10 Ways to Help Your Partner Embrace Decluttering

Getting your partner to help declutter and organize when they're not initially motivated can be challenging, but with patience, understanding, and a collaborative approach, it’s entirely possible. I’m sharing my 10 tips to help get your partner on board.

1. Communicate Clearly

Start by having an open and honest conversation about why decluttering is important to you. Share your reasons and listen to their perspective. Understanding each other's viewpoints can create a foundation of mutual respect and cooperation.

2. Begin by Decluttering Your Belongings First

Set the example by going through your personal items and discarding what no longer serves you. By establishing this foundation, your partner may feel motivated and inspired to go through their belongings as well.

3. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Break down the decluttering project into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of tackling the entire house, start with one room or even one drawer. Achieving small goals can build momentum and make the process less overwhelming.

3. Determine the Ultimate Decision Maker for Shared Items

Allow someone to have full authority over the decisions for certain shared items or spaces. Locations like the kitchen and garage are usually utilized more by one person than the other. Come to an agreement with your partner on who has final say over what stays and what goes.

4. Agree on Clutter-Free Spaces

Establish non-negotiable clutter-free areas of the home. Since there are several communal spaces, it’s important that it remains functional for everyone. While certain parts of the home may accumulate items, find areas where everyone agrees should never be cluttered.

5. Create a Deadline to Revisit ‘Maybe’ Items

Addressing all your belongings and making decisions across so many items can be exhausting. I suggest having a ‘maybe’ box or pile that is to be addressed by a certain date. This relieves the pressure of having to make the decision on the spot, but also establishing a timeline to find its ultimate home.

6. Respect Their Space and Items

Respect your partner's attachment to certain items and avoid forcing them to get rid of things. Instead, encourage them to reflect on why they want to keep something and suggest ways to store it neatly if they choose to keep it.

7. Share Responsibilities

Divide the tasks based on each person's strengths and preferences. If your partner enjoys organizing paperwork more than sorting clothes, let them handle that part. Sharing responsibilities in a way that plays to each other's strengths can make the process more efficient and enjoyable.

8. Set a Decluttering Schedule and Timeline

Establish a regular schedule for decluttering sessions. Having a set time can make the process more manageable and less daunting. Consistency can help make it a habit and eventually come up with a deadline to complete the project.

9. Progress Over Perfection

Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you make together, no matter how small. Simply by starting you are better off than you were the day before. The clutter didn’t accumulate overnight and important that achieving the end goal will take some time.

10. The “Right Amount of Stuff” is Different for Everyone

Success looks different for everyone and its important to respect what that comfort quantity is for your partner. It will likely be different than yours.