Signs it’s Time to Declutter

Sometimes, when life feels overwhelming, stressful or frustrating, you might not realize that decluttering and simplifying can do a lot to help. But when you start to notice these red flags, that can help remind you that it might be time to declutter.

Clutter can slowly creep into your home, often without you even realizing it. And once it's there, that clutter can start to affect your mental health, productivity, stress levels and overall well-being.

If any of these resonate with you, it could be a signal that simplifying your space will help you create a calmer, more intentional home.

Clear the clutter and reclaim your space and peace of mind!

Signs it's Time to Declutter

You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Space

A clear sign that it is time to declutter is when certain rooms or your home in general make you feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Instead of your home being a space where you can relax and unwind, clutter creates mental chaos, stress and overwhelm.

This feeling of overwhelm often comes from too much stuff, causing clutter. Making it hard to focus or enjoy your home. When a space feels crowded or disorganized, it can affect your mood and make daily tasks feel more stressful than they need to be.

Start by focusing on one room or area at a time. Declutter slowly and intentionally, creating pockets of calm that help reduce stress and bring more peace into your home.

You are Constantly Losing and Misplacing Things

Do you spend more time looking for things than actually using them? If you are frequently losing things like your keys, phone, or other essentials, clutter might be to blame.

When there is no system in place and things don't have a designated home, it's easy for important items to get buried or misplaced. When this happens, it not only wastes time but also adds unnecessary frustration to your days.

As you declutter, aim to create a home for everything. Give commonly used items a designated spot to keep them. You may have to do some decluttering to give everything a home, so don't be afraid to get rid of what you don't use, need or love to make space for what you do!

You Feel Like You're Running Out of Space

When your drawers, closets, and countertops are overflowing, it's a sign that you've accumulated more than you need and it's time to declutter.

If it feels like your home is bursting at the seams and you are running out of room to store things, it's time to declutter.

Clutter takes up valuable space, making it difficult to find homes for the items you actually use and enjoy.

Look at what's currently taking up space in your home and ask yourself if those items truly add value to your life. Start getting rid of anything you no longer use, need or love. Decluttering not only frees up physical space in your home, but also helps it feel lighter and more functional.

You Notice You Are Buying Duplicate Items

If you often find yourself buying duplicates of items you already own, such as kitchen gadgets, tools or clothing, because you can't find the original, it's a sign that clutter is making it hard to stay organized.

When your home is cluttered, it becomes difficult to keep track of what you own, leading to unnecessary purchases. This adds more clutter to your home and costs you money.

Start by decluttering so you have less to manage and keep track of. As you declutter, take inventory of what you have. This will not only help you avoid buying duplicates but also highlight what you genuinely need versus what's just adding clutter.

Your Home isn't Functioning Well

Are your kitchen counters covered in paperwork? Is your guest room packed with storage boxes instead of being a welcome space for visitors?

When clutter takes over areas that should be functional, it's a clear sign it's time to declutter. Your home should serve your needs, and clutter can prevent that from happening.

Whether it's a lack of counter space for cooking or a home office buried in distractions, clutter takes away from the functionality of your space.

Reclaim your spaces by clearing out the clutter that's preventing you from using them effectively. Focus on creating functional zones in your home that make daily tasks easier and more enjoyable.

You Feel Guilty or Embarrassed About Your Home

Do you avoid inviting people over because you feel embarrassed about the state of your home?

Clutter can bring feelings of guilt or shame, making it hard to feel proud of your home.

When your home is cluttered, you might constantly feel like it's "never clean enough," even if you are spending hours tidying up.

Start small and work through the clutter at your own pace. As you declutter, you will not only make your home more welcoming for guests but also create a home you can enjoy being in and feel proud of sharing.

You Are Spending Too Much Time Cleaning or Tidying Up

If cleaning and organizing your home feels like a never-ending task, clutter is likely the culprit. When you have too many things, it takes significantly longer to clean, organize, and maintain your space.

Instead of spending time doing things you enjoy, you may find yourself constantly tidying up or shuffling items around, which can feel exhausting and unproductive.

Declutter your home with the intention of reducing the number of things you need to clean, maintain and take care of. By keeping only what adds value to your life, you will simplify your cleaning routine, free up more time for yourself and the things you enjoy doing.

You Are Holding onto Things "Just in Case"

Are you holding onto items you haven't used in years, telling yourself you might need them someday? Keeping things "just in case" is a common reason clutter builds up over time.

While it's okay to be prepared for the future, holding onto excessive amounts of stuff you don't currently need or use can quickly lead to clutter.

Evaluate the items you are holding onto for hypothetial reasons. If you haven't used it in the past year and there is no clear reason you will need it soon, consider letting it go. Decluttering these "just in case" items frees up space for what truly matters.

Your Wardrobe is Full, but You Feel Like You Have Nothing to Wear

If your closet is packed but you still feel like you have nothing to wear, it's a sign you might need to declutter your wardrobe.

Often, cluttered wardrobes hide clothes you actually love and wear, making it hard to see what you have already. Holding onto clothes that don't fit, or out of style, or that you no longer enjoy wearing only adds to the overwhelm.

Go through your wardrobe piece by piece. Keep only the items that fit well, make you feel confident, and align with your current lifestyle. A decluttered wardrobe can simplify your morning routine and help you make better use of the clothes you love.