In the last two posts, we talked about why letting go feels so hard — and what the sheer volume of belongings can look like once you begin. This week, we want to talk about the question that stops many people in their tracks:
Where do I even start — without completely exhausting myself?
Decision fatigue is real. When every item feels important, every choice carries weight, and there’s pressure to “keep moving,” it’s easy to burn out before you’ve truly begun.
Here’s what we’ve learned after helping many local families through this process: You don’t need to decide everything at once. You just need a starting point that feels manageable.
Start with what’s emotionally neutral
One of the biggest mistakes people make is starting with the most meaningful items — photos, heirlooms, keepsakes. That almost always leads to overwhelm.
Instead, begin with spaces or categories that feel emotionally lighter:
A hallway closet.
A utility room.
Duplicate kitchen items.
Things that are clearly broken or no longer usable.
Early momentum matters more than big progress.
Separate “sorting” from “deciding”
Another burnout trigger is trying to sort, decide, donate, sell, and dispose of items all at the same time.
Try breaking the process into phases:
First, group like items together — no decisions yet.
Later, decide what stays, what goes, and where it goes.
This reduces pressure and helps your brain stay in problem-solving mode instead of emotional overload.
Set limits — not goals
Instead of saying “I’m going to clear the basement,” try:
“I’ll work for 45 minutes.”
“I’ll fill one box.”
“I’ll clear one shelf.”
When the limit is time or size, stopping feels like success — not failure.
Remember: letting go doesn’t erase the story
One of the most common fears we hear is that making a decision means losing the memory attached to an item. It doesn’t.
The story exists whether the object stays or goes. What you’re really choosing is how much space — physical and emotional — it takes up in your life now.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
At Caring Transitions of Parsippany, many families call us before they’re ready to take action — simply to talk things through. Sometimes a short conversation helps clarify what to tackle first, what can wait, and what options make the most sense for their situation.
If giving back is important to you, we’ve also gathered thoughtful donation resources on our website to help guide those decisions when the time comes: https://www.caringtransitionsofparsippany.com/giving-back-to-our-community
And if you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure which path to take, we’re always happy to help — even if you just need someone to help you think it through.
Next week, we’ll talk about how to decide what’s worth rehoming, donating, or letting go — without second-guessing yourself every step of the way.