yourself a quick win:
- Set a 10-minute timer
- Walk around and grab obvious trash (empty cups, receipts, junk mail)
- Put dirty dishes in the sink
- Gather out-of-place items into a single laundry basket (you’ll deal with them later)
Choose Your Decluttering Style

Everyone has their own style of cleaning. Some people like to work in short bursts, setting a timer and going all out for 15 minutes. Others prefer to focus on one specific area until it’s completely done. Pick whatever method feels right for you, because the best way to clean is the one that actually gets you moving.
- The 15-Minute Rule – Set a timer and declutter as much as you can. When it goes off, stop or take a break.
- The One-Area Focus – Pick one space (your desk, closet, or entryway) and stick with it until it’s done.
- The One-Category Purge – Focus on one type of clutter at a time (clothes, expired food, paperwork).
There’s no “right” way to do this—just start somewhere.
Use the “Five Things Rule” to Sort Your Stuff

If you get stuck deciding what to do with all the clutter, try breaking it down into five simple categories:
- Trash – Anything broken, expired, or useless
- Donate – Things in good shape that you don’t use
- Keep – Stuff that belongs in the space
- Relocate – Things that belong elsewhere in the house
- Recycle – Papers, plastics, or electronics to dispose of properly
If it’s in good shape but you don’t use it, donate it. Keep only what truly belongs in that space, and if something needs to go elsewhere in the house, put it in a separate pile instead of running back and forth. Recycling is for old papers, plastics, and other items you can dispose of responsibly.
Tackle the Messiest Spots First

Some areas make your home look messy even if the rest of it is fairly clean. Clearing these spaces first will give you an instant visual boost and make the whole house feel tidier right away.
Tackle these first for instant visual relief:
- Kitchen counters
- Entryway/drop zone
- Coffee table and side tables
- Nightstands
Stop Holding Onto “Someday” Items

Be honest with yourself about the things you’re keeping just in case. Are you really going to wear those jeans that haven’t fit in years? Do you need three sets of measuring cups when you only ever use one?
If you haven’t touched something in the past year, ask yourself whether you’d buy it again today. If the answer is no, it’s probably time to let it go.
Keep Clutter from Creeping Back In

Once you start making progress, the last thing you want is for clutter to pile up again. One simple trick is the “one in, one out” rule—whenever you bring something new into the house, get rid of something old.
If you buy a new pair of shoes, donate an old pair. If you get a new coffee mug, let go of one you don’t use. It’s a small habit that can make a huge difference over time.
Create Drop Zones for Everyday Items
Clutter often builds up because things don’t have a designated place. Creating “drop zones” can help keep everyday messes under control. If clutter keeps piling up, it’s because things don’t have a home.
Fix that by creating intentional “drop zones”:
- A basket by the door for keys, wallets, and sunglasses
- A small bin in the kitchen for incoming mail
- A laundry basket in every bedroom for clothes (instead of the floor)
Little systems like these stop clutter before it starts.
Fill a Trash Bag and a Donation Box

Sometimes, you just need to see quick progress. Grab a trash bag and walk through your house, throwing out anything that’s obviously garbage. Then grab a box and fill it with items you don’t need but that someone else could use.
Once it’s full, put it in your car so you can drop it off at a donation center the next time you’re out. The physical act of removing clutter from your space will help you feel like you’re making progress, even if the whole house isn’t clean yet.
Don’t Overthink It—Just Start

It’s easy to fall into the trap of overanalyzing where to begin, how long it will take, or whether you’re decluttering “the right way.” But here’s the truth—there is no perfect way to clean up your home. The longer you spend thinking about it, the more overwhelming it feels.
Instead of trying to plan the ideal strategy, take action—any action. Pick up the first piece of trash you see and toss it. Grab the nearest item that doesn’t belong in the room and put it away. Wipe down a single surface. Fold a blanket. Small actions lead to momentum, and momentum is what breaks that paralyzed feeling.
Give Yourself Grace

Decluttering isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about shifting your mindset. And one of the most important shifts you can make is letting go of the pressure to be perfect.
Your home didn’t become cluttered overnight, and it won’t magically transform in a single day. And that’s completely okay. Life happens. Things pile up. Sometimes, survival mode takes over, and cleaning just isn’t the priority. But the fact that you’re here, reading this, means you’re ready to take action. That’s what matters.
Instead of feeling frustrated by how much work there is to do, focus on every little bit of progress. Every item you remove, every space you clear, is a step toward the home you want. Even if you only clean for five minutes today, that’s five minutes more than yesterday. That counts. That’s enough.