Ask The Organizer: What should I declutter first?

Q. What should I declutter first when everything feels equally messy?

A. When everything feels messy, it’s tempting to try and tackle an entire room all at once, but that usually leads to burnout before you see progress. Instead, we recommend choosing a high-impact area you use every day, like your kitchen counter, bedroom nightstand, or entryway. These spaces affect your daily routine, so even a small improvement can make your whole home feel more manageable. Keep it contained at first; focus on one small area, one surface, or one category within that space so you can actually finish it and build momentum.

Always sort and categorize items as you go. Gathering like items (such as utensils, skincare, or clothing) helps you see what you have and make clearer decisions about what to put back, what can be donated or thrown away, and what can be moved somewhere else. Once you’ve created a win in a high-impact area, you can expand from there.

If everything feels equally messy, that’s your cue to simplify your starting point. Consistent, focused progress, especially in the spaces you use most often, will always be more effective than trying to overhaul everything at once.