‘Stop organizing.’ It’s a phrase that might feel counterintuitive, especially when you’re striving for an organized lifestyle. But here’s the truth: constantly rearranging and storing your stuff without letting go of anything only masks the real issue.
That Sunday afternoon spent ‘organizing’ often feels productive, doesn’t it? Shuffling things into bins, proudly labeling containers, maybe even color-coding a shelf or two. But then, somehow, the clutter just… is still a problem. If this cycle sounds familiar, it might be time to stop organizing the chaos and start actually removing it.
Let’s talk about why and how to stop the constant cycle of organizing all.the.things. Along the way, we’ll cover a few declutter tips that I hope will give you some real decluttering inspiration to take positive action.
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Why You Need to Stop Organizing
Many of us get caught in the trap of confusing organizing with decluttering. We invest time, energy, and often a LOT of money into managing our stuff, buying clever containers, and devising intricate systems, instead of addressing the core issue: we simply own too much.
Those matching baskets and sleek organizing systems look great on social media, it’s true. But pretty storage can be deceptive. It makes clutter look neat and tidy, tricking you into keeping things you might otherwise let go. Are those pretty organization ideas – even the DIY versions – actually helping, or just hiding the problem?
We’ve been taught that the most important step to making our homes look nice is to ‘get organized.’ We stand in a room and look around at everything, then we start making lists of ways we can arrange and store all of that stuff in an eye-pleasing way.
Organizing provides a very temporary sense of control over a messy house, a fleeting illusion of order. But it doesn’t tackle the root cause. If you have too much stuff for your space or your lifestyle, no amount of arranging will fix it permanently. It’s like putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches. You’re just managing the symptoms.
Think about the time and energy you spend constantly tidying, shuffling, and reorganizing items you rarely use. Plus, those ‘solutions’ still get dusty and need cleaning! It’s exhausting.
I used to think getting organized at home meant finding the perfect bins for everything. It took me YEARS to realize I was just finding more ways to store things I didn’t truly need or use.
Isn’t the goal an organized lifestyle that feels lighter and requires less maintenance? Real clutter control honestly starts with deciding what doesn’t belong there at all. Organizing arranges what you keep; decluttering is the essential first step of deciding what to keep.
Let’s talk about why focusing on decluttering your home first is the only way to create an organized home that stays that way with less effort.
What Decluttering Really Means
True decluttering and organizing goes beyond just straightening piles, grouping like items ‘so you can see what you have’ and then pretend like you’re going to get rid of some of it (even though you really probably won’t), or making things look presentable. It involves making conscious decisions about the things you own and how they affect the way you live. It’s about asking yourself the necessary decluttering questions and acting on the answers.
The result isn’t just a neater space, but fewer possessions overall, freeing up both physical room and mental energy. This is HUGE, especially if you often tend to feel overwhelmed or overthink all.the.things all.the.time.
Okay, so you might realize that it’s important to declutter. But in your mind and your body, it just seems like it will be SO hard to declutter all.the.things. Maybe it seems like more effort than just buying more bins to fill up – even though your brain knows that’s not really sustainable forever. Plus, how do you even start – or FINISH – decluttering when you’ve always thought in terms of organizing?
Learning how to declutter instead of organize is like strengthening a muscle. It might feel tough initially, but it gets easier. Let’s go through a few steps to get you started and keep you going…
Decluttering Mindset: Prepare to Let Go Instead of Organize
Letting go of the ‘organizing’ mindset can be surprisingly difficult. We hold onto all.the.things – and even those pretty organizing things – for so many reasons: guilt over money spent, sentimental attachment, fear of needing it ‘someday,’ or simply because we’ve always had it. Understanding these emotional ties is one step to overcoming them when facing a cluttered home.
Believe me, I get it. Releasing things, even ones we don’t use – and maybe don’t even really WANT – can feel uncomfortable. However, you MUST give yourself permission to let go of things that served a past version of you but don’t fit the life you live or want to live today. This mental shift is crucial if you want to become minimalist in your approach, even if you have no intention of adopting the official label or getting rid of everything.
Along with that, connect with your deeper motivation. What would a simplified life look like for you? Less stress? More free time? Less cleaning? A calmer environment that feels like a sanctuary? Knowing your ‘why’ provides powerful decluttering inspiration.
This process might also involve challenging long-held consumer habits. Start thinking about how to stop wanting things you don’t truly need. Practice gratitude for what you have. Shift your focus from seeking more to appreciating the value in owning just enough.
Practice mindful consumption and stop buying things impulsively. You may even want to try a no-spend month to help you realize that you need less than you think and you probably already have too much stuff.
The most important thing to remember is that you are NOT a victim of clutter and you don’t have to be a slave to constant, expensive organzing projects.
Your Stop Organizing and Start Decluttering Action Plan
Okay, mindset adjusted, ready for action? Let’s talk practical steps for your home decluttering mission so you can finally stop organizing all.the.time.
Take Pictures: Sometimes, what we THINK a space looks like is different than reality. Take pictures of all the spaces in your home, both the ‘organized’ and cluttered areas. As you work through the decluttering process, you’ll want to refer back to these images and notice how things change and how your thinking changes.
Start Small, Really Small: Don’t try to tackle the whole house at once. Pick one drawer, one shelf, or even just a small pretty bin of stuff. The goal is to build momentum through slow decluttering – clearing out 10 items or 10 minutes a day – and avoid burnout as you purge the clutter.
Grab this printable list of 62 things you can easily declutter right away.
Don’t Organize: Remember, your goal is to get rid of stuff, not to group and arrange things. I call this decluttering in layers, where you’re first looking to pick up and let go of trash and things you know you don’t REALLY need or want. Don’t spend time thinking about anything else or what you might do to keep all.the.things. Clarity will come as you let go.
Ask the Right Questions: For each item, ask questions like: Do I use this? Do I truly love it? Does it serve a real purpose in my life right now? Does it align with the life I want? Honest answers are your best guide.
Go for Easy Wins First: Build confidence by starting with areas that hold less emotional attachment, like the bathroom cabinet or the pantry area, before moving on to decluttering sentimental items or all of the clothes you keep making excuses to hold onto.
Don’t Skip the ‘Organized’ Areas: Just because your stuff is in a bin or nicely contained, doesn’t mean you can ignore those things.
Use Simple Strategies: Try some effective or unique decluttering hacks like the one-in-two-out rule and other ways to amp up your results without a lot of extra effort.
Stay Budget-Friendly: Decluttering is free. Don’t rush out to buy ANY more organizing supplies until you know exactly what you need to store. Often, repurposed containers work perfectly, keeping organization on a budget. Focus first on the act of letting go and you’ll likely find you already have MORE than enough bins and organizers to handle what’s left.
Seriously Organized = Seriously Decluttered: You can’t get seriously organized – truly, deeply seriously organized – until you remove the unnecessary items taking up space. And, honestly, some of those unnecessary things might be the ‘organizing solutions’ you thought you needed. Decluttering paves the way for simplicity and easier decision-making.
Something that will always stick in my mind from many years ago when I first heard of FlyLady: I can’t remember the exact words now, but the idea was that when you get to the point where you’re donating emptied plastic bins from your home, you’re REALLY winning the decluttering game. Believe me, it’s FAR more exciting than you might expect and you WILL feel more organized!
Inspiration to Trade Organizing Overload for Decluttering Freedom
The constant cycle of organizing and reorganizing clutter is exhausting. It’s time to stop organizing what you don’t need and embrace the freedom that comes with truly decluttering. The difference is profound – less stress, more time, more peace, and a home that genuinely feels like YOUR comfortable space.
That’s the real payoff of focusing on decluttering first. The best organization ideas and functional organization ideas for the home become so much easier to choose and implement once the excess is gone.
Here are some posts that may give you more help and inspiration:
How I Decluttered My Home: Decluttered Home Inspiration And Tips From A Borderline Hoarder
How To Succeed In Balancing Practicality And Idealism When Decluttering Your Home
My Top 5 Helpful Hints For How To Stop Buying Clothes You Don’t Need
Be kind and patient with yourself. You have the power to change your relationship with your possessions and the concept of organizing that truly serves you. Are you ready to ditch the endless shuffle and step into the clarity of living lighter?
Start small, but make a start. You’ve got this!
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