Without a doubt, the most common mistake I see people make on their journey to a minimalist life is to start decluttering in the wrong place. Too often, we choose a difficult first step, rather than an easy one.
Now, just to be clear, I’m fine with whatever method works for you to minimize your possessions and free your life for more important pursuits. And if starting in a really difficult area and working backwards works for you and your family, go for it.
But for most people, the most effective strategy to minimize possessions is to start easy and work your way up to decluttering harder areas and harder spaces.
That’s the process my wife and I used years ago. And that’s the process I recommend on this blog and in the Clutterfree app.
Go ahead, start decluttering with your easiest step.
I thought it might helpful for me to write down some of the places people are tempted to declutter first, even though they probably shouldn’t. So I sat down and wrote out this list of 10—they appear in no particular order.
Starting at any of these spaces tends to end in frustration and exhaustion—and too quickly leads to failure rather than success.
10 Things NOT to Declutter First
1. Photos.
Many people have boxes and boxes of old family photos that need to be curated, but spending hours and hours flipping through old family photos usually just leads to hours and hours more as memories surface.
Save this project for later. When you do, keep only the best.
2. Sentimental ltems.
Sentimental items may be around for any number of reasons—to remember a past season of life, a relationship, an experience, or an accomplishment.
Holding onto the best is a fine idea—less is different than none—but wait for this step until you’ve experienced and noticed the benefits of owning less in your life. You’ll find it easier to accomplish.
3. Paper.
Paper clutter is a real issue, no doubt about it. But you can spend hours working through just one small pile of paper and still see no significant difference in your home.
Instead, spend those hours removing larger possessions from your home first. You’ll notice the progress easier and will be encouraged to continue.
4. The Garage.
Similar to paper, large cluttered spaces take a lot of time and a more noticeable change in your home can be better found elsewhere. Additionally, not many people spend considerable time in their garage (they drive in and drive out).
Beginning in an easier room you spend considerable time in (like a bedroom or living room) pays off greater dividends quicker.
5. Kids’ Toys.
I speak to a lot of parenting groups. When I open the discussion for questions, the first one is always the same, “This minimalism thing sounds great. How do I get rid of my kids’ toys?” And my answer is always the same, “It is entirely unfair for you to begin your journey into minimalism by forcing your kids to get rid of their stuff. You need to go first.”
When your kids see you removing the possessions from your own room and closet first, they’ll be more prepared for when you eventually get to theirs.
6. Your Partner’s Stuff.
Similar to kids’ things, you should never begin your decluttering journey by getting rid of your spouses’ stuff. In fact, I’d counsel you, in almost every case, not to remove your partner’s stuff without including them in the process.
It is simply too easy to see everyone else’s clutter than it is to see our own. You do your work, you set the example, and when your partner sees the benefits, he or she will be ready. And you’ll be there to help.
7. Drawers.
I think it is important to move through your home room-by-room decluttering your unneeded things. I also think it is important to start in visible areas first because seeing progress is important (especially if you have a lot of work to do).
When minimizing a new room, break each into smaller projects if you need to. But start in visible areas, not hidden clutter like drawers and cabinets. You’ll get to those spaces eventually, but start with the visible stuff in your line of sight already.
8. Your Collections.
Your collections probably need to be decluttered, but there are some questions that need to go into this process first.
Do I have too many collections? Am I going to continue collecting these things? Is there a better way to store or display these items?
Personally, I found that my opinions on these matters changed significantly as I pursued minimalism. As I saw the benefits of owning less, I began to question my collections in ways I hadn’t before—I believe you’ll find the same to be true for you.
9. Digital Clutter.
Don’t start your minimalism journey by deleting emails. Again, you should do that (and almost certainly unsubscribe from them as well). But digital clutter is different than physical clutter.
Physical clutter carries more weight and burden than digital clutter. So, you should declutter your digital files, but it’s a terrible place to start. Start with your physical objects.
10. Books.
I’m going to include books on this list—not because it is a problem for everyone, but because it is a difficult task for many. If you love books, no doubt you own quite a few, and may even feel the sense that you should own fewer of them. This is probably true.
But if you feel an emotional attachment to books, you should hold off on this step—similar to the reasons listed in Sentimental Items above.
The decluttering process I recommend the most is to work through your home easiest-to-hardest, starting with the most lived-in areas first. It’s the method that is the most effective for the most amount of people.
By not starting in the areas listed above, you will avoid frustration and fatigue at the beginning.
You’ll love owning less. You can do it.
When my husband had to work out of town for two weeks and I was home alone I decided it was time to clean out everything. I know it was a daring move but had been bothering me for a long time, the feeling of being suffocated by my own home. I started in one room by emptying everything out, painted the ceiling and walls, then took a good inventory of what should return to the room. Three bedrooms later I felt a sense of freedom, for the next two years I continued this living room, kitchen etc.. Somethings were sold others I placed by the roadside with a sign stating if you need it please take it, it served it purpose here. Initially my husband was at a loss but quickly found the same liberating feeling of owning less as I did, now we look and rarely buy.
Love this! Thanks for sharing!!
I have a bag of books in my car and have been stocking little libraries.
Love this idea! We have a few Little Libraries near us…I will be making some stops to stock them soon!
I do that too but the ones nearby are geared to children and I don’t have books of that nature, so I give them to our local library which then sells them at a nominal fee and uses the funds to purchase more books. Either way, they’re both super ways to divest yourself of books you don’t use.
I started de-cluttering our home in 2015. I wanted to build a tiny house to live in and knew that it is not conducive to clutter. Every week I listed things on Craigs list for sale including starting with small or non essential items. As they went out the door and money came in it encouraged me to keep going. I kept a box for donation by the door and since we lived down the street from a donation store, I made weekly trips. I continued to do this as we built our home on wheels. Everything I made off of Craigs List went into our new tiny house. We paid for it as we built it and it took 2 years building it on weekends to finish but by the time we moved into our tiny house, we had completely de-cluttered our life and were debt free. We live in and travel with our tiny house and love the freedom.
what a wonderful plan…I admire that you stuck to it and crossed the finish line.
that is an amazing and wonderful story to hear, very encouraging!
I have a bag of books in my car and have been stocking little libraries.
Books are easy! I took the gradual approach. Every time I make a trip to the thrift store, I take a box of books. Our books (a large homeschooling collection for children who are now adults) were pretty orderly anyway, so I focus on a section at a time. Not so overwhelming and not so heavy. Some have been sold, most donated, probably 100 boxes in all, and I’m not done! We’ve gone from triple-shelved to single-shelved and soon I’ll be donating the shelves! I keep maybe one in 100 as a timeless classic that I want to have in my home in a manageable family and guest library.
Great article! I think it was written for me. Those are all the places I’ve started so many times, then got discouraged and stopped. I always thought I had to start with the hard stuff, to get it over with. Thank you for teaching me!
This is something I’ve been working on for years sad to say but I now see the flaw thanks to your article. I do alot of paper, drawar, closet, garage organizing and meanwhile there are heaps of clutter, yes heaps in the living room. We get alot of deliveries that tend to go unopened and stack up in our office area which is part of our living room. I’m also very bad at opening mail. I pay the bills and the rest gets thrown in a look at later or a not important pile and there they sit for weeks, or months. I am a regular taxi for my daughter, I also have a steady supply of dishes and laundry to do daily. I live with my husband, daughter and son and there is plenty to be done on a daily basis without getting into the decluttering but I am trying because I do not want to have this trend to continue. Thank you for the article. It was an eye opener.
🌹 I Feel Your Pain – Literally!!
I be Had same plan as you~ :)
Thinking ~ Not Done :( Garage, 10×17 Brand New Shed,(can barely get in door)And **Was Going** To Even Start on Closets “Stuffed with boxes 📦 & Bins of ~ Stuff..” Now… All This I’ve had INTENTION’S FOR OVER 4 years. IN MY Own Defense:) I have had some major medical events last 3yrs, So That now has become a Hardship, thinking about hiring organizer ~ But $$$ WoW 😮
Anyway I’ll say a 🙏 For You and Know All Is Well and You Will accomplish Your Goal .. Be Blessed.. Take Care
I was moving for the second time in 2 years. It’s easier when the question is “Do I want to move this…again?” Books were among the first to go. Then I could let go of the bookshelves, too. I’m still trying to decide about my cabbage patch doll.
Debbie , those rare beanies are so precious and cute. I have those photos of a cabbage doll and myself. Adorable toy you can still find for less on eBay !
I have been decluttering for two years and just did books. I had to ponder, let go mentally, take back mentally, go through mental gymnastics. But I have gone from hundreds of books to 30 (not counting ebooks and audio books). So far only a positive thing. We will see if regret comes.
My next trip is to find a used Nook to read my books. It seems a thing now to read anywhere on a laptop or listen your favorite podcast from channels for free from your device. Absolutely a great idea.
I have just found that decluttering the ‘attic’ space (which is really a finished room at top of house) to be extremely fruitful. so many things that were put there years ago are now gone. made room for some other things that I do need to go through but will take more time in the future, and will be out of the living room, etc. I am working my way down the house!
I live in an apartment so no attic but I do have in suite storage it was full to the brim so gave away lots of fabric 90% to make room now we need to organize it better to allow a little bit more room I really feel an attic could be such a wonderful area to get to decorate HAVE FUN
Attics are not for the caveman only…it surely the perfect retreat to be alone and creative , I wish my townhome has such room for this. Another place I dream of finding in a home is a sunroom and not having to be xxposed to the sunlights, pollen or bitten by bugs …
Sage advice. I would add that since it took years to accumulate stuff that it will take quite a bit of time—probably years—to declutter it. Keep plodding along. Seeing some space will encourage you on your journey. I wish everyone peace.
Thank you for the post.
I grew with the books part that is one of my very last place to declutter i “love” to read and am an avid reader since i am retired i can read to my hearts contend BUT when i finished a book that book will be given to a new owner i do not keep them ,,,,,, i do have a lot of books and it will take a few years to get them read but read them i will or i wouldn’t have kept them ,,,, i have given away lots of books unread so i know the once i have i will read.
Otherwise i have pretty much decluttered the whole apartment i however do not touch my husbands stuff in due time he will declutter and if he doesn’t i have no right to throw his stuff. At one point it will all come together.
Whoa ? that’s really some tough spots to not de-clutter first and most
But Truly.. As I Thought about it , Totally Makes Since … If I Spent My time on The List *Not* To Do First :) I Could Clean The Rest Of My House with a Toothbrush 🪥 LoL.. I Totally Agree > If It’ Can’t Be SEEN ?? Leave It Till After What Can BE SEEN Is Finished ✅
Im so Glad I Found this Blog … Very Helpful and Encouraging.
I Took Notes 📝 :) Take Care
Although I have a lot stored in boxes, I don’t consider myself a pack-rat for the sake of just not letting go! For the most part, it is either seasonal decorations, things I use over again for church events, (Decided that, after using items this year, I will let that be the last time and get rid of them after each event.). tax papers that need kept, photos, and some crafting. That said, through this site, I am getting rid of many other things. I have been saving my china (no room in kitchen and at my age, I don’t want the hassle!) for my 3 yo granddaughter. You know what? Anything I am saving for her or her brothers will not be appreciated much in today’s world so, I will pull it out this Christmas, use it, then I am selling or donating it! I have 3 clocks hanging on the walls. I love them all but none work! (I had planned to get replacement parts!). I made the decision yesterday to just get rid of them! All of this said to remind people it isn’t an overnight thing! You have to: 1) WANT to declutter, 2) agonize (sometimes) and argue with yourself about something, 3) finally get the victory to be ready to freely let go.
Love what you wrote Gail. It is a work in progress and there is no time limit, just like the black and white columns, it will resist the test of time. Have a great day ;0)
The best thing about having lots of empty space is room to store your child’s things if they go in the Navy. Or if they need to move back with you. Empty space is for possibilities. My neighbors used to store their kid’s gifts down our basement. Now my neighbor is moving and I have some of her stuff so she can stage her living room. We have always had other people store things with us. My nephew used to sleep over. My brothers, who used to travel for work, always stayed with us.
I’m listening to your book “The More of Less” and, per chapter 6, started in my car this afternoon. I cleaned out all the old CDs that I never listen to and then discovered I could sell them on the internet. Ran around the house and found some more. By the end of the night I sold 11 and recycled 22 CD/DVD discs. Amazed and happy…
So where should I start? My closet?
Try your Living Room.
The master bedroom was a good place to start for me. When we go to the bedroom to sleep, it is very relaxing. I also have a comfortable chair, ottoman, and tiny electric fireplace where we take turns reading and relaxing, and gazing out our two big windows at nature. It has stayed clean and minimalist for years now, including making the bed as soon as we get up in the morning.
What is that site to sell CD’s please?
Sentimental items are always the hardest.
I’ve found I can part with sentimental items after some amount of time as long as I have a photo to occasionally look back at.
What a brilliant idea!
Great read, full of concrete ideas and helpful tips for anyone’s going through such process. Much thanks!
Beaut comments and heart based – very sensible – thank you ??