Decluttering Myths You Need to Stop Believing

I remember my first big decluttering attempt like it was yesterday. The plan? To rid my home of anything “unnecessary”—and maybe, just maybe, build a perfectly minimalist haven. Spoiler: it didn’t go as planned. In fact, I accidentally started my “decluttering journey” with three bags of garbage… and three hours of regret.

Turns out, decluttering isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. There are a ton of myths out there that can really mess with your process if you let them. Trust me, I learned the hard way. So, let’s dive into some of these myths, and I’ll share the truth (and maybe a few embarrassing stories) along the way.

Myth #1: Decluttering Means Throwing Everything Away

Okay, this one? It’s a doozy. The first thing most people think when they hear “decluttering” is, “Time to throw out everything I own.” That’s how I started—holding a garbage bag like a warrior. In my mind, I was creating a home straight out of a Pinterest board. But by the end of it, I had chucked a sweater I’d barely worn and then realized, “Wait. I could have donated that.” Oops.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering is about keeping the essentials, not trashing everything.
• You can donate, repurpose, or sell—don’t just toss.
• Ask yourself if each item brings value. If it doesn’t? Time to let go.

Here’s the kicker: decluttering doesn’t mean you need to purge everything. You just have to make intentional decisions. If something is still useful or meaningful, then it deserves a place in your home. But hey, if you’ve got a collection of T-shirts from 2005 that only bring back bad memories (looking at you, “party in the USA” concert tee), maybe it’s time to move on.

Myth #2: You Have to Do It All in One Go

Fast forward past three failed attempts and multiple bags of junk—I was feeling super overwhelmed. The myth that decluttering has to happen in one epic, movie-style cleanout? Yeah, that’s total BS. I tried that once. One Saturday, I decided I was going to clean out my entire closet, kitchen, and bookshelves. I didn’t finish the closet until the next Tuesday. Spoiler: the kitchen stayed untouched for weeks.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering can (and should) happen in stages.
• Focus on one area at a time, or even one category (books, clothes, gadgets).
• Take your time; no need to rush.

Look, I get it. The dream is a fresh, clean, minimalist vibe—like those influencer homes where everything is beige. But reality check: your home didn’t get cluttered overnight, and it’s gonna take more than one Sunday afternoon to fix it. Break it down. Do a drawer one day, a shelf the next. Celebrate the small wins.

Myth #3: Only Hardcore Minimalists Can Declutter

This one used to really mess with my head. I’m not a “no furniture, no fun” kind of person. In fact, I love collecting vintage records and weird knick-knacks. The idea that decluttering is reserved for people who live in barren, empty spaces made me feel like my whole life was one big pile of cluttered failure.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to be a minimalist to declutter.
• It’s about finding balance—keeping what you love, ditching what you don’t.
• It’s your space. Fill it with the things that truly matter.

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to become a minimalist. You can still love your stuff and make space for what’s important. My neighbor Tina, for example, has a full bookshelf, a couch covered in throw pillows, and even a vintage lava lamp—and her house is still super organized. It’s all about prioritizing and making your space work for you. So no, you don’t have to throw out your collection of tiny ceramic cats (unless you really want to).

Myth #4: Decluttering Only Applies to Physical Stuff

I’ll admit, I fell into this trap too. I thought, “If I just clean up my physical space, I’ll feel better.” But let’s talk about mental clutter, shall we? The piles of stress, guilt, and unresolved emotions? Yeah, those count as clutter, too. Decluttering your physical space is great, but mental decluttering is where the real magic happens.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering is a two-part job: physical and mental.
• Clear your space and clear your mind.
• Start by tackling emotional clutter, too.

I’ll be honest, when I first got into decluttering, I was focused on my closet—clothes, shoes, jackets, belts… but the truth is, my mind was even more cluttered than my closet. It wasn’t until I took a hard look at my to-do lists and mental baggage that I realized how much headspace I was wasting. Decluttering isn’t just about tossing stuff; it’s about clearing your mind of the unnecessary too.

Myth #5: Decluttering Is Expensive

Oh, this myth. I’ve definitely fallen victim to it. “If I’m going to declutter, I need fancy storage bins and custom shelves,” I thought. Guess what? My bank account did NOT agree with that logic. I ended up buying a bunch of overpriced baskets that are now collecting dust.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering doesn’t require you to buy a ton of new stuff.
• Use what you already have: baskets, bins, boxes, even old jars.
• It’s about reducing clutter, not increasing it.

Listen, you don’t need to drop serious cash on fancy storage bins to be organized. Repurpose old boxes, bags, or even cereal boxes (don’t knock it till you try it) to store your stuff. Get creative. Maybe Pinterest doesn’t need to know everything you’re doing—because you’ve got this.

Myth #6: Decluttering Needs to Be Perfect

I used to think that a decluttered home had to look like a magazine spread. Everything lined up. Neat. Crisp. No stray socks under the coffee table. Guess what? My first try at “perfection” involved me getting frustrated and giving up. The whole point is: perfection isn’t the goal. Your life is messy. Embrace it.

Key Takeaways:

• Decluttering is about progress, not perfection.
• No one’s house is ever perfectly organized all the time.
• Striving for perfection will only lead to frustration.

Look, my living room will never be showroom perfect. My couch has a permanent indentation from where I collapsed after a long day of decluttering. My cat? He’s claiming half the bookshelf as his domain. And you know what? That’s okay. No one’s life looks like a Pinterest board 24/7. Decluttering is about finding what works for you, not obsessing over what it “should” look like.

Myth #7: You Need to Get Rid of Sentimental Items

Okay, the sentimental stuff. This is where it gets tricky. I had this collection of postcards from every place I’d ever visited—and trust me, there were a LOT. I tried to “declutter” it all… until I found a postcard from my first trip to New York. That thing? It wasn’t going anywhere.

Key Takeaways:

• Sentimental items are yours to keep if they bring you joy.
• Let go of items that no longer serve you, but cherish the memories.
• It’s okay to hold on to a few things that make you happy.

You don’t need to ditch every single thing that reminds you of a past memory. Some things are worth keeping. My postcard collection may be a mess, but they hold memories that make me smile. And that’s what matters. Keep the items that still carry meaning, and let go of those that don’t.

Conclusion: Decluttering Is Personal—So Make It Yours

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Decluttering isn’t about fitting into someone else’s ideal. It’s not about living like a minimalist or filling your home with nothing but a few books and a potted plant (unless that works for you). It’s about creating a space that reflects you—with room to breathe, think, and live.

I’ll leave you with this: there’s no one right way to declutter. Just remember to do it at your own pace, keep what you love, and laugh at the absurdity of it all. Because hey, sometimes the only thing that needs to go is the myth that you can do it perfectly.

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