Don’t let common decluttering myths hold you back! I’m sharing five of the top myths I hear and I’m busting them for you. Too often I find at least one of these myths has kept someone from even starting a decluttering project, holding them back from taking control of their home.
So, beware! After reading this you’ll be down one excuse and closer to facing the boogeyman living in your pantry, and one step closer to a space you love to come home to.
Myth: You need to declutter everything at once.
Reality: Take it one small step at a time. Start with one room or category to avoid overwhelm.
Create a reasonable plan and follow through on it. Then be willing to adjust it if it turns out that plan wasn’t reasonable enough.
Believe that you will get to all of the thing on your list at another time so that you can give yourself permission to stay in this moment. Trust in the plan, trust in yourself.
Consistency is key!
Myth: Decluttering is only about getting rid of stuff.
Reality: It's about letting go of the things (even mental or emotional things) that are covering up the life and home you want to have.
Every time a client gets rid of something because they think they’re supposed to, not because they’re ready to, they regret it. But, when they let go of things because it’s the right time, they never regret.
Let go of what no longer serves you.
The artist Michelangelo said, when he was sculpting, that he was removing the excess that was covering up the work of art that had been in the stone all along.
That's what you're doing when you declutter. Finding the work of art that has been there all along
Myth: Minimalism is the only way to declutter.
Reality: Find a balance that works for you. Decluttering is about creating a functional and peaceful space tailored to your needs.
Keep what brings you joy and serves a purpose. I know people with beautifully organized and uncluttered homes that are full up with stuff. It's all stuff they love and are displaying and using. It's cozy! I also know those with open, airy, minimalist homes, that they love just as much.
A minimalist home is an uncluttered home, but not all uncluttered homes are minimalist. My home is uncluttered, but you would never call it minimalist. Salon style wall hangings, tons of cozy throw blankets and pillows on the couches make it hygge. Decluttering allowed us to define our style.
You define your decluttering style then you can define your home style.
Myth: Decluttering is wasteful.
Reality: It can feel weird getting rid of things you never used. It can feel wrong to put stuff in the garbage when you can't figure out where else it could go. Think of it this way instead, it is the process you have to go through to set yourself free to create new habits
It can save you money in the long run by making you mindful of what you purchase and avoiding duplicates.
Decluttering and creating systems so you know what you have and where it is, is like starting over with a fresh palette. You can create a commitment to yourself to remain intentional from today onward.
You won't have to feel wasteful again if you give yourself permission to let go now.
Myth: It's all or nothing.
Reality: Progress, not perfection! Even small decluttering efforts make a difference. You do not have to get an entire room done in one day to prove you've done something.
You're more likely to stay motivated and keep going if you give yourself permission to do small chunks regularly, and to stop when you begin to feel exhausted.
I’ve seen people with the best of intentions start out strong and stop in the middle of a project because they bit off more than they can chew. I’ve also seen people slowly creep along and accomplish monumental tasks over long periods of time by doing what feels like tiny bits in the moment, but turn out to be exactly what they could handle.
Stop pushing yourself so hard. It's holding you back.
THE TAKEAWAY
Don't let myths or assumptions stop you from achieving your goals. It’s too easy to use those as excuses to not do the work.
You may need to ask yourself why you wouldn’t let yourself have the home of your dreams? Do you think you don’t deserve it? Do you think you’ll fail? Do you think you aren’t good enough?
If you scoffed at those questions and yet you still haven’t done that project you keep saying you’re going to do, it might be time you and I had a face-to-face conversation because you’re ignoring something.
You can do this and you can have the home you want. (Trust me, I’m a reformed slob!)
Ditch Your Sh*t: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home available for pre-sale now and everywhere books are sold October 7, 2025.