Everyone’s got one. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

You know, that drawer, closet or room where you stash all the things that need to be out of the way. That counter or desk that is always piled with correspondence, important papers, or items saved for later. That cabinet or shed whose contents you may not be 100% sure of.

Many of us have a stuff problem. Our society places a premium on what we own, and often we focus on what we can afford to buy. While it is normal to outfit our homes with keepsakes, collections, décor, and sentimental items, sometimes what we have can interfere with how we live.

Experts with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension recognize the clutter conundrum many of us face and offer resources and tips that can help make your spaces more serene and serviceable by getting your stuff under control.

Collecting, hoarding and everything in between

Pamela Turner, UGA Extension housing and indoor environment specialist and a professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), maintains the UGA GreenWay website offering tips for sustainable living.

“There is a difference between collecting versus clutter versus hoarding,” said Turner, who created a clutter program for UGA Extension in partnership with Susan Moore, FACS Extension agent for Laurens and Wilkinson counties; Laura Smith, FACS Extension agent for Telfair County; and Diane Bales, Extension human development specialist and FACS professor.

“In many cases, we don’t realize what we have,” said Turner. “We get disorganized, especially if we have been living in one place for a long time.”

Regaining control of your space

Recently, UGA Extension partnered with Mississippi State University Extension to offer two webinars providing practical approaches to regulate your relics and discard your disarray, including “Clutter Curious” and “Rightsizing: Dealing with Sentimental Clutter,” an expansion of clutter programming developed at UGA.

“We noticed a lot of people were becoming interested right before the pandemic,” said Moore, especially when author and tidying expert Marie Kondo went viral with an approach that recommends “sparking joy” through organization. “We began building our program to update our publication and create some new materials, and it just grew from there.”

While she appreciates the spirit of Kondo’s work, Moore takes a more practical approach.

“My dishes don't spark joy, but I need them to eat,” she said, adding that Extension’s program includes easy-to-use online tools, including Project FIND, to help people take the first step toward a streamlined space. “It's kind of like financial management. Lots of people may need information on financial management, but they also don't want people to know that they need information on budgeting. I was worried that clutter would be like that, but people have been really receptive to it.”

Studies have shown that clutter and chaos at home can directly impact mental wellness, and Extension’s programs are designed to help participants realistically deal with their individual issues, Smith said.

“Our programs meet people where they are in their relationship with clutter and begin to plant seeds that will eventually help them not only declutter their homes but also their minds. That leaves room for all the experiences that can bring more joy, peace and comfort, and I think we all agree that those are certainly things our world needs more of,” Smith added.

Finding decluttering strategies

An acronym for “focusing on important necessities in your dwelling,” the FIND tool helps identify key areas to improve the health and safety of homes through a personalized quiz, a guided action plan and a list of local resources.

“Everyone has a different tolerance level for clutter. We have a quiz where you determine your clutter personality and, depending on how advanced your clutter issues are, what solutions you can use to deal with clutter,” Moore said. “Everybody's got an idea of what they want their house to look like. Some people are satisfied with a few things lying around their home as long as it's livable and usable. Some people want their house to look like something out of a magazine.”

The tool guides users through making an individualized action plan using SMART (strategic, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals to keep efforts on track, said Moore, adding that taking things step-by-step in manageable phases can keep the idea of attacking a whole home — or even a whole room — from becoming overwhelming.

“Instead of starting in a closet taking all your clothes out immediately, go through your closet and turn the hangers backward on things you haven’t worn in a while. At the end of a year, if you haven’t worn that item and turned the hanger back around, you probably aren’t going to wear it,” Moore added.

Another idea for tackling clutter is to stage a “mock move.”

“Pretend you are moving, and go through your home and choose what you would take with you. Be critical and come up with criteria for things you would not want to transport to the next place. If you don’t like it enough to move it, you don’t really need it,” Moore suggested.

For others, going through a box or junk drawer while watching TV or listening to music or a podcast can maximize your time and enjoyment while you declutter.

“Multitasking simple things, like going through receipts or doing simple sewing repairs on clothing, helps make it manageable so it is not one huge task,” Turner said. “Write down what you want to do to make it more of a commitment, make a list, put it on the calendar. Find something that works for you and go from there.”

Slow and steady wins the race — consistent, small efforts will transform your space over time. To get you started, UGA Extension has created:

Ten practical tips for decluttering your home

1. Start small: Focus on one area at a time

Tackle a small category like shoes, stationery or kitchen drawers to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Completing a small area builds momentum for bigger tasks.

2. Use sorting categories: keep, donate, trash, recycle

Set up bags or boxes for these categories to streamline the decluttering process. A “maybe” pile can help if you’re unsure.

3. Set time limits and use timers

Dedicate 10-15 minutes a day or a specific time weekly. Setting a timer keeps you focused and ensures steady progress.

4. Embrace the container method

Define a physical space (like a shelf or bin) for an item category. Only keep what fits — let go of the rest.

5. Ask yourself key questions

• When was the last time I used this?
• Do I truly love it?
• How hard would it be to replace?
• Would a photo of this item be enough to preserve the memory?

6. Focus on the benefits of decluttering

Instead of what you’re losing, think about the space, peace and freedom you’re gaining.

7. Avoid emotional roadblocks

Decluttering sentimental items can trigger emotions like grief, regret or anxiety. Start with easy items like duplicates or unused belongings before tackling sentimental objects.

8. Let go quickly

Once you decide to donate or discard, get items out of your home promptly to prevent second-guessing.

9. Find sustainable ways to let go

Use “Buy Nothing” groups or donate to charities. Sell items only if you’re willing to invest the time and effort.

10. Reward yourself and celebrate small wins

After decluttering, treat yourself to something non-material, like a walk, a coffee or sharing your progress with a friend.

Keeping your space clutter-free

Once decluttering is accomplished, Turner suggests guidelines to help keep clutter to a minimum.

“Maintaining a clutter-free space once you do the clean is important. One method is the ‘one thing in, one thing out’ method. If you get something new, you have to get rid of something else,” she said. “For some people, keeping a trash can or recycling bin in every room can help keep clutter down.”

Being selective about what you purchase can also cut down on future clutter.

“One of the things I like to emphasize is the need to stop buying so much or just reduce consumption in general,” Turner said. “I encourage people to select better quality products and buy less.”

Take UGA Extension's clutter quiz and make an action plan at the Project FIND website.