One Shelf Is Enough
If you’ve ever stood in front of a space—your closet, your desk, your kitchen—and felt that familiar wave of overwhelm, I want you to know you’re not alone. That feeling of “I don’t even know where to start” can stop us before we ever begin. I see it all the time, and I feel it too sometimes. Even after all these years, I’m still human. And that’s exactly why this small, gentle approach works so well.
When Overwhelm Sneaks In
I love organizing. Big projects, lots of volume, busy households—those things don’t faze me at all. But deep cleaning? That’s another story.
If my refrigerator needs a full clean-out, I can feel that same resistance my clients describe. I’ll open the door, take one look, and think, This is too much. I don’t want to do this right now. And in that moment, I’m reminded why overwhelm has nothing to do with ability—it’s about how big the task feels.
The Power of One Small Section
So I don’t clean the whole refrigerator. I cleaned one shelf.
Just one.
I take everything off that shelf, clean it thoroughly with a Norwex environment cloth so it’s safe, easy, and non-toxic, and then I put items back one at a time. As I do, I gently ask myself: Is this expired? Is it icky? Do we even need this anymore? I wipe each item, return what belongs, and when that shelf is done, I stop.
And here’s the magic part—sometimes I feel so good about that progress that I choose to do another shelf. And sometimes I don’t. Both outcomes are perfectly fine.
Progress Builds Momentum
Organizing often works the same way. When you break a project down into a really small chunk of time or a really small area—ten minutes, one drawer, one shelf—you give yourself permission to succeed without pressure. Progress builds confidence, and confidence builds momentum. There’s no rush, no perfection required. Just one small win at a time.
Every small section you complete is proof that you can do this. And sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going.
When you allow yourself to start small, organizing becomes less about finishing everything and more about caring for yourself along the way. Every shelf, every drawer, every cleared surface is a quiet reminder that progress counts—especially the kind that feels kind and doable.
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: Derick McKinney @derickray
