Decluttering: Why You Should Stop Feeling Bad About Waste (and what to do instead)

 The Problem With Waste (And Why Guilt Doesn’t Solve It)

Waste is a tricky subject. Some people don’t care about it at all, while others feel completely overwhelmed by the guilt of throwing things away.

When I was running my home organisation business, I noticed that people’s attitudes towards waste generally fell into three main categories—none of which actually solved the problem.

1️⃣ The Mindless Consumer

This type of person is always buying new—whether it’s clothes, home décor, kitchen gadgets, or storage solutions (ironically, often to manage all the excess stuff). They love the thrill of a purchase, and they don’t feel much guilt about getting rid of things. They don’t want clutter, but they also don’t want to stop consuming. So they’re constantly in a cycle of buying and decluttering, without ever questioning whether they really needed those things in the first place.

Some of these people were extremely wealthy, but many were just caught up in modern consumer culture—always looking for the next thing to ‘fix’ their home, their wardrobe, or their life.

2️⃣ The Guilty Hoarder

At the other end of the spectrum is the person who can’t bear to throw anything away.

They hold onto things long past their usefulness—old clothes, broken appliances, half-empty bottles of shampoo—because the idea of sending something to landfill feels worse than the chaos of keeping it.

But here’s the irony: in trying to avoid waste, they create stress, clutter, and overwhelm. Their homes become difficult to navigate, their cupboards overflow, and their mental load increases because they feel like they’re always drowning in stuff.

3️⃣ The Guilty Over-Buyer

Then there’s the person who knows they’re being wasteful—but can’t seem to stop. The problem isn’t that they want to waste—it’s that they don’t have systems in place to prevent it.

• They buy duplicates because they can’t see what they already own.
• They use half a bottle of something, then get tempted by a newer, better version.
• They let food go off because their kitchen isn’t set up for easy access.

This person feels the guilt, but without better organisation, they keep repeating the same mistakes.

The Real Issue: Feeling Bad About Waste Is Just More Mental Load

If waste is a constant source of stress, guilt, or frustration, you’re not solving the problem—you’re just adding another layer of mental clutter.

• If you hoard things out of guilt, your home becomes overwhelming.
• If you over-consume, your space becomes a revolving door of clutter.
• If you feel bad about what you throw away, but don’t change the systems that cause the waste, the cycle continues.

The real solution? Creating a home that’s designed to reduce waste in the first place.

How to Reduce Waste Without Stressing About It

The goal isn’t just to declutter—it’s to set up a system that stops the waste before it starts.

1. Declutter First (But Do It Intentionally)

You can’t be mindful about waste if you don’t know what you have. Before you try to consume less, you need to reset your space.

 The key to sustainable decluttering is intentionality:

• Don’t just chuck things in the bin—donate, repurpose, or recycle wherever possible.
• Be realistic about what you’ll actually use. If something has been sitting untouched for years, it’s not serving you.
• Ask yourself: “If I didn’t own this already, would I buy it today?” If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go.

Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll have a clearer picture of what you actually need—which makes it easier to prevent waste going forward.

2. Set Up Smarter Organisation Systems

Waste isn’t just about what you buy—it’s about how you store and use things.

• Categorising and labelling is key – An organised pantry, bathroom, or wardrobe means you can see what you have and use it up before buying more.
• Avoid overstuffing – If a space is too full, it’s easy to forget what’s in the back, leading to wasted products.
• Create ‘use first’ zones – In the pantry, fridge, or bathroom, have a section where you place items that need to be used up first before opening something new.
• Rotate your stock – Just like supermarkets, keep newer items at the back so older ones get used first.

A home that’s organised properly means you’re less likely to waste what you already own—and less likely to buy things you don’t need.

3. Have Systems for Managing Waste

One of the biggest reasons people don’t deal with their waste properly is because it’s inconvenient.

Make it easier by setting up waste management stations in your home:

✔ Donation Boxes – Keep one in your wardrobe, hallway, or utility room. When something is no longer needed, put it straight in the box—no second-guessing. Once it’s full, drop it off at a charity shop.

✔ A Recycling Station – Have a dedicated space for ‘tricky’ recyclables (e.g. batteries, soft plastics, electronics). Once you have a good amount, take them to the appropriate drop-off point.

✔ A “Use It Up” System – Whether it’s food, toiletries, or cleaning products, create a habit of finishing what you have before buying more. Keep a running list of what’s running low so you don’t impulse buy duplicates.

4. Change the Habits That Lead to Over-Buying

The final piece of the puzzle? Shifting your mindset.

Decluttering and setting up systems will only get you so far if your thought patterns around buying don’t change.

Next time you’re about to buy something, ask yourself:

✅ Do I really need this, or is it just a dopamine hit?
✅ Do I already own something that serves the same purpose?
✅ Is this actually going to improve my life—or will it become clutter?

Being mindful about why you’re buying is what stops the cycle of clutter and waste for good.

Want to Reduce Waste Without the Overwhelm?

If you’re ready to:
✅ Declutter without guilt
✅ Set up a home that naturally prevents waste
✅ Build systems that make organisation easy

Then my Intentional Home Program is exactly what you need. It’s a step-by-step guide to creating a home that works for you, not against you—so you can stop stressing about clutter, waste, and overwhelm.

Or, if you’re not ready for the full program, start with my free resources