Feeling Overwhelmed by Clutter? Here’s Where Pro Organizers Start When a Space Feels Out of Control

The labyrinth of clutter chaos can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate, to the point where it leaves you feeling exhausted, frozen, and unsure where to turn. But just like any maze, there’s a way out. You just have to take it one step at a time—and, ideally, in the right direction. 

“[A messy home] can feel like a reflection of everything else going on in our lives, and when life is chaotic, the clutter can feel like one more thing we should be handling but just can’t,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space. “Our brains start to panic or shut down when they can’t see a clear starting point, and suddenly even sorting a stack of mail feels like climbing Everest.”

In other words: We’ve all been there. So, what is the right step to take? According to Duckworth, it’s all about starting small and gaining momentum from there. Here’s what she and other pro organizers do first to get their clutter under control.

Pick a Tiny Task

Start by identifying a simple and obvious task. Duckworth says, “I shrink the problem. I pick one tiny task, like throwing out any obvious trash or just clearing one corner of a surface,” she says.

Other examples include unloading or loading the dishwasher, making the bed, removing items from the couch, putting all the dirty laundry in the hamper, or folding any clean laundry. Basically, start with simple stuff and then move on to the harder-to-sort items later. 

Commit to Just 30 Minutes

Organizing a cluttered space can feel like climbing Mount Everest because you know it might take a while to get to the finish line, but working in short bursts can help get you going. 

“I block off up to 30 minutes at a time to start sorting through [the space],” says Meghan Cocchiaro, professional home organizer and founder of Organized by Meg. “Anything more can be an overwhelming amount of time for someone to mentally commit to, and so many of us already have very little time to spare, hence the mess in the first place!” 

Forget About Perfection

Another reason we can feel frozen in a sea of clutter is that we’re afraid of making a mistake or ending up with an imperfect result. Toss that out the window and just roll with it. You’ll get there, we promise! “I don’t worry about making the space perfect,” Duckworth says. “I just get some momentum going—even three minutes of progress is still progress!” 

Create a Game Plan for the Future 

You’re going to feel amazing after wrapping up that first 30 minutes. You might even want to keep going for longer once you get on a roll. “Celebrate the small wins and use the clear headedness you gain as motivation to tackle more later,” Cocchiaro says. The goal is to declutter and clean first, and then you can develop some organizational systems. 

“When you are making decisions about your things and tidying up, try to learn something from each decision you’re making in terms of how you can avoid this build-up in the future again,” she says. “How can you simplify? Buy less so you have less to manage? Buy less in bulk so you don’t have to store as much? Buy less impulsively?”

Also ensure every item has a designated place in your home to keep things tidy. When you know where an item goes, it’s easy to put it back. Bins, baskets, hangers, drawers, and shelves can all help you create those designated spots. 

And remember: Keeping a tidy home is a work in progress, and clutter has nothing to do with your character. Messes happen and there’s always a path forward, so be kind and patient with yourself along the way.