Have you ever looked around your house and felt instantly frustrated by everything you see?

Perhaps items are out of place, and you can’t decide what to do with them. Or maybe you’ve tried sorting things out, but you ran out of time or headspace to deal with it.

If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Our homes, and more specifically, our belongings, can be a constant source of overwhelm, and most of us were never taught how to deal with them.

Four years ago, my house was draining me at a time when I needed all the help I could get. I was a sleep-deprived mum to a toddler, and when I wasn’t parenting, I was writing my doctoral thesis on skull relics from mediaeval Germany. We’d moved house the year before, at the start of the COVID pandemic. Juggling family and work alongside major life changes was hectic, to say the least. Submitting my thesis left me utterly burnt out.

I resisted the knee-jerk reaction to start applying for academic positions. What I really needed was a break, one that would allow me to regain some balance in my life. At the time, I didn’t realise that I also needed to regain control over my time, my surroundings, and my overworked nervous system.

So, I decided to focus on improving our family home. It felt like the one thing that I could directly influence, and it was something that we would all benefit from. I’ve never been great at sitting still, so during my 'time off' I decluttered and organised our entire home. Living in survival mode for years meant our house paid the price; we’d delayed house projects both big and small. Some spaces still felt unfinished, like we hadn’t fully moved in. There were walls to paint, pictures to hang, and a backlog of belongings that needed to be dealt with.

As I worked through each space, I felt lighter, calmer, and more in control. I was finally making decisions, completing projects, and bringing intention back into our home. Within seven months, I worked through the entire house, from top to bottom, methodically shaping each space to fit our family’s needs.

With every cleared shelf, organised cupboard, and donation drop-off, I felt an instant boost. But beyond that, I noticed something deeper; I was more focused and more balanced. With less clutter in our home, there was simply less to manage. I became a more present parent, and as a family, we finally felt at home in our home.

When it came time to return to work, my priorities had changed. After 25 years in academia, I chose a new path: helping others declutter and create supportive homes. And I’ve never looked back.

I’ve learned, both personally and professionally, that change doesn’t need to start big for it to be meaningful. Simply noticing your frustration can be an excellent way to kickstart change in your home.

Anna Miree Photography

So, if you’re looking around your home and wondering how to get started, here are my top tips to start decluttering your home:

Get clear on the ‘why’ behind your project. Having a clear vision can be your north star, especially if you hit some roadblocks along the way. You might have an overall why, and then small reasons for particular spaces. For example, “I want to feel more relaxed at home” might be an overall goal, whereas “I want to host family in this spare room” could be your space-specific goal.

Start small and simple before tackling bigger projects. Decluttering is like a muscle, and it gets easier with guidance and practice. Start with functional categories that you can edit in 10-15 minutes. Think a pen pot, sock drawer, medicine cabinet, spice rack, stationary, or your wallet.

Declutter by category. Gather like with like items, before you decide to keep or release. Not only does this tactic allow you to break down bigger projects, it reduces the mental fatigue that can complicate your decluttering process. You'll make more clear and confident decisions when you can see exactly how many baking trays you actually have.

Know when to take a break. Decluttering is a task that requires a lot of physical, mental, and emotional effort, especially when you’re working on bigger projects and sentimental categories. Recognise the signs of being tired, overwhelmed, confused, or procrastinating during a project. Step away, even if it’s for a 5 minute tea break, and return when you feel refreshed.

Make sure your donations and recycle items leave your house regularly. It’s very common to skip the final step of decluttering, but when this happens you miss out on the full benefit of your hard work - that incredible sense of freedom from excess. Schedule in a quick stop at your local charity shop or recycle point. Your future self will thank you.



Cher Casey, PhD, is a York-based professional organiser, decluttering expert, and public speaker who helps people simplify and create homes that support their well-being and their daily lives. She takes a holistic and compassionate approach to decluttering and organising. With a background in research and education, she blends psychology and practicality to help people move from overwhelm to clarity. Find out more on her website, instagram, or facebook.

Delivering a decluttering talk Photo: Amber Walsh Photos

What’s next:

Join me at The Art of Decluttering, an in-person workshop to kickstart your decluttering journey. We’ll dive into how to get started, navigate common barriers, maximise space in your home, and all the wonderful things you can re-home and donate locally. A great way to love up your home this spring.

Wednesday 13th May 7-9pm

Impossible York

Tickets: £25

Book tickets here