How often do you go through your wardrobe? Or rearrange your cupboards? While most people moan and groan at the prospect of having to dig through their jackets, crockery and books, if you’re anything like me, the moment that spring rolls around and the days get a little brighter, you probably find yourself fighting the urge to rip everything you own out of storage and get rid. Whether you consider it a seasonal refresh, a big clearout or just an opportunity to streamline your possessions, there is little more satisfying than a day of decluttering the things you no longer use, like or wear to make space for the things you do love. 

Not everyone understands the joy of a freshly cleared-out shelf, but being ultra-organised isn’t just a personality trait for me; it’s at the core of who I am. I’ve been rearranging my bedroom and colour-coding my wardrobe for as long as I can remember. Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out is like catnip to me, and my colleagues were recently appalled to find out that I track every single piece of clothing I own (168 pieces, at last count) on an app that lets me know what percentage I’m actually getting use out of. This extends to my love of decluttering, too, and I partake in it at every opportunity I can. Do my kitchen drawers feel a little too heavy? Time to pare down. Books piling up? Let’s go through and see what can be donated. 

If this all sounds a bit overkill, that’s because it is. We all know that too much stuff = stress, and the process of decluttering has been found to have numerous health benefits, from reduced stress and anxiety to improved mental clarity, better sleep and increased focus, all contributing to a more peaceful and productive life. In 2022, a study by the University of Connecticut found that by removing or controlling clutter, we can directly reduce the stress that stems from the mess, which can help us to feel happier, less anxious and more confident in ourselves – and I certainly agree. I never feel calmer or more at peace in my home than right after a huge purge, with the bags of donations in the car ready to find a new home. 

But my issue is that I declutter too much and then regret it later – and that is starting to become a problem. 

I’m guilty of rearranging our kitchen storage so often that my husband has practically begged me to stop. I have a frequent donor card for my local charity shop, where the staff know me by name. My friends have even been known to invite me over to help them clear their wardrobes, too, and I happily oblige. After all, clearing out is something I consider myself to be good at, even though it can go wrong from time to time, 

For the most part, I put this down to my impatience. I’m an all-or-nothing person: if I open up my closet and feel stressed by the sheer amount of stuff staring back at me, you best believe I’m dumping the entire contents on my bed and going through it with a fine-toothed comb to spot any potential items to axe. In most instances, this leaves me with a selection of high-quality garments I know I enjoy wearing, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t mourn some of the items I hastily gave away in my organisation frenzy. The most painful of all? The perfect green cashmere Reformation sweater that I paid £30 for on Vinted, wore a few times before deciding it didn’t suit me and reselling it. Every time there’s a slight chill in the air, I recall that jumper findly and curse myself for being so impulsive. I miss it so much that I even have an alert set up on the app in case someone else is making the (silly) decision to sell theirs. As of yet, I’ve had no luck. Add to that the perfect vintage flannel I donated back in 2015 and gold heels I let go at a carboot for way less than I should have, and it’s clear that I’m still lamenting some of the things I’ve given away.

The other issue is that while decluttering makes me feel in control in the moment, that feeling never lasts, which is what keeps me in a near-constant cycle of analysing, sorting and ultimately getting rid of my belongings. It’s an easy trap to fall into when so many decluttering methods demand drastic action: while döstädning, aka Swedish death cleaning, might not be as scary as it sounds, ‘the minimalism game’, a viral method that asks you to get rid of one thing on the first day, two things on the second and three things on the third and so forth for an entire month is intimidating to say the least. 

I’ll be honest: no matter how much I enjoy decluttering, I’m never going to be the person with a 15-piece capsule wardrobe, one saucepan and no space for sentimental items. Despite my organisational tendencies, I place a lot of value on things like physical photographs, old school reports and birthday cards from loved ones. They’re stored safely in my attic to resist any urges to go through them. But with everything else, I think the key is finding a better balance. 

The best advice I’ve heard so far on how to overcome the urge to declutter too much? Take your time. While it can be utterly cathartic to get rid of everything in one fell swoop, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that it pays to be a little indecisive sometimes. Employing a ‘maybe’ pile and putting items on ‘trial’ helps me not to be too rash with my decision-making, and you’ll thank yourself for that little bit more breathing room to make the final decision.

Because remember: you can always get rid of it later down the line, but as the hallowed green jumper has taught me – you can’t always get things back.

Images: Adobe; Getty