Too Overwhelmed to Start? Try This

We all have that one space..

You walk into the room. You look around. You immediately want to walk back out.

If your space feels like too much right now, (too cluttered, too chaotic, too far gone) I want you to know: this is a very normal place to be. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy or messy or failing. It means you’re human, and your brain just doesn’t yet know where to begin.

Here’s what I recommend instead of powering through or shutting down:

1. Choose one tiny task

Not a whole room. Not a whole category. Just one thing.

• Emptying one tote

• Tossing five things from the junk drawer

• Putting all the dirty laundry in one spot

Small is fine. Tiny is perfect. Let’s build momentum, not finish the whole project today.

2. Don’t edit, just group

Sometimes, when we try to make organizing decisions right away, it gets overwhelming fast. Instead of sorting and decluttering and figuring out where things go... let’s just start by grouping similar items together. That alone can make the space feel less chaotic, and give you a clearer picture of what you’re working with.

3. Give yourself a time limit

Set a timer for 10 minutes. When it goes off, stop. You don’t need to organize for hours to make progress. In fact, doing just a little is often what breaks the mental barrier and helps you keep going tomorrow.

One last thing

Overwhelm thrives in silence and shame. If you're feeling stuck, you're not alone, and there's nothing wrong with needing help. Whether it's a friend, a partner, or a pro (hi!), it's okay to ask for support.

You've got this. And you don't have to do it all today.

xo Chloe