(Or, How to Get Back on the Horse Without Falling Off Again)
So, you took a break from decluttering. Maybe life got busy. Maybe you just needed a breather. Maybe you walked into your cluttered space, sighed dramatically, and walked right back out.
Whatever the reason, here you are, ready to start decluttering again, but somehow, getting back into the groove feels harder than it should. Sound familiar?
The good news? You haven’t lost your decluttering skills. The bad news? Your stuff has been throwing a party while you were gone. But don’t worry, we’re about to put a stop to that with a simple, no-stress plan to get back on track.
1. Start With One Small, Easy Win
Jumping back into decluttering after a break can feel overwhelming, so don’t start with the hardest, most sentimental stuff. Instead, pick something easy, like clearing off the kitchen counter, cleaning out your purse, or tackling that one drawer full of mystery items (why do we all have those?).
A quick win gives you momentum, and momentum is everything.
2. Forget the Past (No Decluttering Guilt Allowed!)
Look, I get it. You had big plans to finish decluttering months ago, and now you’re annoyed that you’re still dealing with the same clutter. But guess what?
💡 Beating yourself up doesn’t clear a single thing.
What happened before doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re starting now. So instead of feeling guilty, celebrate the fact that you’re picking it back up. That’s what counts.
3. Set a Decluttering “Appointment” (And Keep It)
Waiting until you feel like decluttering is a recipe for…never decluttering. Instead, treat it like an appointment.
⏳ Set aside 10–15 minutes today or tomorrow, put it in your calendar, and commit to it. Even if you don’t want to. Even if you’d rather do literally anything else.
Chances are, once you start, you’ll go longer than planned. (But if you don’t, that’s okay too.)
4. Use the “Reset Mindset”
Sometimes, all you need is a shift in thinking. Instead of seeing this as a decluttering project, think of it as a reset, like hitting the refresh button on your home.
✨ What space would feel amazing if it were cleared right now?
✨ Where do you spend the most time that could use a quick fix?
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. A little reset can go a long way.
5. Declutter With a Purpose
Ask yourself: Why do I want to declutter again?
- To feel less overwhelmed?
- To make daily life easier?
- To stop tripping over things on the way to the coffee maker?
Having a clear why keeps you motivated. Write it down. Stick it on your fridge. Tattoo it on your forearm (okay, maybe not that extreme). Just keep it visible, so when you feel resistance, you remember why you started.
6. Don’t Try to “Catch Up” All at Once
If you’re thinking, I need to make up for lost time and declutter ALL THE THINGS today, stop right there. That’s the fast track to burnout.
Instead of an all-day decluttering marathon, try short, focused sessions. A few minutes a day adds up fast, without the overwhelm.
7. Get Rid of Stuff Immediately
The biggest mistake? Letting donation bags sit in your house for weeks. (You know they’ll just magically reintegrate if you give them too much time.)
✔ Drop them off at a donation center ASAP.
✔ List sellable items immediately.
✔ Take out the trash the same day.
No lingering. No second-guessing. Just action.
8. Make Decluttering a Habit (Not a Chore)
To avoid another long break, make decluttering part of your routine. Try:
📌 The “One Thing a Day” Rule: Find one thing to declutter daily.
📌 The “End-of-Day Reset”: Spend 5 minutes tidying up a small space before bed.
📌 The “Before and After” Trick: Take a quick before-and-after photo, it’s wildly satisfying.
Tiny habits keep clutter from piling up again.
Welcome Back, You’ve Got This!
Taking a break from decluttering doesn’t mean you failed. It just means life happened, and now, you’re back in the game.
So start small, be kind to yourself, and remember: You don’t have to do it all today. But you do have to start.
Live with intention,
Coach Linda