Where to Start When You're Overwhelmed by Clutter

Decluttering can feel like an insurmountable task when there’s just so much stuff. It’s easy to get stuck, wondering where to start. Should you organize the kitchen cabinets? Attack the piles of clothes in the bedroom? Or maybe the living room, where toys, books, and random items have taken over? The overwhelm is real, and it can be paralyzing.

Here’s a simple yet powerful strategy: start with the trash. That’s right—just pick up the trash. Whether it’s old receipts, packaging, broken items, or papers you don’t need, clearing out what’s clearly disposable is an immediate win. Not only will you see instant progress, but it will also give you the momentum you need to keep going.

Once the obvious trash is out of the way, you’ll find that the clutter becomes much more manageable. You’ll see what you’re actually dealing with, and from there, you can start sorting things into categories—keep, donate, sell, or recycle. The key is to start somewhere, and starting with the trash is one of the easiest and most effective ways to jump-start your organizing project.

Remember, you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Decluttering is a process, and even small actions can lead to big results over time. The feeling of accomplishment from just clearing one area can motivate you to move on to the next. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. Just start with the trash—and watch how the clutter, and your stress, begins to disappear.