Are you looking for decluttering tips that will help you kick-start a more organized 2025? I get it. If you are just standing in front of home that feels chaotic, even with the 30-day challenge as a guide, it can feel overwhelming. And when tasks feel overwhelming, we tend to quit – especially when it’s cold and gray, and we just want to read. So, I’m sharing my favorite decluttering tips to help you get started.
Decluttering Tip 1: Don’t try to declutter your entire home in one go
Talk about overwhelming! Instead of setting a goal of decluttering your entire home in one weekend, I’d recommend starting slowly. Even the team from The Home Edit isn’t doing that (at least, not on their own). Once you have done that successfully, you may have the energy and motivation for more. If not, you can call what you have done a win and make a plan for your next decluttering project (or toast to your success with some hot chocolate and a good book).
Decluttering Tip 2: Embrace mixing and matching techniques
I love Courtney Carver’s Project 333, the KonMari Method, and the 90/90 Minimalism Rule from The Minimalists. They are all great jumping-off points for when I want to declutter my closets. However, depending on what my work/life balance has been, I may have needed to combine the techniques or modify them. When we lived in a different area of Los Angeles, I needed fewer sweaters. Now, I need more because even in summer, the mornings and evenings are significantly cooler. I also am more likely to look at items over 120 days rather than 90 days. The KonMari Method has been terrific for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, but I don’t often use it for clothing (although I still use her folding techniques).
You don’t have to pick just one technique. You can easily use Project 333 for work attire, but the 90/90 Minimalism or KonMari guidelines for your casual or dressy attire. Need a big overhaul? A combo of KonMari and the Packing Party (The Minimalists) may be perfect for you. Don’t be afraid to try things until you find a method that suits your needs.
Decluttering Tip 3: Start with easy objects with no sentimental value
I know I have said this before, but one of my best decluttering tips is to start with objects without sentimental value. I just decluttered some magazines, dead batteries, and critter-decimated blueberry plants. I feel good about my progress. The decluttering went quickly.
Sentimental items push a wave of emotion over me. Suddenly, I’m crying about losing my parents, unfulfilled goals, and careers not pursued. The trip down memory lane makes the process slow, and I might be tempted to keep the items. I’ve learned my lesson. I can’t tackle those items until I have so much momentum from early organizing success that I can face them with some ease.
Decluttering Tip 4: Celebrate the wins
Don’t judge your progress harshly. If you got to day two of the decluttering challenge and stopped, there are still three items no longer weighing down your home. Celebrate that win! If you kick yourself because you didn’t get as much done as you thought you “should,” you will be less likely to take up the challenge again, or you will just feel crappy.
Allow yourself to see the positive in what you have already done for yourself. It doesn’t matter if you never do it again or if the positive emotions about your success prompt you to do more. As with all minimalism, it’s not about more. It’s about celebrating the balance that works for you.