A few days ago, I placed the final piece of a 2,000-piece puzzle I’d been working on for six months. I hadn’t worked on it consistently, just here and there on weekends when I had a little extra time.
But it always sat there on my table, silently challenging me. And to be completely honest? I didn’t love the process.
Some parts were enjoyable, especially in the beginning when the borders came together and things felt like they were moving. But once I got to the sea of similar colors, blue sky, green leaves, shadows, and light blending together, I hit a wall. I’d spend hours trying to place a single piece and feel like I had made no progress at all. The fun faded fast, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to pack it away unfinished.
That puzzle felt a lot like decluttering.
The Urge to Quit
There were moments I considered giving up. I thought, “What’s the point? It’s supposed to be a fun hobby. If I’m not enjoying it, why keep going?”
Maybe you’ve felt the same way when organizing. You start a project with energy, but then you hit a pile of paperwork or a folder of digital files, and suddenly you want to walk away. You wonder why you ever thought this would be a good idea.
But something kept me going with that puzzle. The slow satisfaction of finding a piece that fit. The little bursts of progress. And eventually, after months of chipping away, I finished. The last piece slid into place, and I felt a wave of pride and relief. I stood back, admired the full picture, and thought, “This was worth it.”
That’s exactly how it feels when you reach the other side of a cluttered space or a messy digital folder.
The Clutter Puzzle: How Decluttering is the Same
Clutter, whether physical or digital, is its own kind of puzzle. The pieces don’t always fit easily. The big picture might feel unclear. And you often don’t realize how much it’s weighing on you until you’re on the other side of it.
But like a puzzle, it’s a process. One that happens in stages.
Start with the Borders
Just like with a puzzle, it helps to start with what’s obvious. In a cluttered space, that might be the trash, expired items, or things you know for sure you no longer need. For digital files, it could be unsubscribing from emails, deleting duplicates, or archiving old projects.
This gives you a clear framework to build from.
Work in Small Sections
Looking at a huge mess or a full inbox can feel impossible. Instead, zoom in. Choose one drawer, one folder, or one type of document. Finish that before you move on. While puzzling, I would focus on one corner or a patch of sky. In organizing, that might mean tackling a single app, photo album, or shelf.
Progress in one spot builds momentum.
Keep Going, Even When It’s Frustrating
Some days I would sit at the puzzle and find hardly anything. But other times, I’d get on a roll and find ten pieces in a row. Organizing is the same. You’ll have slow days and productive days, but the key is to keep showing up, even in small bursts.
Celebrate the Wins
Every time I connected a tricky section, I paused to enjoy it. I literally run my hands over the finished spot. Weird, I know! But do the same with your organizing progress. Celebrate an empty folder, a clear inbox, or a decluttered surface.
These little wins are powerful.
Step Back and Admire Your Work
The most satisfying moment with a puzzle is when you step back and see the full picture. That’s what happens with organizing. You’ll notice your space feels calmer. Your brain feels less foggy. You’re saving time, energy, and even money.
You can find what you need. You can breathe.
Whether It’s Paper, Digital, or Emotional Clutter…
The journey is rarely fast or fun the whole way through. But finishing feels amazing. And you don’t have to do it perfectly or all at once.
Keep chipping away. Keep finding the pieces that fit. One folder. One decision. One drawer at a time.
Your puzzle moment is coming. And I promise, it will be worth it.
