How to Declutter Your Home When You’re Fatigued

Earlier this year, my family and I were planning to move into a new home. Like many other homeowners, we had been working toward this moment for years. It was surreal that it was finally here. But the move prompted me to think about how I could set up my new home in a way that would best support my health.

I’m someone who is easily affected by my environment. I don't think as clearly when my home is messy. I can't rest as fully when the house needs to be cleaned. And I just feel a sense of mental overwhelm when there is a lot of "stuff" around me.

It's hard to declutter when I'm fatigued

Having a decluttered, organized home has always been important to me. But this has been especially true since my multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. So, I'm using my move as an opportunity to purge, declutter, and have what is hopefully a more simplified environment.

But here’s the reality: Decluttering a home, especially for a move, takes a lot of time and energy, neither of which are abundant in a life with MS. How do you declutter when you’re fatigued?

I certainly haven’t discovered a magic formula. But what I have found are some tips and strategies that help me, so that’s what I’m sharing with you here in hopes that they can help you as well.

Here's what has helped me

Set small, achievable goals

First and foremost, it's important to break down the decluttering process into manageable tasks. This is key to any big project, but it's nonnegotiable, in my opinion, for those of us living with MS.

The key is to avoid becoming overwhelmed. This means setting very small, achievable goals. Don’t try to organize an entire room in one day. (Trust me – I tried this, and it simply doesn’t work. I found it to be the fastest way to get fatigued and frustrated.)

Instead, focus on just 1 area at a time. You might start with a single drawer, a particular shelf, or even a pile of mail that’s been parked on your counter for weeks.

Breaking the task into mini-goals makes it feel easier to get started, and it’s easier to get a win from it. Small, manageable steps are much less likely to deplete your energy, and that keeps you going.

Target your priorities

Another strategy is to prioritize the areas of your home that impact your daily life the most.

For example, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and having it clean and organized makes cooking much easier and far less stressful. So, the kitchen is a high priority for me. If you’re in a season where you’re having a lot of fatigue or other symptoms, a clean and comforting bedroom may be high on your priority list.

Focus on these high-priority areas first. They offer practical benefits, but you also get a little psychological boost too.

Manage your time

We all know firsthand that energy levels can vary throughout the day or week. So, when you’re planning a time to declutter, choose a time that you’ll have the best chances of feeling your best. Even if it's just a 15-minute window, use that time effectively.

This was tremendously helpful for me. I would pack in short bursts of 30 minutes. It kept me focused and prevented me from going to the point of burnout. You have to pace yourself for the long game . . . because MS is a very long game.

Remember, as with everything, go at a pace that works for you. No step is too small to start. One day, my husband and I just focused on assembling boxes. That was a win. You can start small, and you can be proud of that step because it’s one step forward. That is progress.