Arg!!! Sound familiar?
One of the most common things I hear from clients is:
They walk into the room, open the garage, peek into the closet… and immediately feel overwhelmed. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Getting started is often the hardest part.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Clutter Is Normal
When you look at everything that needs to be done, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. The space may be packed, disorganized, or layered with years of “I’ll deal with that later.” The more you look at the whole picture, the more impossible it feels.
But here’s what I always tell my clients:
Stop looking at all of it.
Narrow Your Focus
Don’t worry about the whole room, the whole garage, or even the entire closet. Pick one small corner. One shelf. One bin. One drawer.
Tell yourself: “This is the only thing I need to focus on right now.”
Let the rest fade into the background for the moment.
This simple mindset shift makes a huge difference.
Why This Works
Most people feel overwhelmed even before they begin. Honestly? I would too! It’s not just about clutter, it’s about decisions, emotions, and energy. By narrowing your focus, you’re telling your brain: “This is manageable.”
It may take some practice, and you’ll need to remind yourself often, but it truly helps you stay grounded and on task.
One Small Step at a Time
After you finish that first little area, move on to the next small spot. That’s it. You’re not trying to fix the whole space in a day.
Because here’s the truth:
Your home didn’t become cluttered in a single day, so why expect yourself to declutter it all at once?
Give yourself permission to go slow. Progress is still progress, no matter how small.
You’ve Got This (and You Don’t Have to Do It Alone)
Learning to focus on one small area at a time takes practice, but it makes the whole job feel less daunting. And once you begin, you’ll start seeing the organization and breathing space you’ve been craving.
Need help getting started? Sometimes having a second set of eyes (and hands!) makes all the difference. Whether it’s decluttering, downsizing, or organizing, I’m here to help, without judgment, and at your pace.
