Decluttering can be tough for many of us. To help you declutter your home with less stress and more ease, here are 12 ways to get motivated to declutter your home when you don’t feel like it.
HOW TO GET THE MOTIVATION TO DECLUTTER
Like any changes, choosing to declutter your home will take a little time and effort before you feel the benefits and see the difference it can make to your time, space, freedom and stress levels. And, of course, depending on how much clutter you’ve got to deal with, the difference might be immediate, or it might take a while!
The trick is to stay motivated and positive even when things aren’t going quite right, you get slowed down, or when it’s all taking longer than you expected.
The main thing to remember if you’re struggling to find the motivation to declutter is that you’ve made that first all-important step towards experiencing the benefits of a decluttered home. You’ve decided enough is enough and are really taking action to make those changes.
You’re not just thinking about doing them, you’re actually doing them and that takes courage. So, cut yourself some slack, be kind to yourself and take courage!
12 WAYS TO GET MOTIVATED TO DECLUTTER AND ORGANISE YOUR HOME
Here are some tips on how to find the motivation to declutter your home and keep it up!
1. Be kind to yourself
Remember that there’s no right way to declutter your home. You can declutter in stages, do a first big sweep to clear the obvious clutter and then do smaller rounds of decluttering, gradually clearing out more each time. Just because your home isn’t totally decluttered the first time you tackle it, is not a reason to give up or think you can’t do it!
2. Don’t get demoralised through lack of support
Don’t get demoralised because your partner can’t understand what you’re doing, or why. Or, perhaps the rest of your household, your kids or even your wider family don’t get what you’re trying to achieve. Don’t worry, they’ll might come around if you live your life by example so they too can see the benefits of a decluttered home. But, whether or not you have support, you CAN still declutter on your own!
For the time being, just focus on your stuff and the areas of your home which are in your control. Agree to disagree, agree to compromise or just declutter your own belongings and leave everyone else’s for the moment.
Further Reading: How to Declutter When Your Spouse Doesn’t Want To
3. Make decluttering fun
Encourage the kids to help you. Choose a time when you’re all in a good mood and make it a fun experience by turning decluttering into a game. For example, who’s the quickest at bagging up 5 toys they no longer play with to give to charity?
Make decluttering fun for yourself too and you’re more likely to get motivated to declutter. Turn up the music or your favourite TV programme in the background, get some snacks, a coffee or glass of wine. Enjoy creating a lovely, clutter-free home for you and your family.
4. Be realistic
Don’t give up if it’s taking longer than you thought! If you’ve got a lot of stuff, or haven’t decluttered before, decluttering can take a long time, especially if you come across a particularly difficult room or, for example, a box of old family photos you’d forgotten about.
Be realistic about what you can achieve in the time you have available. It’s better to under-estimate what you can do and be pleasantly surprised instead of being too ambitious and getting frustrated because you don’t do what you set out to. Getting motivated to declutter is all about setting yourself up for success!
5. Go easy with the rules
Implement the one in/one out idea if you’re finding it difficult to part with your stuff, are fed up with feeling like you can’t go out shopping and buy anything new and you’re ready to throw in the towel thinking that decluttering isn’t for you.
If you buy something new, then swap it out for something old. If you like clothes shopping but still like the idea of a decluttered wardrobe then buy a new top, by all means, but maybe give one of your existing tops away to charity? That way you still get to go shopping and enjoy a new top, but your wardrobe doesn’t get bigger in the process.
Don’t feel like you have to declutter in a certain way. Getting motivated to declutter is all about finding a decluttering strategy that works for YOU.
Further Reading: High Impact Decluttering Strategies for When You’re Struggling
6. Have a plan
Lack of motivation means we’re often not concentrating on what we’re doing and we don’t get it done in the most effective way possible. We procrastinate, get distracted (or actively search for distractions!), make excuses, faff around, approach it half-heartedly, stop and then start again so it actually takes longer and is less efficient. So, before you start decluttering, decide on your plan and stick to it, whether you feel like it or not!
7. Avoid distractions
Effective decluttering is best done without distractions. Stay on task and don’t let your mind wander and you’ll be able to get through your decluttering project quicker. When we’re not feeling motivated to do something, it’s easy to get distracted and avoid the task at hand. See the point above!
Put your phone out of the way, stop yourself from re-reading your child’s school reports from 10 years ago as you declutter the paperwork. If you want to do these things, put these special items aside and allocate another time when you’re not meant to be decluttering. Focus on the task in hand.
8. Get rid of unwanted items as part of the process
Bag up your unwanted items and deal with them straightaway. Once you’ve decluttered and managed to put some items in bags, make sure that you deal with them, then and there, before you’ve finished. Don’t be tempted to sit back and think you’re done until the rubbish bag is in the bin, the donate and recycle bags have been donated and recycled.
Otherwise, you’ll find your family rooting through the bags looking for items which they want to keep and all your hard work will be undone. You’ll get demoralised and lose your motivation to declutter going forward. Don’t let this happen just because you haven’t moved those bags!
9. Declutter in short spurts
If you’re not feeling motivated to declutter, the thought of spending a whole day decluttering your garage might sound totally off-putting – it would to me too! Try decluttering in small little chunks, 10 minutes here or there. Those 10 minutes, repeated often, is enough to clear your clutter pretty well but in manageable bite-sized chunks. Try this free 30-day Declutter Challenge for some simple, daily projects to clear your clutter.
You could even try some simple decluttering methods which are also fun and quick to try. You could learn:
- How to Use the 12-12-12 Rule to Declutter Your Home
- The 2-Minute Decluttering Rule (Small Actions for Big Wins)
10. Reward yourself
If you’ve decluttered successfully, no matter how much or how little, treat yourself to something nice. A cup of tea and a biscuit, a dance around the room, take-away pizza, a glass of wine, family movie night. It doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as it’s a reward for a productive declutter session and you look forward to the treat to spur you on and keep you motivated for next time!
You can also create incentives for different stages of your decluttering progress. Declutter one room and have one treat, another room and get another treat. Treats are for adults just as much as kids! It’s down to you what incentive you choose but we all feel more motivated and work better when there’s something nice waiting for us at the end!
11. Seek support
Use every opportunity you can to help your family understand what you’re doing and why. They’re more likely to want to give it a try with you which will also help boost your motivation levels!
Tell a friend what you’re doing and promise to keep them up-to-date with your progress. Ask them to check in on you and see how you’re doing. Send pictures, share your successes and struggles and stay accountable!
12. Give yourself a deadline
Declutter the living room by the weekend and invite guests over so the room has to be decluttered by then. Advertise a garage sale or set a date to go to the car boot so you need to have some stuff to sell by then. Setting a realistic deadline focuses the mind and helps us get motivated to clear our clutter.
BONUS TIP. Remember your why
Get clear on why you want to declutter and the benefits you hope it will bring for you. Perhaps more time, space, freedom, less to clear up and clean, easier to clean, a calmer home… When you lose motivation to declutter think back to why you wanted to declutter in the first place. Keep this reason first and foremost in your mind for those times when you want to give up.
It may take time to find what works for you. Go slow and be prepared that you might meet resistance or lose motivation from time to time. Be ready to persevere, be kind to yourself and don’t despair when it goes wrong.
If you lose your mojo and don’t feel motivated to declutter that’s ok. It rarely has to be done all in one go. Just take a break for today and carry on tomorrow.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Decluttering Motivation
Here are some common questions I get asked about decluttering and getting motivated to declutter. I thought it might be helpful to share some thoughts with you.
1. How do I start decluttering when I feel completely overwhelmed?
Start small. Pick just one drawer, shelf, or surface. Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and focus on that one area. Often, taking action—even in a tiny way—can help build momentum.
2. What if I don’t have time to declutter?
You don’t need hours. Even five minutes a day can make a difference. Try adding decluttering into your daily routine—like tidying the kitchen counter while the kettle boils or clearing your handbag while watching TV. Here are some tips on how to declutter when you don’t have time to declutter.
3. How can I stay motivated when the mess keeps coming back?
Clutter tends to creep in, so consistency is key. Build habits like “one in, one out,” and create systems that are easy to maintain. Also, take time to notice how a decluttered space makes you feel—it’s often motivation in itself! Try introducing these easy habits for a clutter-free home.
4. What if my family isn’t on board with decluttering?
Start with your own things and shared spaces you’re responsible for. Let your results speak for themselves. When others see how much calmer and more functional a space feels, they might start getting on board too.
5. How do I stop being emotionally attached to my stuff?
It’s okay to feel attached. Ask yourself if the item still serves a purpose in your life or if it’s holding you back. Try taking a photo before letting go, or boxing items up for a trial separation. Try these 9 ways to declutter without throwing away memories.
6. What are the benefits of decluttering my home?
Less clutter means less stress, less cleaning, and more time and energy for what matters most. Many people also report sleeping better, feeling lighter, and even saving money because they’re more intentional about what they bring into their home.
7. I keep starting but never finish. How can I stay on track?
Set small, achievable goals and celebrate each win. Use a checklist, keep before-and-after photos, or find an accountability partner. Most importantly, be kind to yourself—progress, not perfection.
GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE
Getting motivated to declutter your home is all about getting some quick wins under your belt to start off with. Starting is the most important but often the hardest part. To help you find the motivation to declutter, I’ve created a list of quick and easy 15-minute decluttering projects which you can get started with today! Pop your details in the box below so I know where to send it.
Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, a website helping busy, overwhelmed people declutter their home, time and life. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent in and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, reading or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Get your free Declutter Starter Kit.