By Lorinda Dishington Ortiz – Professional Organizer and ADHD Organizing Specialist based in Groton, MA that provides affordable online home organizing and decluttering services to MA, NH, and nationwide. 

In today’s post, we dive into the topic of perfectionism and why the quest for a perfectly organized home can be a trap. As a professional organizer and ADHD specialist in Massachusetts, I’ve seen the impact of perfectionism on clutter firsthand. My hope is that by sharing these insights, you’ll feel empowered to tackle clutter in a way that elevates your self-worth and eliminates unnecessary stress.

Topics discussed in this blog:

• Understanding Perfectionism
• The Perfectionism-Paradox and Clutter
• Steps to Break Free from Perfectionism
• Create “Good Enough” Systems
• Ask for Help

Listen to the related podcast episode:

Understanding Perfectionism

I grew up believing that perfectionism was a noble trait; after all, who doesn’t want to do things flawlessly? However, I learned that this mindset can lead to clutter and a decline in self-esteem. But first, what is perfectionism? The American Psychological Association defines perfectionism as “the tendency to demand of others, or of oneself, an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation.”

Essentially, it equates self-worth with achievement. This can hurt our confidence, leading to anxiety and even depression. Perfectionism crosses the line when self-worth is measured by performance alone. The result? Mistakes or unmet goals trigger feelings of inadequacy.

The Perfectionism-Paradox and Clutter

You might wonder, how does this relate to clutter? Enter the perfectionism paradox: the desire for a perfectly maintained home can lead to piles of clutter, procrastination, and even task paralysis. Organizing requires time and energy, things many of us lack in today’s world. Perfect conditions rarely exist, leaving our perfectionist minds thinking, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.” Consequently, clutter accumulates.

Perfectionist tendencies can also lead to overthinking during decluttering efforts. Questions like, “Should I keep this?” and “What if I need it someday?” paralyze action. Ultimately, nothing leaves, and the clutter grows, fueling a cycle of shame and inaction.

Steps to Break Free from Perfectionism

Breaking this cycle is possible. The key is small, manageable steps. Never underestimate the power of five minutes. Achieving progress, not perfection, should be the goal. Spending five minutes to declutter is twice the time it takes to empty the dishwasher or fold a load of laundry.

Start with something small, like a drawer or a shelf, and if you’re unsure where to begin, start with the trash as Dana K. White, from A Slob Come Clean, always say. Look for empty boxes, junk mail, dried out markers, or broken toys. I challenge you to grab a trash bag, find ten easy things to toss out after reading this post, and do the same tomorrow. Small wins grow confidence.

Creating Good Enough Systems

Avoid striving for Pinterest-perfect organization. Systems don’t have to be visually stunning to be effective. They should, however, be practical and functional.

When starting your decluttering journey, avoid items with sentimental value—they require emotional energy and should be tackled last; after you’ve made space by letting go of non-sentimental things. Store them somewhere safe in the meantime. You’ll get to them eventually, once you’ve strengthened your decluttering skills.

Ask for Help

Decluttering on your own can be challenging, so don’t hesitate to seek support. Choose a nonjudgmental friend or hire a professional organizer. Remember, decluttering is a skill that grows stronger with practice, and can be less tedious when you have the right support. 

What are you waiting for? Reach out to someone you trust, or contact an organizer—like me! You deserve a clutter-free, stress-free space. Until next time, I wish you peace and love as you begin tackling perfectionism in your organizing journey.

Organize with Lorinda – Professional Organizer and ADHD Organizing Specialist based in Groton, MA that provides affordable, online home organizing and decluttering services to MA, NH, and nationwide.