How to Convince Someone to Declutter in 5 Simple Steps

Simplify
by Simplify

Mia Danielle is a well-known figure in the decluttering world, and one question she seems to get over and over again is, “How to convince someone to declutter?” So, she’s come up with 5 insightful ways to convince your partner that decluttering your house is a good idea and get them to help you out in the process.

Learning how to help someone declutter doesn’t have to be an exercise in futility. According to Mia, the first step is to be the social proof. In other words, you need to start decluttering first and show your partner how it’s done. They may not know how much they’ll enjoy a clutter-free space until they actually see one for themselves.


If you’re still wondering how to be a minimalist when your partner isn’t, you’re certainly not alone, which is why Mia has identified a second way to encourage your partner to get on board with the whole decluttering process. And that is to avoid friction. So, only declutter your own items and be kind about it. Don’t create tension with your partner even if they resist decluttering at first.

How to help someone declutter

The third step for how to make someone tidy is to find a shared vision for your newly decluttered space. For example, you can move out all of the clutter in order to create more space for a common hobby that you can both enjoy together.


Another strategy for how to convince someone to declutter is to stay benefits-focused. By sharing the ways clutter is affecting you and pointing out all the benefits of decluttering, you can have a positive conversation with your partner that can ultimately lead to change.


How to convince someone to declutter

Lastly, learning how to convince someone to declutter also means being open to compromise. Enough said.


For more decluttering tips, discover 29 things people forget to declutter or how to know if something is clutter or not.


To see more videos, check out the Mia Danielle YouTube channel.

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  • Bill Bill on Sep 07, 2022

    My clean spaces become a place for him to put more stuff.

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    • Jane Jane on Oct 18, 2023

      Yep! Any horizontal space is fair game for my spouse to use as a project space. Then he never finishes the project so that space stays as a clutter zone. Help!!!

  • Dawn Jones Dawn Jones on Oct 21, 2022

    My husband had a large box of homemade cassette tapes, you older folk know the kind. You hope the radio jockey doesn’t talk until the very end of the song so you can hurry and stop recording? I threw it away in 2006 (we almost bought a camper in 2007 that had a cassette player and I thought I was in big trouble!). I manage to steer him away from from that particular camper! Other than that, he has not missed it. Doesn’t know it to this day! Throw it away, but be sneaky!

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    • FBe69822877 FBe69822877 on Mar 21, 2023

      I’m Laughing because I have to be sneaky and throw things out when my husband isn’t around I’m looking around to see what I can get rid of , he saves everything , me On the other hand can’t wait to get rid of stuff

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