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You are here: Home / At Home / Decluttering Your Home / 5 Steps to Decluttering an Overwhelming Space

October 2, 2017 by Angela

5 Steps to Decluttering an Overwhelming Space

It’s time.

I’ve been avoiding it for months now.

I’ve made excuses.

I’ve averted my eyes.

I’ve sighed about the state of things, and “shoulds” fill my mind, but my energy level just never matches the task.

But now, it’s time.

Time for what you ask?

Time to declutter the basement, what I’ve called our “area of shame” in the past.

5 Steps to Declutter an Overwhelming Space

When I started decluttering in 2015, the basement was overflowing. There was a small, clear pathway from the stairs to the washer and dryer but that was it. I only went down there when I had to do laundry and quickly came back up.

basement decluttering project

Our basement – BEFORE

Do the Visible Spaces First

Our house was better…but also needed a ton of decluttering. Our basement was one of overwhelming spaces that needed decluttering.

Since I started this blog in 2015, our home is feeling much better with some basic systems and routines for decluttering and cleaning. Although we had some great momentum in the basement before, the momentum slowed down and eventually stopped altogether.

I didn’t have the right mindset to declutter in the basement.

My husband and I also stopped talking about the basement and working together.

My focus was on clearing clutter in our house.

Since that time, I’ve developed some helpful daily, weekly, and monthly routines in my life. I’ve also realized that decluttering my home is not a project that is ever complete. It requires our regular attention, or else the clutter creeps in again. Unless we hold our vision for the space, and keep to our systems of maintenance, the clutter will always return!

First Steps in Decluttering an Overwhelming Space

There are a few things I’ve learned since I’ve been decluttering our home which I’ve been implementing since we’ve been working on our basement:

  • Focus on your own things if you’re working in a shared space.
  • Declutter from a place of gratitude. Also, the importance of changing our negative thoughts into more helpful ones.
  • Have a vision or a goal of what you want for your space.
  • Pick one next action step that is simple.
  • Find some form of accountability. Doing weekly FB Lives on my blog page Setting My Intention has been a huge source of motivation and accountability!

I talk about all these things in my FB Live series. I’m going live every Friday (usually around noon) – I invite you to follow along, and tackle YOUR area of shame.

10 Step decluttering process

PIN IT FOR LATER: 

5 Steps to Declutter an Overwhelming Space

What is your overwhelming space? Let me know in the comments!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Secret to Decluttering

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About Angela

Wife. Mom to three boys. Writer. Reader. Aspiring Minimalist. Lover of chocolate and fitness. She loves blogging about the ways she is finding success in simplifying life one step at a time. Her mantra is "Progress, not Perfection."

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Comments

  1. Melinda says

    October 3, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    Great action steps, Angela!

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Thanks Melinda!

  2. Michele says

    October 6, 2017 at 11:37 am

    My basement needs a massive decluttering. It is the only space in my house that is cluttered. it is so easy to put things down there and then forget about it. I have boxes that I have not opened since we moved three years ago. Now that it is fall, maybe we can take a weekend and get it down. I know it will look better and I will feel better to get rid of the mess.

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:52 pm

      Yes! Do it Michele! It will feel awesome. Good luck!

  3. Michele Morin says

    October 8, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    I need to attack my book cases. Thanks for this boost!

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:53 pm

      You’re welcome! How did it go?

  4. Natalie A says

    October 9, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    Thank you for the 5 Steps to Declutter! I am always needing to declutter somewhere. My areas are the basement and office.

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:53 pm

      Yes! Basements and offices are common areas of shame, aren’t they?

  5. Rhyming with Wine says

    October 11, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    I’m actually quite lucky as I’ve moved house 25 times now in my thirty (mumbles) years on this rock. I’m a horder by nature so I’d have built up so much clutter by now if it wasn’t for moving so regularly. It kind of keeps me in check! I understand how the FB live event will help motivate though and it’s great to tackle these things together. Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      I’ve often had that thought – I wish I were moving so it would keep me constantly shedding stuff! That’s a major benefit to moving!

  6. Susan says

    October 12, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    What great tips. Sometimes you’ve just got to get in there and do the hard work of decluttering. Congrats, you’re featured at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Thank you for the feature Susan! Yes – it is hard work, but very gratifying (in a weird way!)

  7. Ali Duke says

    October 13, 2017 at 8:07 am

    I am tackling my area of shame , my crafting corner at the weekend. My daughter is going to help me. I will definitely be thinking of these tips as I do it.
    #brillblogposts

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      Wonderful Ali! Hope your crafting corner is decluttered and beautifully functional!

  8. Leslie says

    October 13, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    We all have those areas of shame in our house. Love your action steps to fixing the situation, and totally agree that you have to approach it with an attitude of gratitude! Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 10:57 pm

      Thanks Leslie! An attitude of gratitude is a must – when decluttering and all other areas of life as well (I’m learning!)

  9. Lisa Pomerantz says

    October 16, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    Great post! Not a person on the planet that doesn’t need a good declutter every now and again! I may just leave my laptop open while the Mrs. is around, and perhaps she will subtly see this … #dreamteam

    • Angela says

      October 27, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      There might be someone on the planet, but I don’t know them!! 🙂

Hi Friend! I’m Angela

Welcome to my blog where I write about simplifying life in small, manageable steps and creating healthy habits. You'll find inspiration, practical tips and community here for the decluttering you're doing in your own life. (whether that's physical, mental, or emotional clutter) Thanks so much for stopping by! Read More…

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How to Start Making Changes in 5 Important Areas

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