Motivation Called. It’s Running Late.
You know that version of yourself that has finally sorted through the daily clutter taking over the dining room table, reclaimed the kitchen counters, or made space in the garage so you can finally park in there again? You imagine how good it’ll feel - the calm kitchen, the guest room that’s finally usable, the quiet sense of control instead of constant visual noise.
But then life keeps happening - your days get full, the mail keeps coming and groceries land on the island because there’s nowhere else to put them. Before you know it, that “weekend project” fades into the background - a reminder of what you still haven’t tackled.
Here’s the thing: that version of you who actually gets it done? She’s not some future person with unlimited energy. She’s you - right now. She just needs a place to start, not a perfect plan.
When Motivation Doesn’t Show Up on Time
We all imagine a “motivated” version of ourselves - calm, rested, and ready to take on the house. And sure, sometimes that spark really does show up before we even begin. I’ve seen people experience something powerful - a major life change, a big move, even the loss of a loved one - and they suddenly feel crystal clear about what matters and what doesn’t. That kind of motivation can light a fire fast.
But a lot of the time, it doesn’t work that way. Most days, motivation is quiet or missing altogether. You don’t wake up inspired to sort through paperwork or clean out the garage - you simply want the result and the calm, accomplished feelings that come after.
Decluttering or organizing can feel impossible when you’re overwhelmed and lacking motivation. Your brain starts negotiating before you’ve even stood up - whispering, “That sounds exhausting. Maybe tomorrow.” And since your brain’s job is to conserve energy, it wins that argument every time.
The fix isn’t waiting for motivation to magically arrive - it’s making the first move and letting motivation spring from there. (And trust me, a killer 80s playlist totally helps the process.)
The Trap of “I’ll Start When…”
Making that first move, though, is TOUGH - no sugar-coating it. I think a lot of coaches and organizers out there write about this topic with wonderful intentions, and they say things like “work in five-minute blocks” or “stay grounded in positive thinking about your desired outcome.” These are great suggestions, but I find that they aren’t very helpful. When I’m with a client staring down a guest room piled high with boxes, five minutes won’t get them anywhere, and positive thinking won’t open any boxes for them. Instead, we talk about understanding what’s happening in their brain, and how to actually move forward. So let’s do that here.
If you’re like most everyone else, you’ve probably told yourself at one time or another that you will start “when things calm down,” “when you have more energy,” or “when life feels less chaotic.” Almost everyone does it - and it sounds reasonable at first. Who wouldn’t want to wait until they’re rested and ready?
The problem is, that moment rarely comes. Life doesn’t deliver perfect timing - it delivers constant interruptions, shifting priorities, and surprise piles. Waiting for motivation or the “right moment” becomes its own kind of clutter - it fills up your head instead of your home.
And here’s the kicker: every time you tell yourself you’ll start later, you reinforce the belief that you can’t handle it now. That story builds a groove in your brain - and eventually, that “someday” list gets so long that even small steps start to feel impossible.
I’ve heard every version of this one:
“I’ll start when I have a free weekend.”
“I’ll start when I find the perfect system.”
“I’ll start after the move, the holidays, the promotion, the renovation…”
Spoiler alert - none of those finish lines are where motivation lives.
If a milestone or calendar date could magically create energy, gyms wouldn’t be empty by February.
Motivation isn’t something you wait for - it’s something you create through action. That first step might be small or even clumsy, but once you’re in motion, your brain gets the memo: we’re doing this. Momentum builds from there.
Where to Start (Even If You Don’t Feel Ready)
Even when you’re maxed out and everything feels too big, there’s always a next doable move. I’ve seen it again and again - small actions that break the freeze. Here are a few that actually work:
Toss the expired food in your pantry. Maybe tackle the whole thing, or maybe just one shelf.
Sort the papers currently living on your dining room table into three boxes: “To File,” “To Shred,” and “Action Needed.”
If you have a whole room you want to deal with, head in there and look around. Identify three things that can leave the house. I don’t care if it’s a paperclip, a sock, and an old tortilla chip. Just find three things and get them out. DONE. You’ve started.
Ruthlessly declutter your kitchen. If you don’t use it, donate it. If something else can do the same job, donate it. If you can get by without it, donate it. Kitchens become magical with less - trust me. (You can tackle this all at once, or one shelf, drawer, or cupboard at a time. But be ruthless!)
Hang out with that one drawer that really bugs you and give it all you’ve got for an honest twenty minutes. 1) Toss the trash, 2) donate what can move on, 3) relocate stuff that shouldn’t be living in there, and 4) organize what’s left. If you can’t finish all that in 20 minutes, totally okay. Just do the first 2-3 steps.
Deal with the “return pile” that’s been living in your entryway since… you don’t even know when.
Break down those shipping boxes you stacked for “later.”
Let go of a few “someday” reads - that stack of magazines, the book you couldn’t get into, or the one you already finished and loved. Pass them on.
Drop one donation bag by the door. It doesn’t even have to leave the house yet - just get it ready.
A great option if you only have about a half hour: Choose a room or area in which to work. Set your timer, look around, and identify items that should not be in that room. Return random items to their proper rooms/areas - no system, just movement. (Don’t spend a ton of time putting them away in their “proper” room - just get them there.)
Each one of these counts as progress. Small steps stack fast when you stop waiting for the “right” time.
Action is the Antidote
Progress doesn’t have to roar in with motivation leading the way. Most of the time, it’s quieter than that - a single drawer, a few decisions, one box opened and faced. Every action proves you can handle a little more. That’s how momentum grows: not from a lightning bolt of energy, but from movement that starts small and keeps going.
If you wait to feel ready, you’ll be waiting a long time. Start anyway. Start tired, start unsure, start while you’re rolling your eyes at the idea. Joan Baez said it best: “Action is the antidote to despair.” And she’s right - action is powerful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in those despair-like emotions, movement is what gets you out. Every small bit of action builds energy, confidence, and proof that you’re not as stuck as you think.
And please, don’t forget to cue up your 80s playlist.
Hey there! I’m Kerry, and I’m a professional home organizer serving the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington areas. I also travel up to the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla) a few times a year - going everywhere clearing clutter from people’s homes. I’ll meet you where you're at, zero judgment (and will bring along a sense of humor).
We can declutter, organize, and create spaces that support the life you want to live!
If you’d like, you can learn a bit more about me here.
Want to schedule a no judgment, complimentary consultation? I’d love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how I can help.
