How to Tackle a Big Mess with GENTLE Decluttering
- Erica Lucas
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Do you have a room in your house that feels so overwhelming you don't even know where to start? We’ve all been there—staring at a mountain of stuff that has accumulated over months, feeling the weight of a thousand tiny decisions that need to be made.
In this video, I am "Trying a GENTLE DECLUTTERING Method for a BIG MESS!", and share a refreshing approach to reclaiming your space without the typical burnout. Instead of a marathon weekend session that leaves you exhausted, let's try a "gentle" method: decluttering just 10 items a day.
Why the "Gentle" Method Works
Most of us fail at decluttering because we try to do too much at once. But that big mess didn't happen overnight, so it isn't going to be fixed overnight. By limiting ourselves to 10 items a day, we can avoid the emotional and physical exhaustion that often follows a massive cleaning spree.
The goal is simple: pick 10 items and either trash them, give them away, or put them where they actually belong.
The 5-Day Journey
Try a 5-day challenge to remove 50 items from a cluttered room or from various rooms in your home. Here’s how the process might evolve for you:
Days 1 & 2: The "Easy Pickings" Early on, the momentum is easy to build. I focused on "easy pickings"—obvious trash like old dioramas, scraps of paper, or items that clearly had homes elsewhere, like an apron or a clipboard.
Day 3: The Mid-Way Slump By the third day, "decision fatigue" can set in. In this video, I admitted to feeling some despair as the easy items disappeared and harder choices remained. However, after I reminded myself that small, mini-decisions add up over time, I was able to push forward.
Day 4: Shifting Focus When you get stuck in one spot, move on! Don't let decisions hold you back. On day 4, I felt blocked by a section of the couch, and pivoted to a different area of the room to keep the momentum going.
Day 5: The Power of Results By the final day, the cumulative effect was visible. I was finally able to sit on the couch I had been clearing! Seeing that "proof of concept" is the ultimate motivator to keep going the next day.
Pro-Tips for Successful Decluttering
Here are several pro-tip strategies to try when the decision-making gets tough:
The "First Inclination" Rule: If you aren't sure where something goes, ask yourself: "If I were looking for this, where would I look first?" - That is its new home.
Verbalize the Struggle: When you're hesitant to get rid of something, talk through it out loud. I find that explaining why I want to keep something (like empty card cases) helps me decide whether to find a permanent home for it or let it go.
Involve the Family (But Set a Boundary): For items that belong to my kids, I placed them on the kitchen table. This forces a decision: if they want to keep it, they have to find a home for it; if not, it gets decluttered, donated, or trashed.
Flex Your Decluttering Muscles: Some days you’ll feel stronger than others. Save the "hard" sentimental items for days when your "decluttering muscles" are flexed and you’re feeling decisive.
Final Thoughts
By the end of the five days, I had a full bag of trash and 50 fewer items cluttering this room! The room wasn't perfect yet, but the couch was clear, and the overwhelm was gone.
If you have a "doom room" or a messy corner, why not try the 10-item challenge this week? It’s a marathon, not a sprint—and your mental health will thank you for the gentle pace.
FTC Disclaimer: Please note that some links may be affiliate links, and I earn a commission from your purchase. These links share products at no extra cost to you. I may receive some products in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by brand, person, or company.
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