The 5 Stages of the Decluttering Struggle Bus—And How to Push Through

We all know the emotional rollercoaster that comes with letting go of stuff, but don’t worry—there’s a method to the madness! Let’s laugh our way through it, and I promise you’ll emerge victorious and clutter-free.

The 5 Stages of the Decluttering Struggle Bus—And How to Push Through

Decluttering can be a rollercoaster, but with some humor and the right steps, you’ll power through!

Stage 1: Denial

"I might use this someday!"

• The Struggle: That bread maker will definitely get some use one day, right? Or those jeans from 10 years ago?

  
  

• The Solution: Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s time to let go. Ask yourself, "would I buy this again?"

  
  

Stage 2: Frustration

"Why do I have so much stuff?"

• The Struggle: You wonder how it got so out of hand—cue the blame game! Kids? Spouse? Online shopping?

  
  

• The Solution: Start small. Declutter one drawer, then move to another. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

  
  

Stage 3: Negotiation

"Maybe I’ll just move it to the basement..."

• The Struggle: You think, I’ll deal with this later. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

  
  

• The Solution: Resist the temptation to stash and dash. If it doesn’t serve you now, donate or toss it.

  
  

Stage 4: Overwhelm

"This is too much; I’ll never finish!"

• The Struggle: Halfway through, and the chaos seems worse than before. You wonder why you even started.

  
  

• The Solution: Keep going! Small wins add up. Finish one section before moving on, and stay focused. Set a 15 minute timer, take a 5 minute break, start again, and repeat.

  
  

Stage 5: Accomplishment

"I can see the floor again!"

• The Struggle: Actually, no struggle here—just the joy of a clutter-free space!

  
  

• The Solution: Take a moment to admire your hard work. Keeping things tidy is much easier after this victory.

Declutter with Laughter

Decluttering doesn’t have to be stressful! Approach it with a light heart, and you’ll be surprised at how much progress you can make. If you're ready to transform your space, book a discovery call today and let me help you get started.

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