The chaos approach is totally fine
Random decluttering is better than no decluttering.
As someone who writes about systems-based organizing, I realize I can give the impression that there is a Right Way to approach things. Countless books propose bespoke Right Ways. How can they all be Right when they’re different?
Analysis paralysis can stop us from even getting started. We ask ourselves:
What’s the most important category to start with?
…Or should I go room by room?
How long will this take me?
Should I make a big pile of things to sort, or just select the items I want to declutter?
How will I figure out where to take all the things I need to get rid of?
I clearly love a solid gameplan. Indeed, that’s what I often do with clients in our virtual 1:1 sessions. It can be helpful to build a strategy and step by step plan before diving into a big organizing project. (If you’d like my help planning out your holiday organizing project, grab an hour with me!)
At the same time, if you find yourself endlessly swirling in the gameplan stage, I say skip it. Just start somewhere. If every room of your house needs decluttering, just start with whatever seems achievable.
Because it can help to see progress, you could start with a single drawer or cabinet. Then even if everything else is still messy, you can open that drawer and see your accomplishment. That dopamine might fuel you to keep going. But if the idea of picking a drawer is stressing you out, skip it.
At the end of the day, there are many paths you can take. If analyzing which path is stopping you from getting started, throw them out the window and just do one thing. Then another thing. Then another thing.
(BTW, this is not to be confused with the Chaos Method, which has you dump everything onto the floor, sort it, then put what you want keep back. This method is high risk and only for someone who feels confident in their ability to persist no matter what. Otherwise it just creates more chaos.)
I’m including links at the bottom for decluttering support, but you have my persmission not to click any of them and just follow your gut to get started right now.
Now You
Have you had success with the chaos approach, where there’s no system or plan? Let’s cheer each other on as we face overwhelm.
Decluttering Support
…only if you’re not feeling overwhelmed
The unbearable lightness of getting rid of things
I shared a list a few weeks ago of places that will take items you’re getting rid of and reuse or recycle them (click here if you missed “5 No-guilt ways to part with clutter”).
Let's stop feeling ashamed of our clutter
“Your house is a pile of stuff with a cover on it. That’s all your house is: a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” – George Carlin
3 ways to overcome your eco-guilt
Something I struggle with when decluttering is facing the environmental impact of what I’m getting rid of. We all read news about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, forever plastics, and global warming, and it makes us feel horrible about putting things in the trash. This is a huge obstacle for so many of us when we need to get rid of stuff.
The tyranny of home makeover culture
I’ve been enjoying our discussions the past few weeks of paths out of consumer culture—or at least, more intentional paths through it.
I've written before how I don't have total control over my home because it is also my daughter's home and we have different approaches about how to live. We do not argue or fight. We love each other and co-exist easily and happily. So, I just declutter when and how I can. I clean when and how I am physically able. I focus on keeping the bathroom clean, keeping the dishes and countertops clean, and my own areas manageable. What is true for me is while I'd love a clean organized home, if I have to make a choice, I will choose living with my daughter every time.
My clutter mostly comes from a big push to redecorate. June brings me to the two year mark of my hubby’s death, so I decided to declutter and redecorate at the same time. Idiot. My craft cave is so bad that I can barely walk in there. Overflow of that in my bedroom. Living room dining room and bathroom done!✅