You know the feeling: you walk into your bedroom, your kitchen, or that storage space in your basement, and you feel completely overwhelmed.

There’s so much STUFF! How will you find those shoes you want to wear? How will you get to the blender? And what on EARTH is even IN the basement!? (Watch the video to find out!)

The problem with clutter in our lives, like clutter in our closets, is it arrives one piece at a time, never in basketfuls. It’s not too difficult to refuse a huge, overwhelming load of additional responsibilities; it’s tough, however, to decline ‘just one more.’ – Benson Wright

When you’re at the point of getting professional decluttering and organizing support, you’re probably familiar with clutter overwhelm. At this point you’re frustrated with the current situation and eager to embrace a new, clutter-free reality.

But you know it took a long time for the clutter to accumulate, so you might wonder: will I EVER be done decluttering!? 

When Is Decluttering Over?

It is my belief that you should never be done decluttering… or even want to be! Of course, this comes from a person who has a passion for decluttering 😊

But I understand that when you ask this question, it is not a broad philosophical one. You want to know how to move through the stuck state you are currently experiencing. 

I know you would love to hear that you will be “done” with your decluttering journey in XYZ weeks or sessions.

This is the HONEST answer: “it depends.”

What does it depend on? Here are a few factors:

• How much clutter do you have?
• How long has it been present in your space?
• How emotionally attached you are to your things?
• How quickly do you make decisions?
• Do you have anyone to support you in your decluttering and organizing goals?
• How much time do you have to devote to decluttering and organizing?

Your answers to these questions will be unique to you, but no matter what they are you can start your decluttering process now.

1. Create a Vision to Declutter

It is possible for everyone to decrease their clutter, increase their organization, and live a life full of ease and joy. The first step is to create a vision for your space: so you have a clear vision that makes you feel excited and energized to tackle your clutter?

• Do you want empty surfaces, or artfully arranged items on your tables and counters?
• Do you want art on the walls, or blank spaces?

Start by writing down some notes, drawing some pictures, or pinning rooms you love on Pinterest. This exercise will help you define what “done” looks like!

Use our free Decluttering Guidelines to navigate your way from cluttered mess to decluttered haven!

2. Develop Mindful Decluttering Skills

Have you heard the adage, “it gets worse before it gets better”? It’s more accurate to say it looks or feels worse before it gets better. And that’s okay!

It’s normal to run out of steam while you’re organizing. That’s why we never schedule organizing sessions for more than four hours, and we always encourage you to take snack, stretching, and movement.

Do you have the skills you need to move through any challenges you may encounter? Skills like:

• If an uncomfortable emotion comes up, do you have a self-care routine to turn to?
• If you feel physically fatigued, are you comfortable asking for help?
• If you get overwhelmed or stuck, do you know what to do next?

If you find yourself struggling to declutter and organize, it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong or because you’re “bad” at it. It’s normal to hit a roadblock now and then.

That’s we recommend hiring a professional organizer or asking a friend to help you. It’s valuable to have a “body double” to help do the work, and the perspective of someone less attached to your things than you are.

At the same time, it’s important that the person helping you does not make you feel bad about what you want to keep or let go. Our highly-trained organizers are non-judgmental and focused on supporting you, exactly where you are right now.

Too Much Organizing?

There is such thing as “too much” decluttering and organizing, sometimes called compulsive decluttering. If you or someone you know can’t stop decluttering, or feels addicted to the decluttering and organizing process, we recommend seeking professional help.

When Will You Be Done?

This is the exciting part: you get to decide when you are finished decluttering and organizing!

It’s true on the small and large scale. As you declutter and organize, use mindfulness to note when you feel tired. That is a perfect indication that you are done for the day! You might also make a commitment to yourself to stop after you complete a certain project, such as decluttering a closet (just make sure the project you choose isn’t too large for one session!).

The choice is yours on the large scale too. You get to decide when you’ve reached your vision for your home. Remember that your vision may change as you go. It’s perfectly alright to tweak your vision as you see the transformation of decluttering and organizing. Mindful awareness to your thoughts and feelings will guide you.

As you move forward in your decluttered space you may find that short “bursts” of decluttering are helpful for maintenance. This is a great habit to build into your routine. Learn how in Get Organized in Five Minutes or Less.

In your experience, how do you decide when you’re done decluttering? How do you create a vision for your space? Share in the comments!

Discover more ways to mindfully declutter your home or office here! >>

Discover more ways to mindfully organize your home or office here! >>