Finding Your Right Starting Place
A women’s closet with white shelves and island and a capsule wardrobe
If you’ve resolved to get more organized and you’re already feeling overwhelmed—or maybe just unsure how to start or how to keep going—I want you to pause for a moment and take a breath. That feeling doesn’t mean you’re behind or doing anything wrong. It usually just means you’re trying to think about everything all at once. And organizing doesn’t work best that way. It works best when we meet ourselves exactly where we are.
The Moment That Trips So Many People Up
When someone is starting to get organized for the first time, or the first time in a long while, I like to gently shift the question. Instead of “How do I organize my whole house?” I ask, What phase of organizing would serve me best right now in my life?
For many people, that phase is simply decluttering. Letting go of the things you don’t like, don’t use, don’t need. Items that are expired, broken, chipped, or just extra. Not because you have to, but because your space is quietly asking for some breathing room.
The Shift That Brings Relief
If it’s been more than six months since you’ve decluttered throughout your home, it’s probably time to do it again. And sometimes—this surprises people—even if it’s only been a couple of weeks, it can still be helpful to do another pass. Life changes. Stuff sneaks back in. That’s normal.
What matters is giving yourself permission to focus on just this phase. Decluttering, and nothing else. You don’t need to worry about bins, labels, or color coordination yet. Those pieces can come later. They’re wonderful tools, and I love using them with my clients—but they don’t need to lead the process.
The Encouragement I Want You to Hear
Starting with decluttering keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and keeps judgment out of the room. You’re not failing because your house doesn’t look like Pinterest. That’s okay. Truly. Even some of those houses don’t look like that in real life.
Progress comes from choosing one clear, kind step and letting that be enough for today. When you focus on the phase that fits your life right now, organizing becomes calmer, lighter, and much more doable.
As you move forward, remember that organizing isn’t about perfection or presentation. It’s about making your space support you. Every decision you make with clarity, every item you let go of with intention, is a small act of care for yourself and your home.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva @anastasia-shuraeva
