Clearing the clutter to clear your head

Clutter is a natural consequence of the busy lives we lead but if you feel overwhelmed by the chaos around you, restoring order can be cathartic, write Lyn Luxford and Kim Fitzgerald

If you’ve been meaning to declutter your home for weeks (or months), you’re not alone. You’re also not lazy.

You are just juggling life—work, family, errands, the school run—and wondering when exactly you’re meant to find time to sort the spare room or organise that overflowing cupboard.

We meet so many lovely, capable people who feel stuck in clutter. And here’s the truth: clutter doesn’t mean you are untidy or disorganised. It usually means you’re overwhelmed, overworked and unsure of where to begin.

Why is it so hard to declutter?

Clutter isn’t just stuff. It represents decisions waiting to be made. Do I need this? Should I donate it? What if I need it later? And these questions pile up quickly, especially when your days are already full.

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying. It’s about making space—in your home and in your head. It is less about striving for a perfectly organised home and more about making space—physically and mentally—for what matters most.

In the chaos of daily life, clutter often accumulates without us even realising it. It is not a reflection of laziness or a lack of discipline.

More often, it shows how full and demanding our lives have become. When every day is packed with work, family and responsibilities, tackling a spare room or messy cupboard can feel impossible.

Here’s how to make a start—without feeling like you have to do it all at once:

1. Start small and win early

Instead of “declutter the whole house,” try “clear one drawer.” Decluttering doesn’t require an all-or-nothing approach.

It’s okay to start small—one drawer, one shelf, one decision at a time. This is still progress. Each choice you make to let something go creates a little more breathing room in your home and a little more clarity in your mind.

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Focus on one shelf or surface. You don’t need a full weekend. Even a little progress can spark BIG motivation.

2. Be honest about what’s serving you

If it’s broken, forgotten or just makes you feel guilty every time you look at it, it’s time to let it go. Keeping things “just in case” often keeps us stuck in the past.

The real challenge clutter presents isn’t just the physical mess; it is the emotional weight that comes with it.

Deciding what to keep, what to let go of—and confronting the “what ifs”—can be draining. This is why it’s important to go gently. Be honest with yourself but equally kind to yourself.

3. Don’t go it alone

There’s no prize for doing this by yourself. In fact, decluttering with support can make the whole process faster, easier and way less emotional. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Learning to let go

Decluttering isn’t about becoming a minimalist or meeting anyone else’s standards. It is about creating a space that supports how you live now, not how you lived five or ten years ago.

It’s a way to honour your present and make room for whatever comes next. Wherever you begin, trust that small changes will add up—and that letting go is often the first step towards feeling more at home in your space.

Lyn Luxford and Kim Fitzgerald are co-founders of A Sorted Affair