11 Practical Decluttering Motivation Tips

How to Get Motivated to Declutter Your House – 11 Actionable Declutter Motivation Tips

Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your home? These simple decluttering motivation tips will help you take the plunge and finally get organized.

Decluttering isn’t easy; we get it. The clutter in our lives takes many forms, but eventually, it all becomes too much, and we get bogged down. Digging yourself out of a mess can seem overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of stuff. Where do you start?

How do you get motivated to declutter or stay motivated when your energy and enthusiasm dwindle halfway through the process? But don’t worry – you can do this!

You can surely declutter your home with the right motivation and tools. We’ll help you every step of the way.

So, let’s dive in and look at how to get motivated to declutter your house with some motivation tips to help you get the job done.

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11 Practical Decluttering Motivation Tips

#1. Focus on the Positive Outcome

Have you ever noticed that we tend to take the path of least resistance when doing things we don’t like? Let’s face it, decluttering is not fun for most people. The process requires a lot of mental, emotional, and physical energy. We tend to put it off as a result.

I’m going to let you in on a secret. We will get going only when the joy of decluttering outweighs the pain of living in a muddle. This means we need to focus on our main reason for decluttering (a clutter free home).

I recently read an interesting article about motivation; researchers discovered that focusing on a goal with positive outcomes worked the best when trying to make changes.

Take some time to focus on the benefits of decluttering and how it might make your life easier.

Rather than fixating on the negative aspects of visual clutter, focus on what you will gain from decluttering. This will ensure your energy is directed toward the life you choose for yourself and your family. Remind yourself regularly of these benefits when you feel your energy is lagging.

#2. Set a Goal for Decluttering and Share it with Others

This tip moves on naturally from the previous one. Setting a goal for decluttering is a great way to stay motivated and make consistent progress.

Better yet, let others know your plan so they can support you! Sharing your goal creates accountability, too, allowing people to follow up with you on your progress and cheer for every success along the way.

#3. Start Small

When it comes to decluttering, small steps are your secret weapon! Start small and tackle one specific area or task at a time, and you’ll make headway before you know it.

Taking small steps makes decluttering feel more manageable. It helps you make steady progress, and the small successes will add up quickly. Here are some examples of small steps.

Aim for 15 minutes of decluttering a day (set a timer).
Set a goal of decluttering one shelf a day.
Decide you will declutter one drawer or cupboard a day.
Set your sight on clearing one level surface or floor.

These small steps are achievable, and you will be surprised how quickly they add up. Declutter one drawer a day, and before you know it, the whole bureau is organized.

#4. Create A Reward System

Creating a reward system is an excellent motivator! It encourages you to complete individual tasks as well as bigger goals. Keep it simple and inexpensive. I would also suggest choosing a reward that doesn’t add to your clutter. Here are some ideas

Take yourself out for a cup of coffee with a friend.
Enjoy a long and luxurious bath.
Give yourself time with a favorite read.
Borrow a digital magazine from the library and browse to your heart’s content.
Treat yourself to a massage.
Go out for a meal at your favorite restaurant.

It doesn’t really matter what the reward is. Just make it something you can look forward to and enjoy.

#5. Invite Others to Declutter with You

Inviting friends or family members to declutter with you can turn the task into a social activity and provide mutual support and motivation.

Invite your friends to join you on the decluttering journey! You can compare notes and keep each other going. The decluttering journey becomes a social activity that helps keep us motivated.

You might meet each week to set small goals and celebrate successes. Decluttering alongside friends provides much-needed emotional support and makes the task far less daunting.

#6. Start with the Easy Stuff First

Starting with the easy stuff first is a helpful strategy for decluttering, as it gives you quick wins and builds momentum. Let’s face it, success tends to breed success.

Here are some easy wins that work for me:

Start by picking up rubbish
Remove items that are broken.
Clear the dirty dishes from the sink
Remove expired food from the panty
Dispose of expired medication
Get rid of clothes that you hate (or don’t fit)
Toss junk mail into the recycling bin

Starting with the easy stuff first is surprisingly effective. It gives you a quick win, motivating you to continue.

#7. Have A Disposal Plan

A plan for dealing with the items you declutter is an important step. You want to ensure that the items leave your house quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, they may end up in your space or cluttering another area.

Donate items that are in good condition. Consider donating items that are still useful to a charitable organization or someone in need. Place these donations into a box and take them to your charity of choice as soon as the box is filled.
Sell decluttered items of value. If you have items that are still in good condition and have value, selling them will generate income. However, it does take some effort to photograph and list these items. It might be easier to get rid of them immediately and forgo the cash.

Boxes of stuff can quickly pile up and add to the general feeling of clutter. Dealing with the boxes as they fill up will open up your space and motivate you to continue.

#8. Make It Fun

Making decluttering fun can be a great way to motivate yourself or others to tackle the task. Here are some ways to make decluttering more enjoyable:

Turn up the music and make it a dance party. Blast your favorite tunes and get moving as you declutter.
Make a game out of it. Set a timer and see how much you can declutter in a certain amount of time. You can even turn it into a competition with friends or family members.
Use humor to make the task more lighthearted. Recently we had to declutter our workspace (an academic library). You wouldn’t believe what we found! There was a box of candy wrappers! You may come across some bizarre items as well. We started taking photographs and sharing them with other staff, so everyone could have a good laugh.
Listen to a good book or your favorite podcast while you work.

Finding ways to make decluttering enjoyable will make it easier to tackle the task and make it feel less like a chore.

#9. Use A Checklist

A checklist can be a wonderful thing. It will help you stay organized and motivated and allow you to see your progress. Besides, there is nothing more satisfying than checking off those tasks.

Here are some ways to create and use a decluttering checklist:

Start by making a list of all the areas or tasks that you want to declutter. This might include specific rooms, areas within rooms, or types of items (such as clothes, papers, or household items).
Break the list down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Prioritize the tasks on your list based on their importance or ease of completion.
As you complete each task, check it off your list. Seeing the items on your list being checked off can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.
Review your list regularly to stay on track and make sure you are making progress.

#10. Do a Declutter Challenge

I like doing decluttering challenges as they help keep me motivated to keep at it. Challenges are effective because they you something to look forward to, thereby keeping you motivated.

You can do a 30 day decluttering challenge or a is day challenge, whichever works best for you. And you can do it with a group of friends to make it fun as encourage and cheer one another on.

#11. Take Before and After Photographs

Have you noticed how many DIY sites use before and after photos? There is a reason for this. It is a powerful way to show the transformation that is possible. This catches our attention and gets us excited by the possibilities.

Take before and after photographs of your decluttering journey! Seeing the difference your decluttering efforts are making puts everything into perspective. It also gives that extra boost of motivation when you feel bogged down.

It’s incredible how much of a difference decluttering can make to a room. Why not document it? Taking photographs is a simple way to see the progress you’re making! It also makes for a feel-good social media post!

Final Thoughts on Decluttering Motivation Tips

Taking the time to declutter and organize your space can be a daunting prospect. Therefore, staying motivated and finding the right strategies for the project are essential.

Whether it’s setting clear goals, making it fun, or even taking pictures, there are different tactics you can use to stay motivated. In this post, we’ve highlighted practical strategies to help you keep on track and get the job done.