Trust Me: It Gets Easier

April 2, 2026

For years anytime that I thought about doing my own home decluttering, “paralysis by analysis” set in. It all seemed overwhelming. Where to start? How long would it take? Would I toss something and then later—the horror!—regret doing so?

I did begin, and among the many things I later learned was this—it gets easier the more you do it. You get into a rhythm. Decisions that at first took minutes began taking seconds. Rather than regret or fear, relief set in. The key is to begin, and then continue.

Consider these tips to get your decluttering rolling:

·        Start small. Thinking about decluttering the garage can be overwhelming. Instead, begin with a shelf in the garage or a single contained area. Finish that, celebrate and congratulate yourself, and then move on.  

·        Have the proper tools handy. Items stored for years and years are dusty! As necessary, use cleaning gloves and a mask. Have a large trash bag ready to go. Clean as you go, and you’ll feel the double benefit of less stuff and a cleaner area.

·        Embrace letting go (of things). Donate as many items as you can to secondhand and thrift stores. Yes, you’ll receive a tax credit for this. But more importantly, you’ll get the joy of thinking how much someone else will now appreciate and/or use your item. Let it go. Pass it on.

Good luck with your decluttering projects!