The 7 Biggest Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid
I must admit that decluttering is tough. Making mistakes at some point is part of the decluttering journey.
In this article, I’ll share the most common decluttering mistakes to avoid and, most importantly, what to do instead.
Decluttering can be both liberating and overwhelming.
Removing the excess and getting rid of clutter could help to reduce our stress and anxiety levels and improve productivity. On the other hand, the decluttering process can also be very emotional which not everyone can handle.
Knowing what decluttering mistakes you need to avoid helps you declutter more effectively.
Whether you’re just beginning to declutter your home, feeling overwhelmed by clutter and mess, or have been attempting to declutter but failed, the following decluttering tips and guide will help you clear clutter, even when it feels impossible.
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7 Big Decluttering Mistakes To Avoid and What To Do Instead
You are not alone if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or sentimental during the decluttering process.
Here are 7 things not to do when decluttering. Try to avoid these decluttering mistakes, and if you come across any of them, utilize the solutions we’ve provided.
Decluttering mistake #1: Keeping things “just in case” one day you might use them
How do you decide what to keep or toss when decluttering?
Many of us have been making decluttering mistakes of keeping things “just in case”. You know you have things you don’t need or use, but keep. Doing this leads to a more “just in case” clutter.
Holding on to items “just in case” is natural and common. You may feel it’s a waste to get rid of things that are in good condition, even if you don’t need or use them.
You feel more secure when knowing those items are on hand and don’t need to spend money to replace them “someday”.
The fear of scarcity makes you hold on to “just in case” items and keep accumulating them.
With more and more “just in case” items accumulating over time, it can create clutter and mess and make it harder to find items when they are needed.
Honestly, when I was a beginner in decluttering, I also made this decluttering mistake.
I didn’t declutter thoroughly. I held on to things because I didn’t want to waste money. However, I didn’t realize keeping unused things can also lead to waste.
They took up my valuable space and the clutter made me feel overwhelmed, I often couldn’t find things and ended up buying duplicates.
Not only did the “just in case” clutter occupy space and waste money, but it also caused overwhelming and emotional stress.
Storing too many things “just in case” can affect the results of your decluttering effort and you will find yourself still being surrounded by clutter.
It may end up that you are just moving the items around the house without making real decluttering progress.
Keeping things you rarely use, never use, or might use “someday” not only takes up space but also continually takes your time and energy to clean and organize them.
More “just in case” clutter would discourage you from working on your decluttering progress.
Related Decluttering Checklist:
100 Things to Get Rid of Right Now (Free Printable Checklist)
What to do instead:
Over the years, I’ve learned to be ruthless when it comes to decluttering. If you want to succeed at decluttering, get rid of things that no longer serve a purpose, add value to your life, or bring you joy.
Purge the items you don’t need, use, or love. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you declutter and make decisions easier:
- Do I need it? Do I have another item that serves the same purpose?
- Have I worn or used it in the past year?
- Is it a duplicate? Keep the only one that you love and use and purge the duplicates.
- Does it still fit my lifestyle?
- Do I love it? Does it bring joy to me? If yes, do I have space for it?
If you’re a decluttering beginner, you might find it challenging to part with items in good condition, even if you don’t currently use or need them. Many decluttering beginners experience this, and I think it’s completely understandable.
Consider placing those “just in case” items in a “maybe” box, and revisit it after 6 months or a year to see if you still remember or use them.
The downside of the “maybe” box is that it can cause you to spend more time decluttering your home because you may end up keeping unused items and relocating or hiding them.
However, this experience can also help you learn and eventually become more decisive and ruthless in your decluttering effort over time.
The goal should be to minimize the contents of the “maybe” box. If you keep everything “just in case,” with the hope that you might use it someday, it defeats the purpose of decluttering. Your home may never achieve a clutter-free or organized state.
In my home, I’ve placed a bag in my teen’s closet for the clothes she doesn’t wear but are in good condition. If she doesn’t come back to look for anything after a couple of months, I would take the bag out for donation.
Decluttering mistake #2: Decluttering without a plan or goal
Decluttering without a plan and a clear vision of what you want to achieve makes it easy to get overwhelmed and lose motivation.
Decluttering isn’t exactly fun, especially when dealing with a messy room.
If you don’t plan it out and set aside time, chances are you won’t get around to it, even when you’ve got some free time.
Avoid this mistake because when there is no timeline or schedule in place, making progress in decluttering becomes challenging.
Moreover, without a plan of action, you lack direction for your next steps. You’re likely shuffling the stuff around the house rather than clearing the clutter.
What to do instead:
Knowing your “why” is important before starting your decluttering journey. Decluttering is not fun for many people, so understanding why you want to declutter can motivate you during challenging moments.
Keep your goals in mind. Are you aiming for a clutter-free home, seeking to create a peaceful space, or perhaps wanting to transform your space into an extra bedroom?
Before you begin decluttering, setting goals and creating a plan can give you a sense of purpose, direction, and motivation.
Visualize how you will use the space once it’s decluttered. Having a clear purpose helps you keep focused and committed.
The first step in effective decluttering is to write a detailed plan. Having a written plan can help you stay organized and provide a sense of direction throughout the process.
Create a decluttering plan and stick to it. This plan should outline which areas of your home or workspace you want to tackle and break them down into manageable tasks.
You will feel less overwhelmed by focusing on one area at a time. It also helps to avoid burnout and maintain momentum throughout the decluttering process.
Don’t forget to set a timeline for your decluttering project and schedule time to declutter regularly. Stay focused on your goals, and tackle the decluttering process gradually until it’s complete.
Being consistent is important. You have to schedule times and write them down on your calendar. It prevents you from procrastinating and holds you accountable.
Related Decluttering Tips:
How to Declutter When You’re Overwhelmed by a Messy House
Decluttering mistake #3: Pulling everything out and not finishing
This is one of the common decluttering mistakes many individuals make and you might have this experience too.
You empty everything from the closets and wardrobes, attempting to sort through it all, but then realize that you don’t have enough time to finish.
Perhaps you need to pick up the kids, prepare meals, or handle other responsibilities, leaving you with pulled-out items that are only half-sorted.
Often, people start decluttering with a burst of enthusiasm and excitement to see the instant results. However, not having an effective system for decluttering can create a bigger mess than what you started with.
What to do instead:
First, you need to set a timer. Allocate enough amount of time for the decluttering session. For example, if you know you will leave in an hour, set a 30-minute timer to declutter.
Tackle one space at a time. Don’t pull out everything from a wardrobe and create a mountain of stuff. Declutter a smaller section like a single drawer to keep you focused and productive. This way, you can finish what you start.
In case of any unexpected interruption, you can deal with a small amount of items and not leave a big mess.
Sort items into four categories, and prepare 3 bins and 1 black trash bag and label them: Keep, Donate, Trash, Maybe. When you declutter and organize things this way, you won’t leave piles of stuff on the floor after you declutter. That means less mess.
Remove items you don’t need or use, but don’t force yourself to let go of things you truly love.
Decluttering mistake #4: Not dealing with the unwanted stuff immediately
Do not let the bags of donated items or unneeded piles sit in the house for too long.
Chances are, family members or even you might second-guess the items you are getting rid of and reconsider whether those items should have been donated.
Decluttering takes time and energy. Moving donated items out of the house quickly can make the decluttering process more manageable and faster.
Leaving unwanted items unattended is a kind of visual clutter that reminds you the space is not decluttered yet.
Not only can’t you experience the instant satisfaction of a spacious living space, but it could also lead to a loss of momentum to stay motivated and keep decluttering, potentially slowing down your overall decluttering progress.
What to do instead:
Avoid this decluttering mistake by getting the decluttered items out of the house as soon as possible. Take out the trash right away.
Create a designated area for things that need to be sold. Snap quality pictures first and list them online within your timeline. It helps to prevent procrastination.
It’s nice to sell your stuff and make money from it. However, it takes extra time and energy to complete the process. You need to take pictures, list items online, communicate and negotiate with potential buyers, and manage transactions. Consider all the above if you decide to sell your stuff.
I prefer donating my unwanted stuff. I usually give away decluttered items to my friends first if they’re interested. If not, I then drive the donation bags to the local charity.
Donating makes the decluttering process easier and is much quicker to help remove unwanted items out of the house.
Decluttering mistake #5: Organizing before you start decluttering
The other common decluttering mistake many people make without realizing it is jumping into organizing before decluttering.
They keep everything they want and put it all into bins or baskets, thinking about this kind of organizing can clean up the clutter. However, this approach is inefficient and ineffective.
The problem with organizing unused, “just in case”, or broken items without decluttering first is that you’re just moving clutter around the house instead of eliminating it.
As a result, things pile up easily, creating more mess and making it hard to find anything when you want it.
Additionally, buying more storage bins or containers to hold that excess stuff doesn’t solve the problem either. It just adds to the clutter in your home and wastes your time and effort.
Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll realize you don’t need that many storage boxes.
What to do instead:
Do not buy any organizing products before you’ve decluttered. Focus on getting rid of things you don’t need or use first. This will save you time, money, and energy in the long run.
Be ruthless when decluttering your home. Keep only what you truly need or love, and let go of things you’re not using or that no longer add value to your life. Trust me, you’ll feel lighter once you’ve cleared out all that excess stuff.
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to start thinking about organizing. You’ll have a clearer vision of what you have, what storage solutions you need, and what works best for your space.
Remember, declutter first, organize later. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier.
Related Minimalist Organization Tips:
7 Organization Tips for Creating a Minimalist Home
Decluttering mistake #6: Keep buying things you don’t need
In this consumer-driven society, we own too much stuff. We always have more material possessions than we need.
Constantly shopping for things we don’t need requires more time and effort to clean and organize. Furthermore, it occupies and clutter our valuable spaces.
We don’t want a cluttered home as clutter causes chaos and stress.
Most often, the end goal of decluttering our homes allows us to free up physical and mental space. So getting rid of stuff that we don’t need or use is often the purpose of decluttering.
When you’re on the decluttering journey, the unnecessary purchases brought into your home make the decluttering process harder.
Every item needs a designated space. Before making an excessive purchase, consider whether you have room for it in your home.
If you find that you don’t have space to give your new item a ‘home,’ it can lead to even more clutter. So, remember to avoid this decluttering mistake and prevent unnecessary clutter accumulation in your home.
What to do instead:
First of all, ask yourself why you want to declutter your home. Understanding the ‘why’ behind decluttering can help you eliminate excess belongings and stay motivated.
To reduce clutter, stop your impulse shopping habit. Be mindful of what you shop for and bring into your home.
Ask yourself whether you truly need the item or if it’s just a want. Delay purchases by setting a waiting period of 3 days or a week to see if you still want it.
To stop impulse purchases, avoid social influence and tempting promotions from retailers.
Intentional shopping helps you focus on essential purchases and avoid impulse spending on items that may clutter your home.
Adopt the ‘one in, one out’ decluttering rule. For every new item you bring into your home, you must remove another one. This is a mindful approach that helps to avoid the accumulation of stuff and keep clutter under control.
Decluttering mistake #7: Decluttering your partner’s stuff without asking them
Another common decluttering mistake that people make is decluttering their spouse’s belongings without their permission.
I know, it’s natural to throw away stuff when we see the items are not worth keeping. However, when decluttering your partner’s belongings, you must ask them before purging.
The decluttering process can be emotional when it comes to sentimental attachment. Decluttering your partner’s possessions without their consent can create resentment. They would feel disrespected, which makes them more reluctant to declutter.
Understand that everyone has different priorities and values regarding their personal belongings, the things that look cluttered to you may have sentimental value or be important to your partner. This applies to shared possessions as well.
Failure to ask before throwing away someone’s stuff or shared items can hurt both parties’ feelings. Moreover, it can lead to conflicts and destroy the trust in the relationship.
What to do instead:
Avoid tackling your partner’s belongings during the decluttering process. Instead, focus on your own items and begin with small areas such as a junk drawer, nightstand, or bathroom drawer, as these places usually hold items with less emotional or sentimental attachment.
As you succeed in these mini decluttering tasks, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle larger areas throughout the house.
Consistent decluttering and minimizing of your possessions will be noticeable to your partner. The benefits of a clutter-free environment will naturally influence them to become more willing to declutter their own stuff.
Set realistic decluttering goals, have an honest conversation with your partner about decluttering preferences, and establish boundaries for the process.
Respect each other’s priorities, encourage one another throughout the decluttering journey, and celebrate progress together.
Final thoughts
Decluttering is hard, especially when decluttering an overwhelming space. It’s not just about clearing physical clutter, there’s often an emotional attachment involved as well.
Having too much stuff at home, lack of motivation, not knowing how to decide what to keep or throw away and past failure end up feeling hesitant to declutter.
Some of us might feel like giving up on it before even trying.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all method for decluttering as we have different needs, priorities, and lifestyles. However, avoiding the decluttering mistakes that others have made can help declutter confidently and effectively.
Knowing what not to do when decluttering can also save time, money, and energy, making the process faster and easier.
I hope you found this decluttering guide helpful. Now, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you have insights or experiences, please share them in the comments below.
Happy decluttering!
More decluttering tips and inspiration
100 Easy Things to Get Rid of Right Now
12 Decluttering Methods When You Have Too Much Stuff
9 Best Tips to Get Motivated to Declutter When Overwhelmed by Mess
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