3 Decluttering Myths That Are Keeping You Stuck
A recent article in The New York Times highlighted several common myths around decluttering, many of which make the process harder than it needs to be. (Here’s the link to the article, but you’ll need an account to access it: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/realestate/decluttering-myths-spring-cleaning.html)
I see these come up all the time with clients, and they’re often the reason people feel stuck before they even begin. Here are three that stood out and my personal take.
Myth: I need to buy a bunch of baskets and bins before I can organize.
Many people approach the decluttering/organizing process backwards. It feels like the first step should be buying the right containers, bins, and drawer dividers when in reality that comes much later, if at all.
Buying containers too early is one of the fastest ways to waste time and money, because until you declutter, you don’t actually know:
what you’re keeping
how much space you need
or what kind of storage will work
Declutter first. Then—and only then—choose containers that fit your space and your habits.
Otherwise, those beautiful baskets just become more clutter!
Myth: I don't have the time to declutter.
The article points out that decluttering doesn’t have to be a massive time commitment, but I would add that it depends.
There’s no single “right” amount of time, it depends on the person and the situation.
For some people, small sessions work really well: 10–15 minutes, one drawer or one shelf. This approach is great if you’re busy, tend to get overwhelmed, or just need a way to get started.
But for others, especially with larger or time-sensitive projects, it can actually be more effective to block off a bigger chunk of time. In those cases, shorter sessions can feel like you’re barely making a dent. A few focused hours, or even a dedicated day, can create real momentum and visible progress.
Ask yourself: What kind of time commitment will help me make meaningful progress right now?
Sometimes that’s 15 minutes. Sometimes it’s a full afternoon. Both are valid and both work.
Myth: When I'm done, I'm done.
This is one of the most misleading beliefs out there.
The article emphasizes that decluttering isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process made up of small, repeated decisions.
If you expect to be “done,” you’ll always feel like you’re falling behind, because life keeps happening: things come into your home, needs change, spaces evolve.
Instead of aiming to be finished, aim to make your home easier to maintain.
That looks like:
having a place for things you actually use
reducing how much you have to manage
creating systems that are simple enough to stick
When that’s in place, you don’t need big resets anymore. You just make small adjustments as you go.
A Better Way to Think About Decluttering
The New York Times article does a great job of challenging the myths.
Decluttering isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s not about doing it all at once. And it’s definitely not about buying the right bins. It’s about making a series of small decisions that add up to a home that feels easier to live in.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, it might not be a lack of motivation, it might just be that you’ve been working off the wrong assumptions.
Let go of those and the process becomes a whole lot simpler.
