5 Simple Ways to Keep the Decluttering Energy Moving! (And Avoid Decision Fatigue)
Have you ever been happily decluttering, whether alone or with a professional organizer, when you suddenly feel exhausted and unable to continue?
This happens to all of us at some time – even to me!
But why? Because of decision fatigue.
When you’re decluttering, you’re making decisions about each and every item you handle. Sometimes these decisions are so quick that you hardly notice them, and others take time and deliberation. Nonetheless, that’s a lot of decisions. This is especially true when it comes to paper. When going through a paper pile, you might be making hundreds of decisions in the span of an hour. No wonder you’re tired!
Take heart. There are ways to lessen the draining effects of decision fatigue and find the strength to keep your energy moving.
Ask yourself these 5 simple questions to minimize decision fatigue and maximize your energy.
1. What is your most productive time of day?
Our energy waxes and wanes throughout the day. Some people (like me!) are most energetic and focused in the morning, while others are their best at night. Be mindful of the state of your energy when you decide to take on a decluttering and organizing project, for it will impact your decision-making stamina. If it’s during a low energy time, you might set a timer and stop decluttering when the timer goes off so you don’t exhaust yourself!
2. What is your “clutter affinity”?
Most of us have an easy time making decisions about certain categories. I, for example, can organize closets till the cows come home without feeling the least bit tired! In fact, I feel energized and excited. On the other hand, slogging through personal papers wears me out after an hour and a half. Consider what you enjoy decluttering, and let yourself go for it first so that you can experience success! When it comes to the categories that tire you and make you feel overwhelmed, a professional can support you in discovering ways to get the work done.
3. What does your body need?
It’s important to take care of your body’s needs before, during, and after decluttering and organizing. Did you have a good protein-rich breakfast? Have you had enough to drink? Decision-making requires fuel for the body. Keep a bottle of water handy while decluttering too!
Wear comfortable clothing so that you will feel at ease. Put on your “soft clothes!”
4. Do you want to have a plan?
It’s not always necessary to have a plan before you start decluttering, but deciding beforehand what you’re going to declutter and for how long can cut down on decision fatigue. With a plan, you don’t spend any energy deciding what to do or where – because you decided that in advance!
If you have identified the amount of time you plan to work, you can reduce perfectionism and be sure to take breaks throughout your process.
If you have plenty of free time and prefer to just “go with the flow” and not stress about the outcome, that can be lovely as well.
5. Can you simplify by having criteria?
Establishing criteria for what to keep and let go can cut way down on the number of decisions you have to make in the moment. For example: have you worn it in the last year? If no, let it go! Did you forget you owned it? Either put it in a place where your most active clothing lives or let it go. If you have a tough time establishing criteria, consider working with a professional organizer to help you establish your own personal criteria. After all, it’s our job!
Keeping your decluttering energy moving during a pandemic can be challenging, to say the least.
You do not have to get through this alone!
Join our free and private Facebook Group and be a part of a community of other women each on decluttering and organizing journey! Stay motivated and get support in combating isolation by joining a supportive community of others with similar goals.
You’re absolutely right about decision fatigue putting a dent in you when decluttering. I get more wiped out from it than my actual running workouts because of what it does to me mentally. That’s why I can really only do it for a little bit each day. Otherwise, I’m dragging!
You are not the only one, Tara! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Isn’t that so interesting, Tara how much decluttering can wear you out? Great observation and I am impressed at how well you know yourself! 🙂
I love that mentioned the incredible benefits of having criteria! Sometimes the criteria leads us to getting rid of things, but such criteria can also help us figure out what should be relocated, used up, sold, donated, or whatever. Criteria help minimize the emotionality of the decision-making, which definitely alleviates the fatigue. Great post!
Seana, I love your suggestions on how to expand the way the criteria can serve us. I’m going to do some reflecting on that, and consider ways of incorporating it into my time with clients, and maybe even with myself.
Seana, Thanks for pointing out that criteria can help reduce the emotional charge! I hadn’t thought of it that way but it really is true!
I’m right there with you on decision fatigue. And paper can be so discouraging because each piece of paper requires a decision and after an hour or so the visual difference on your work area can seem minimal.
setting a timer for a specific amount of time and knowing that you will stop then can make you hang on for a while; Then reward yourself.
Yes Jonda, it can be hard to see the progress you’ve made when working with papers. But using a timer and knowing how long you stuck with it is a good way to assess success.
Jonda, You are so right about decision making with paper! So many decisions and do little to show for it visually. 🙁
Perfect tips! I love the way you describe the process and the fact that organizing can be exhausting – particularly when sorting through stacks of paper.
You are so right that papers can be particularly tiring. So many decisions. I like to use Barbara Hemphill‘s File Act Toss protocol as a starting point.
Yes Diane, it is the paper that will drag folks down very time. AND it is a perfect candidate for using criteria that allows someone else to help you out. 🙂 Thanks for your comment.
Decision fatigue can be a powerful obstacle for so many clients. (And I am proof-positive that attempting to do anything in the morning is pointless. No clients and no decluttering for me in the mornings. 1 a.m., my brain is sharp. 8 a.m., fuzzy!)
And I love that you accented the importance of setting the tone with the body. I always advise new clients to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch before we work together, and to wear comfy clothes. In over 21 years, I’ve never had anyone open the door wearing a tux or a ball gown, but sometimes they take my advice more seriously after an hour or two and go off to change into more comfortable shoes!)
Thanks so much for your thoughts Julie! 🙂
And thanks for reminding us that everybody has different body rhythms and times when they are more alert than others.
Yes, Julie, the time of day and taking care of the basic needs of rest and food can really influence how much gets accomplished. I DO work early in the mornings so my clients usually open the door in their casual clothes (sometimes in their PJs, which is A-OK with me! – just wish I could wear mine!)
I love that you encourage people to explore their best way of doing things for themselves and to focus on what they’re already good at in order to push forward.
Thanks!