Welcome to ‘Ask Cathy,’ a once-monthly series where I offer real home organizing advice to help you tackle your biggest challenges. Whether you’re overwhelmed by clutter, stuck on where to start, or have unique challenges like ADHD, I’m here to offer practical solutions with warmth and a touch of humour.
Got a question? Send it my way—I’d love to help!
A reader recently reached out with this heartfelt question about their struggles with clutter. Their story might sound familiar to you:
Dear Cathy,
I think I'm a hoarder and I don't know how to fix my issue. My three-bedroom house and garage are full of stuff, but it's not dirty – just messy. I have storage containers full of old hobbies, bags of shoes I haven't worn in years, and boxes of supplies for a business I never started.
The hardest part is, I can't seem to let anything go because I paid money for it. It feels like throwing away money. My teenagers are starting to comment about the clutter, and I'm too embarrassed to have people over. Recently, my niece asked why my house was so messy, and I nearly cried.
I do keep up with daily chores – dishes, laundry, and cleaning – but the clutter is overwhelming. I have ADHD, which makes it even harder to organize. Where do I even start? How do I learn to part with things?
-Desperately Seeking Order
Dear Desperately Seeking Order: You’re not alone. Many people get overwhelmed by clutter, especially when life gets busy or when ADHD throws in extra challenges. The fact that you’re reaching out is a big step!
Real Home Organizing Advice for Overcoming Clutter.
Clutter isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too. It’s important to start with small, manageable steps to build your decluttering muscles. Pick one tiny space, like a single drawer or even the surface of your coffee table. Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus only on that. Knowing there’s a time limit will help you stay focused and feel less overwhelmed. When the timer goes off, stop—even if you're not finished. Pat yourself on the back for what you’ve accomplished. Celebrate every bit of progress and remember that small steps lead to big changes!
When sorting through items, shift how you think about them. Instead of holding onto things because you spent money on them, ask yourself if they’re still adding value to your life. If they aren’t, it’s okay to let them go and let them benefit someone else. Your worth isn’t tied to your belongings—it’s tied to the life you’re building today.
To make home organizing feel easier, create simple systems that work for you. Clear containers let you see what you have. Grouping similar items helps you find things quickly. Labels, even for obvious categories, can make a world of difference.
Tackling this on your own can feel overwhelming - that’s normal. Reach out for support. Friends or family members might be willing to help, but professional organizers can provide expert guidance tailored to your needs. In Canada, you can connect with skilled organizers through the Professional Organizers in Canada website. Another excellent resource is the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, which specializes in helping people like you.
Remember: your home doesn’t need to be perfect. You want to have control—so you know where your things are and where they belong. Change takes time, and every small step forward is worth celebrating.
If you're in the Greater Toronto Area, I’d be honored to help you create a home that feels calm and functional. Feel free to reach out to me at In and Out Organizing for a free 30-minute consultation. Let's craft a plan that works for you.
Warmly,
Cathy Borg
In and Out Organizing
Do you have an organizing challenge you'd like me to tackle? Submit your question, and I may feature it in an upcoming post!
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Thank you, Diane. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I agree; getting started is the first and sometimes biggest hurdle. Starting the decluttering process is a win! I love using a timer for my projects as well. 😀
I enjoyed reading your letter. The 5 simple ideas you shared are so easy to follow. Someone can pick the one that is easiest for them to do and start there and then move to a more difficult step. Great help for the possible hoarder.
I like the reframe you offered. As your reader described, they accumulated things that served a purpose at a point in time, but now represent clutter and things they no longer want. Yet having paid good money for them makes it challenging to let them go.
Your reframe is so useful because you ask if those things are providing value to her life now. And based on what she described, they are causing more stress, angst, and clutter than value. That realization could make it easier for her to part with them.
What a great post! You did a great job answering the reader's question. While I do not work with hoarders, I know many organizers who do. They are amazing people.
I love the advice you gave your reader. It's always important to start small and to celebrate every win. Just starting the decluttering process is a win. Also setting a timer and working for short periods of time in one small space is good advice.