When getting organised and letting go can feel so hard…
We see a lot of customers decluttering – whether they’re moving, downsizing or simply trying to create more space at home – and we know it isn’t always easy. Letting go can feel emotional and overwhelming, and it’s often hard to know where to start.
So we asked local expert Andrea to share some practical tips on getting organised and starting the decluttering process. Andrea, founder of You, Your House and I, supports people across the South Hams and South Devon with decluttering, home organisation and life admin.
If getting organised or letting go were easy, none of us would have ‘that overflowing drawer’ or ‘that annoying room’ or perhaps a home that ‘simply isn’t working’. Are you with me? It may be the drawer that mildly irritates you every time you open it, the room that’s become ‘the room of doom’ having somehow lost its main function, or perhaps your entire home needs a bit of streamlining and you don’t know where to start!
First of all, be kind to yourself…
More often than not, it’s not because we are lazy or disorganised, it is simply modern life.
Many of us are busier than ever, juggling family, friends, fitness, work, social commitments and digital noise, all while feeling the pressure to respond with immediacy and still make time for self-care! Add social media and the ease of online shopping into the mix and it’s no wonder our homes can be overflowing with more possessions than we were ever destined to stay on top of.
With so little free time on our hands, clutter can feel inevitable, and for those with a sentimental streak or who struggle to let things go, getting a home in order can simply feel like an ‘Instagram dream’.
Be realistic and prioritise
Understand that some tasks will be quick wins, while others will take more time – and that’s okay. You don’t have to tackle everything at once.
Start by deciding what matters most right now, what’s annoying you the most, and what would give you a real sense of satisfaction. It might be clearing the kitchen sides, organising your wardrobe, finally tackling that troublesome drawer, or simply addressing coats and shoes in your hallway.
Small, achievable goals will spur you on – and remember, progress (no matter how small) is progress.
Understand your space
Being realistic about the space you have and what you can comfortably live with and maintain is a key part of creating a calm and organised home. After all, you only have so many cupboards, shelves, and storage areas available!
Deciding what to keep and what to let go of can feel challenging, and temporary self-storage can play a key role in easing that pressure. It provides both a physical and mental ‘breathing space’ while you work through your belongings at a pace that suits you best. It can help keep your home decluttered, organised, and free from overwhelm, giving you the time and space to determine what no longer serves you and how best to move items on.
Getting started…
- Focus on the time and start small
Dedicate a specified amount of time to a small (ish) task – it might be 10 minutes, a half hour, an hour, or more. Set a timer and see how you get on. Focus on a small achievable task – a single drawer, a sideboard, or a small cupboard rather than an entire room. - Start with low-emotion areas
Spaces like the hallway, the bathroom, a utility room or kitchen are ideal places to begin. They’re practical everyday spaces and are usually not dominated by emotional items.
- Focus on what truly works for you
Simply keep what you use, what makes life easier, what makes you happy and enjoy letting the rest go. The less you hold onto the less there will be to organise!
- Know when to stop
Completing a task is more important than starting several and finishing none. Only take on a new task if you know you have the energy to finish it. Stop while you still feel capable and take a moment to admire what you have achieved.
When letting go feels hard…
- Acknowledge the emotion
Guilt, nostalgia, or “what ifs” are completely normal. Feeling attached to something is completely natural and letting it go doesn’t have to mean you are doing a family member or friend a disservice. - Separate the memory from the item
Memories live with you, not objects. Taking a photo of an item or keeping a small part of it can often help you hold on to the memory while letting the object go. - Ask yourself better questions
Switch “Will I ever need this?” or “What if I need this?” for “If I lost it, would I buy it again?” and consider what you’d do if you didn’t have it but felt like you needed it. Often, the situation is unlikely, and even if it did happen, there’s usually a simple solution. Knowing this can make letting go feel much easier. - Create a ‘maybe’ zone
Some decisions simply need time. Setting items aside as ‘maybes can ease indecision and relieve any immediate emotional pressure or worry about making the ‘wrong choice’. Revisit your ‘maybe zone’ when you feel ready – for some people that’s hours or days later, for others it might be much longer. - Moving items on
Don’t let your decision-making process be hampered by thinking about where an item will ultimately end up. Once you’ve decided you don’t need it, physically removing it from your home can be incredibly liberating. You can donate it, recycle it, sell it or even put it in temporary storage; the key is getting it out of your immediate space. Seeing it gone makes it easier to move on emotionally and a decision on its final destination will feel much less daunting. - Congratulate yourself and notice what you don’t miss
Take a moment to celebrate what you’ve achieved. Often the biggest reassurance comes after letting go – noticing what you don’t miss will boost your confidence and proves you can trust yourself with future decisions.
