Mockingbird, I find it easiest to start with trash. Anything that is outright trash with no question. Now, I realize this is more complicated if you feel compelled to recycle. But, in any case, bag up one bag of loose trash and either TAKE IT to recycling immediately (no saving it for later) or put it in the trash.

I also find it easier to do things that are not emotional. Things you are keeping just in case. Things you have duplicates of. Keep the nicer one, donate the other.

Does that help?

Come see us on the What are you doing today? thread, as we are most active over there. Would love to hear more about you!

Hi Mockingbird!

Start by not bringing more things in. Start that now!

Then just pick any place - some people like to start with the worst spot, some like to start with the smallest. Or you can try to clear a surface, or a certain number of items, or five or fifteen minutes. Whatever you can do. The important thing is to start and keep trying.

Im new to this. Well, not new, been hoarding a long time but I'm to where I know I have to do something. I am overwhelmed and don't know where to start. How do you begin to deal with mountains of stuff?