The Simple Guide to Stress-Free Decluttering with Storage

There are probably very few people in the UK right now who have absolutely nothing that needs decluttering. It’s one of those things that many people want to do, but that initial hurdle to getting started can be surprisingly difficult.

If you’ve ever looked around your home at what needs decluttering and felt stuck with where to start, you’re not alone. In fact, 56% of UK adults have rooms in their homes that are unusable due to clutter.

So we all know we should have a clear-out, but why is it so difficult to get started?

Why Is Decluttering So Stressful?

Modern life is busy. It can often feel like a juggling act combining work with kids, life admin, socialising, healthy eating and exercise. Just making it through the day can have an exhausting effect on our mental load when we consider all of the chores and places we need to be before bedtime again!

Throw in another time-consuming task, and it’s likely to be at the bottom of the list of priorities.

And that’s just getting started! Even once you’ve set aside enough time to go through and declutter, you’re then faced with emotional decisions. Every item requires a choice, whether that be to keep it, donate it, bin it, or store it, and then there’s the fear of regret that you’ll get rid of something you’ll need later.

When all of this happens at once, it can feel exhausting before you’ve even begun.

Why Is It So Hard to Let Go of Things?

Decluttering and letting go of belongings isn’t purely a practical task; you may be faced with a number of emotional decisions that you hadn’t considered before starting.

It could be that an item holds a lot of sentimental value, such as something the kids wore when they were newborn, or an ornament that belonged to a relative who is no longer with us. You may feel guilty about getting rid of something that was expensive or gifted to you, or want to hang on to something ‘just in case’.

These feelings are, of course, completely normal, but aren’t particularly helpful when you want to have a clear out!

Opting for decluttering storage could be a sensible temporary solution to make some room again without being forced to make a permanent decision. You can move items you’re not yet ready to part with into storage, giving you a bit of breathing space, both mentally and physically.

5 Tips on How to Make Decluttering Feel Less Stressful

If you’re still stuck in task paralysis and unable to begin decluttering, it’s always helpful to take smaller steps to make the process feel simpler and more manageable. An entire room is a big feat, whereas starting with just one drawer or shelf will make the decluttering process much easier to get started.

Here are some ideas on how to make the decluttering process feel less stressful:

1. Start small. Don’t focus on the big picture, whether that’s a room, a loft or a garage. Instead, small wins build momentum. Clear one corner, shelf or drawer at a time, and then move on to another small area.
2. Have four clear categories. You should know whether you’re going to keep, donate, bin, or store an item. If you find yourself with more in the ‘keep’ pile rather than the others, consider whether to store it for now and reassess at a later date.
3. Set a timer. Working in short bursts can keep you energised and prevent burnout. 30 minutes is usually a good amount of time to start with, but if you’re in the flow, then there’s nothing stopping you from continuing!
4. Ask for help. Perhaps a lot of the items are things you’ve inherited due to a bereavement. Or it could be that you’re finding it difficult to get on top of the clutter in general. Whatever is making the process difficult, asking trusted friends and family to help and offer perspective can make the process easier.
5. Don’t force permanent decisions. If you’re unsure about something, it’s ok to place it in storage rather than decide in the moment.

You may not get through everything on day one, but progress is still progress, and it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. A gradual declutter is still a step closer to being clutter-free and having all that space back!

Why Storage Takes the Pressure Off

By deferring the emotional decisions, temporary storage provides immediate mental and physical relief. You instantly gain space back, making your home feel calmer, without the pressure of having to part with items you’re not quite ready to let go of. This peace of mind allows you to take your time and make confident choices about what to keep long-term.

Let’s Do This Together

Whether it’s one room you need to declutter or your entire home, finding a flexible option is key to making sure you only pay for what you need. Kangaroo Self Storage offers a range of unit sizes and makes it straightforward for you to access your belongings when you’re ready to reassess what you want to keep, bin, or recycle.

If you want to declutter your home without having to make those emotional decisions right away, find your nearest kangaroo location to store your items until you’re ready to go through them all.