Decluttering more than one room can feel overwhelming on a good day, but when you’re also dealing with chronic illness, it’s a whole different challenge.
Your energy comes and goes. Your body might not let you do what your mind wants to. And that can make even small tasks feel big.
But here’s the thing. Just because it’s harder doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You can make progress in your home. You just need a way that works with your body.
This guide will show you how to declutter multiple spaces at your own pace. It includes practical tips for managing your energy, choosing what to focus on, and building momentum even when your good days are limited.
Finding Your Own Way to a More Organized Home
Decluttering can feel hard for anyone. But when you’re living with chronic illness, it’s more than just hard. It’s exhausting.
Some days your body just won’t cooperate. You might have plans to get something done, but pain or fatigue can definitely change everything. That can be frustrating and discouraging, especially when there’s more than one room that needs attention.
But still, your home matters. (And we all know that) How it looks, how it feels, and how easy it is to move through all of that can affect your day-to-day life.
And the good news is, you don’t have to do things the way other people do. You can create your own way forward, one that works with how you are right now.
Because even with limited strength or time, there are things you can do that will make a difference. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. You just need a steady rhythm that respects where you are and still helps you feel like your home is becoming more manageable.
What matters most is making progress that feels doable and worth it for you.
Why Clearing Your Space Still Matters (Even When It Feels Like Too Much)
When your home is cluttered, daily life becomes harder.
For example, when you walk into a room and instantly notice everything that’s out of place. Or when you try to find something simple, but it takes longer than it should. These frustrations add up, especially if you're already dealing with low energy, health issues, or limited mobility.
It also becomes harder to unwind. You might sit down to rest, but your attention keeps going to the pile of clothes on the chair or the stack of unopened mail on the table. It’s hard to relax when the room keeps reminding you of everything that hasn’t been handled yet.
That’s why it matters to clear things out, even slowly.
Not to have a perfect home, but to make it more manageable. A space that works with your routine instead of getting in the way. A space where you can move around more easily, find things faster, and have fewer tasks waiting in the background.
So, Where Should You Begin When Every Room Feels Like Too Much?
When your whole house feels cluttered and your energy isn’t what it used to be, the best place to start is with something small and manageable. Don’t worry about what seems most urgent—start with what feels easiest to handle right now.
Look around and think about what’s closest to you or what’s getting in your way the most. Maybe it’s the stack of clothes in your bedroom, a full drawer in the bathroom, or papers that keep piling up on the kitchen table.
You don’t even have to be on your feet to begin. Take a drawer or small basket to the couch or your bed. Keep a bin or bag nearby so you can sort or fold without needing to move around too much. Let the task come to you.
It can also help to make a short, clear list for the day. Keep it simple. For example:
- Go through one basket of clothes.
- Toss or donate two items from the nightstand.
- Check the fridge for expired food.
- Sort one drawer in the bathroom.
You don’t need to finish everything at once. Even if you only do one or two small tasks, that still counts. If you have five or ten minutes, use that time. It all depends on you and what kind of day you’re having.
And if you write things down, keep the list where you can see it. At the end of the day, seeing what you’ve crossed off can give you a real sense of progress, no matter how small it might seem.
What to Focus On and How to Keep Track While You Declutter
When you're trying to get organized, especially across more than one room, it helps to start with things that make the biggest difference in your daily life. You don’t need to dig through deep storage or old keepsakes right away.
Instead, look at the things you use all the time. These are the items that, when decluttered, can instantly make your home feel lighter and more manageable.
Think about areas like your closet, your kitchen, or your bathroom. Clearing out clothes you no longer wear, expired food that’s just taking up space, or old toiletries you’ll never use can bring instant relief.
Paper clutter is another big one. Bills, magazines, notes, or random papers on countertops or in drawers can build up fast and add a lot of stress without you realizing it.
One helpful way to stay organized is to use a checklist. Write down your goals for the day, even if it’s just a few tasks like tossing expired food, sorting one drawer, or packing a donation bag.
Use a clipboard, a notebook, or even just a scrap of paper you keep nearby. Every time you check something off, it gives you a little boost. It shows that you’re moving forward, even if it feels slow.
Another tip is to have a clear place for anything you plan to donate or sell. As you’re sorting through your things, set those items aside in a bin, bag, or designated corner of a room.
This keeps your space from getting messy again while you're still working on other areas. You don’t have to list or drop off everything right away. Just knowing it’s ready and waiting can take pressure off your shoulders.
Keeping track of what you've done and what’s next helps you feel more focused. And when your energy is low or your day is unpredictable, having a list to return to helps you pick up right where you left off.
Over time, you’ll be able to look back and see how much progress you’ve made, one step at a time.
Staying Motivated When Your Energy Isn’t There
There will be days when you feel too tired to do much, and that’s okay. Living with chronic illness means your energy isn’t always predictable. But there are still ways to stay encouraged and keep moving forward, even when your body says no.
One helpful practice is to speak positively to yourself, out loud. The words you use matter. Instead of saying you can’t, try replacing it with something more supportive. Remind yourself that you will get through it, and that progress is still happening, even if it’s slower today.
This might sound simple, but hearing yourself say something encouraging can change your mood and give you a little push when you need it.
Another great tip is to watch organizing or cleaning transformation videos while you’re resting. They’re not just entertaining, they actually help your brain get into the mindset of action.
Watching others create order can give you ideas, motivate you, and make you feel more prepared for the next time you’re up and ready to tackle a space.
When you’re too unwell to get out of bed, that doesn’t mean you're stuck. Use that time to mentally go through a room in your house. Walk yourself through the steps of organizing it (i.e, clothes off the floor, books on shelves, drawers cleared, items donated).
This mental practice helps turn a big project into a clear plan, so when you have a better day, you already know what to do and how to do it.
And before you go to bed at night, try walking into one room just for a moment. Look around and picture how it will look once it’s cleaned and organized. Visualizing the end result helps you stay connected to your goal without needing to do anything physical.
Your energy may come and go, but your mindset can help carry you through. Every time you talk kindly to yourself, watch something inspiring, or make a plan in your mind, you’re setting the stage for progress. It might not be fast, but it’s still forward.
Give Yourself Grace And Something That Helps Along the Way
Decluttering while managing chronic illness isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about taking one meaningful step at a time when your body and mind allow for it.
Whether it’s clearing a drawer, tossing old papers, or mentally planning your next move, each step brings you closer to a space that feels calmer and more supportive.
If you need something to help you stay focused and encouraged, the Printable Motivated to Declutter Binder is a great companion. It includes simple planning tools and motivational pages to help you organize your thoughts and track your progress.
Follow me elsewhere!
