Inside: Use the slow declutter method to simplify your home at a pace that works for you.
Living with clutter isn’t the best experience. Many of us tolerate it for far too long – until we reach a breaking point.
All of that clutter that’s shared our space for ages is suddenly driving us crazy, and we can’t ignore it anymore.
We want to do something about it right now.
And while we’ve likely all seen headlines from people claiming they got rid of 80% of their stuff in one weekend, that isn’t the only way to approach decluttering.
Trying to attack it all in a matter of a few days can leave you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and exhausted. You may end up creating even more of a mess than you started with.
And the worst part? You feel deflated and don’t end up finishing what you set out to accomplish.
When you think about it, it makes sense. Consider just how long it took that clutter to accumulate.
Clutter adds up over the years, and trying to convince yourself that you can make it all disappear right away is optimistic, but not always realistic.
Instead, consider the slow declutter method as a more reasonable and effective way to downsize your stuff without wearing you out in the process.
By navigating the process of decluttering intentionally – and slowly – you’ll still accomplish the same goal of creating a clutter-free, organized space.
Will it take more time? Yes. But there are plenty of compelling reasons to declutter slowly, as well as benefits to taking a slower, more intentional approach to the task.
Why Declutter Slowly? The Benefits of the Slow Declutter Method.
When it comes to clutter, most of us accumulate it over time. At first, we don’t even notice that it’s there – until one day, we do. And it’s bad. We can’t ignore the clutter that’s taken over our home.
It’s become a problem. And we want to fix it immediately.
But while instant gratification is nice, it isn’t always possible when it comes to decluttering your home.
In fact, trying to declutter too quickly can create all kinds of problems – and make the situation worse.
Instead, consider these six benefits of using the slow declutter method in your home:
1. You’ll have time to make a plan.
One of the biggest benefits of using the slow declutter method? The fact that you’ll actually have the time to approach your clutter situation thoughtfully and make a plan of attack.
While you might be tempted to grab a trash bag and just start, you’ll find yourself frustrated – and in many cases, with a home that’s even more chaotic than it was when you started.
Instead, making a plan to declutter slowly will allow you to approach your clutter problem in a more thoughtful way.
By determining how much time you can dedicate to the task each day or week, identifying all of the problem areas that need to be approached, and figuring out which order you’ll address them in, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress once you actually begin.
Decluttering slowly will help you to be more methodical in your approach so that you don’t waste your time spinning your wheels.
2. You’ll be able to properly prepare.
Decluttering is all about getting rid of stuff. As a result, most of us fail to think about the fact that we might need to gather a few supplies before we begin.
If you rush into the process, you won’t have the tools you need ready to optimally declutter and organize your space. Instead, take a slower approach and plan and prepare before you begin so that you can declutter more efficiently.
Here are some helpful supplies to have on hand:
Bags and boxes for donations and trash.
Planning to eliminate a lot of stuff from your space? You’ll need a place to put it. Do you have enough trash bags for the items that can’t be repurposed or simply need to be discarded?
And when it comes to items you can donate, where will you put those? Creating dedicated bags, boxes, and bins can streamline the process.
Storage solutions for the things you want to keep.
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. After you’re done getting rid of the items you don’t love or use, you’ll want to create an organizational system to help you stay organized going forward.
Using shelving, plastic storage bins, closet organizers, drawer dividers, and other items you have on hand can make a huge difference. Just don’t buy anything until after you’ve decluttered your things.
Labels, labels, labels!
Putting boxes and bins into storage? You’ll want to clearly label what’s inside to make it easy to identify later on.
Designating certain shelves in a closet for specific items? Label them to avoid any confusion.
Labels are especially helpful when you share space with other people who will be expected to help you maintain order moving forward.
3. You’ll feel less overwhelmed.
Let’s be honest. The process of decluttering can feel overwhelming.
You’re making a lot of decisions. You’re parting ways with stuff you’ve owned for years – some of which may carry emotional attachment or sentimental memories. And you’re doing a lot of work.
Keeping feelings of overwhelm at bay when decluttering is critical – and you can do it by taking a slower, more deliberate approach to the process.
Decluttering can stir up a wide range of emotions, and untangling the reasons you’ve been holding onto clutter can be a tiring process. But allowing yourself to think and reflect as you go can help you to identify and work through those thoughts & feelings.
It’s also important to acknowledge that everyone has limits on the time and energy they have available. When you declutter slowly, you can work with your resources rather than pushing yourself too hard by trying to tackle it all at once.
4. You’ll minimize the mess.
When you declutter, it’s common to make your space more chaotic before things improve.
Decluttering a closet? You’ll want to take everything out so you can see what you’re working with – and if you can’t complete the process right away, you’re going to be left with a mess.
By embracing the slow declutter method, you’ll tackle the task at hand with intention. You can think about how much time you can dedicate to decluttering before you get started – and pick a task that you know you can complete well within that window.
When you declutter slowly and minimize the mess, you’ll feel more motivated to continue with the process. It’s encouraging to see a completed space, even if it’s a small drawer or cupboard.
Having a room left in shambles waiting for you to get back to complete doesn’t help you to feel motivated to declutter. In fact, it makes the process feel even more overwhelming. But when you go at a more reasonable pace, the process feels much more manageable.
5. You’ll be less likely to experience decluttering regret.
Do you make the best decisions when you’re rushed? Most of us don’t. The pressure of trying to complete a task too quickly means you’re more likely to make mistakes.
Some people get caught up in the decluttering process when they’re speeding through it.
Unfortunately, that can cloud your judgment and make it more likely that you’ll look back and regret things you got rid of.
Or worse yet, find yourself needing to replace things you let go of while making hasty decisions.
However, when you use the slow declutter method, you can take the time to think more reasonably about what you want to keep and get rid of.
By asking yourself the right decluttering questions and considering what you truly love and use, you’ll set yourself up for decluttering success without regrets.
6. You’ll benefit from long-lasting results.
When you try to declutter too quickly, you force yourself to make a lot of decisions on the fly.
What should stay – and what should go? Where should I keep this? How should I organize that?
Making those kinds of decisions fast will get the job done in the short term and give you that instant gratification you crave – but can lead to problems in the long run.
If you want the results of your effort to last, you need to think strategically and implement systems and processes that work for you – now, and in the future.
You can think through your options, do some research on best practices, and consult experts (feel free to use the search bar on this site) to ultimately make decisions that will serve you long after your decluttering project is complete.
Decluttering slowly also allows you to notice the habits and behaviors that got you to where you are, so that you can identify key areas that need change.
If you rush quickly through the process, you may skip over this part and could then be more likely to repeat the same choices that created the clutter in the first place.
By embracing the slow declutter method and acting with intention as you create a clutter-free space, you can ensure that you’ll reap the benefits of your efforts for a long time as you stop the cycle of clutter in your home.
5 Tips for Using the Slow Declutter Method
If you’re ready to slowly declutter your home, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Focus on one small, defined area at a time.
When using the slow declutter method, you want to focus on one small, defined area at a time. It could be a drawer, cabinet, shelf, or small surface area.
Here are some ideas of places you can declutter quickly, but that will have a big impact on your home. They can be a great starting point for decluttering your home.
2. Complete the area before moving on to another one.
Before you move on to another small area, make sure you fully complete the previous one. That means throwing out the trash you collected, setting aside your donations (to drop off soon!), and putting items away that belong in other rooms.
By completing each space completely before moving on to a new one, you’ll keep the mess to a minimum, further motivating you to continue with the process.
3. Start with the easy stuff.
When you start decluttering your home, it’s helpful to begin with the easiest areas and work toward the more challenging ones.
Decluttering requires making a lot of decisions. Once you’ve practiced making decisions in easier areas, it will help you to be more decisive when you get to the sentimental stuff.
4. Take breaks as needed.
As you use the slow declutter method, remind yourself that it’s perfectly fine to take breaks as needed. It can even help you to be more productive! Just get back on track as you’re able.
Life happens, and some seasons are busier than others. Don’t beat yourself up if you need to rest. It’s okay to go slow.
5. Focus on your goals.
While those headlines about decluttering your entire home in a weekend may sound appealing, remember this is your journey. There is no race to the finish line or prize for who gets there first.
Slow and steady is the way to go to create lasting change in your home. Don’t compare your pace or journey to anyone else’s.
Be patient with yourself and keep your end goals in mind as you continue to make progress toward them.
Have you decluttered slowly? If so, what benefits did you experience from it? Leave a comment and let me know!
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When I looked at all my clutter, I was definitely overwhelmed. It took 25 years to collect, so it would take time to go through. Initially I decided a box a day would make a difference with the option to tackle another if I could finish before needing to stop. Quicker than expected, I had cleared a lot of space, providing momentum to continue progress. I have not completed one complete pass, but have redone a few areas as I decide new items to purge.
I have a “just one little thing” list. And only one little task is allowed to be on it at a time. I used to make a long list of everything that needed to be done, and I never got through with it all. Just looking at the long list was exhausting. Now, as soon as I think of the next “one little thing” I want to do, I allow myself to put that on the list. Then I don’t put anything else on the list until I have checked that thing off, along with the date of completion. Now I have a concise list of successfully completed decluttering tasks to refer to, every single one already checked off and dated, instead of a long column of not-yet-done items stretching into the dim future.
I’m in the process of renovating my cluttered home one room at a time. I must remove everything from a room (and I mean everything) before the contractor can begin. Once he’s done with a room then I can move back in, intentionally. I have resolved to resist the urge to over fill a room with furniture and things. I’ve adapted the mindset less-is-more. The feeling of peace is definitely worth the purge.
I am having my kitchen remodeled and flooring going into my great room and a bath. I also am doing as you are. I have cleared out most in my great room and am loving less. I will be very intentional with kitchen items. My husband always says addition by subtraction.
I need help. I’m 71 years old and I have acquired so much, from the enormous amount of beautiful clothes shoes purses etc that were necessary when I was working. Realistically I will never use these items again. My daughter who is 30 doesn’t have the same taste. I have so much more than that and my biggest concern is I don’t want to pass on expecting my children to deal with it. They have busy lives. Could you please give me a direction so I can deal with it
Could you find a program for women starting over or starting out that need clothes? Perhaps a women’s shelter or employment agency? Best of luck!
brilliant idea
There are decluttering services you can hire to help you! People who are experts and do stuff like this every day. Try searching your area and “decluttering service” on google. Maybe try other terms like organising help, hoarder help, house sorting services etc to see what pops up and if someone seems like a good fit for you.
Make sure you look for reviews and maybe ask one of your children to check them out before you give anyone money to make sure they’re legitimate. It’s always good to be super careful, scammers are getting really good with technology these days
I’m 70, and I know what your going through.
my daughters onto want everything. I agree with take it slowly, I’ve been decluttering for couple years. you probably won’t want to do what I do, I get enough to fill my car, then do a bootsale.
I do a freemat and put loads on it, you’d be surprised what people take. then sell few items to cover price of table place.
or take a trolly load every time you declutter a area. but make sure they have a rag man if taking clothes, and the accept and want what your giving, otherwise it will go in the bin….fact with fussy charity shops.
good luck, if your in Hampshire daughter and I might be able to help x
Let your kids deal with it. Not to be insensitive to you or your kids, but it is so much easier for them to get rid of things that they don’t have an attachment to. It would’ve been an agony for my mother to go through her clothes and decide what she didn’t need anymore. It took me just a few minutes to pull out a few items that appealed to me and put the rest in a donation bag after she passed away. (But it is still hard to get rid of my own stuff.). That being said, when I reached a certain age, there were clothes that were easy to get rid of, short skirts, high heels, tight dresses etc.
One method that’s recommended on the Internet is to turn all your hangers around. As you wear something, you turn the hanger for that item the opposite way. Then at the end of a month, you know which outfits you tend to wear.
Have you read the book “Swedish Desth Cleaning” by Margareta Magnussen?
I started decluttering after reading it.
I am in the process of decluttering slowing. I am not letting anyone rush me, guilt me or even help me. The offers to help come with good intentions, but for me it causes more anxiety than the clutter. I don’t necessarily focus on one room, but I am intentional about what happens to the items moved. This helps me to not second guess what to do with it. I open all envelopes. It’s trash, or it needs to be dealt with. If it’s a bill pay it, or setup payment, then trash. Clothing can be tricky. We all want to get back to our high school size. But realistically if you are not working towards that goal let it go. It is true that what goes around comes back around, so that little black dress will come back in style and a new one is even better. Good Luck my fellow declutters.
Regarding clothes, I kept only those which fit my body now, that are comfortable, that are in good shape, and that I like to wear. Nothing else is useful to me. If it’s too large or too small, irritates my skin, doesn’t please my eye when I turn 360 degrees in the mirror, or is disfigured with tears, stretches, or stains, it doesn’t belong in my closet to greet me every morning that I’m searching something to wear. My goal in decluttering my closet was to be happy with everything in it, to pull out any random thing and know that it suits me perfectly. Reaching that goal was invaluable.
Have 40 plus years of clutter- much was placed in a trailer to downsize house & get ready to have our home worked on- construction wise!! I need lots of help with this undertaking- please help me
I have been decluttering for many years. I’ve taken the slower approach for several reasons and it has worked for me. You can incorporate other decluttering methods within the slower approach. It really depends on your personality, time, etc as to which one you use but just start. Whatever you do will ve an improvement! There’s no right way. I can highly recommend decluttering after a trip away. Living out of a suitcase shows how little you really need and incentivizes you to get rid of the excess. Also, teach your kids from young not to accumulate. Having dealt with 2 estates, please please do not leave the burden of stuff to your heirs. It’s your responsibility and it is so selfish to leave your mess for someone else to deal with.
I respectfully, but heartily disagree, (unless it’s a hoard that’s over the top.) I’m not dead yet, and I wouldn’t want to be pressured by my heirs to become minimalist and get rid of all my things that bring me pleasure. If my kids told me to get rid of my stuff before I die to save them the ‘trouble’, well…who is selfish again? Nowadays, there are a bazillion real estate flipping companies that will buy a house in any condition. So heirs can take what they want and leave the rest. If you want to declutter, do it at your own comfortable pace, without stress or guilt!
I have spent the last month decluttering almost 50 years of ‘stuff’ in our attic. It is now lovely and clean with clearly labelled storage boxes round the sides and practically everything that’s gone was of no remaining value! Lots of trips to our local dump and recycling! This has given me the incentive to take on the next step!! It feels wonderful. ‘Slowly’ is really working for me so far.
5 things a day – these go into items for the Charity shop, items for the Tip, items to mark Free and out on the drive, items to givexaway. Result is easy to manage cupboards and drawers and I haven’t regretted anything that has gone – yet.
I did two major declutters, one in the winter of 2024 and one in the spring of 2025. Each declutter took 3 months. The first time, the hardest part was letting go of beautiful things. I was honest with myself about what I was not only not using, but probably would never use. I’ll probably never bake again so I let go of my extensive Mason Cash collection and mixer. I would never use formal dinnerware so I let go the Royal Doulton. I no longer drank alcohol so let go the stemware. All of these items were beautiful and expensive, a showcase in my cluttered galley kitchen. Oh how I enjoyed cooking once it was all gone.
I also fretted over clothes. Tags still hung on quite a few items that I knew “weren’t me” but I’d paid a pretty penny. I had a talk with myself again. The money was spent, not coming back. I let the clothes go. There was enough room in my closet that nothing wrinkled while hanging.
The following year I decluttered furniture and decor. I ditched a red leather sofa that had seen better days, art that no longer spoke to me, 12 throw pillows and blankets that had absolutely no use. I got rid of pounds of cheap bed linen I bought in 2008 and unloaded dozens and dozens of books I would never open again. I cut my purse collection to a third. The fun part, though, was stripping my coffee table near bare. No more guilt. All of those gift items that people gave me at Christmas that I kept out of obligation were trashed. Once I understood that my home is a reflection of my personality, my tastes, I felt free to keep only what I wanted.
Finally, after deep cleaning which included a professional carpet shampoo, I felt ready to remodel, not with a minimalist eye, but with simplicity in mind. Boy was that fun. I bought a few dream furniture pieces, 4 gallery works of art, plants, and delicious French flax linen sheets. There’s a lot of what poets call “white space,” the space around the poem that lets your eyes rest, lets the reader breathe. I can walk around the furniture, the rooms are airy, each with a little twist of mustard yellow and gold, like a theme through winding prose.
My home is my little sanctuary, so necessary as I face health issues that have kept me inside during the oppressive summer heat. What fun it all was. I know, though, that decluttering is continuous. May I honor my 12 month no-buy rule.
Thanks for the advice and motivation!!! Slow and steady wins the race!!!!
I started a month ago with my clothes. Some went into the trash and 3 large garbage bags went to the local thrift shop. Next I cleaned out my small enclosed back porch which is right off my kitchen. I has a tendency to be a catch all. We sold a bunch of stuff on FB Marketplace and again some was trash. Next I tackled my sewing room. I used to quilt and do wool applique, so there was lots of thread a fabric. I sold all of it. Yipee! Next i will tackle the kitchen and get rid of anything that is no longer used, stand mixer, blender, instant, my small food processor. is no longer bake bread, I prefer the crockpot, we no longer make mixed drinks. So that will all get sold also. We sold our big grill on the patio. We no longer entertain. So far I have made over $1000. This is only one month in. We still have to tackle the garage and workshop and the garden shed. We are actually having fun doing this. And it is very satisfying to see things thinned out. It will be so much easier to clean.