I'll Get to It Someday
📖 Read time: 5–6 minutes
💜 Focus: Overcoming Procrastination
✨ In this article you'll learn:
Why "someday" often keeps us stuck.
How postponing small decisions creates mental clutter.
A gentle way to build momentum without waiting for the perfect time.
🗓️ Last reviewed: August 2026
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I'll get to it someday," you're not alone. Procrastinating decluttering is one of the most common challenges I see—and it's usually about much more than finding the time.
How "Later" Quietly Becomes Part of Our Homes
If you've ever found yourself saying:
"I'll deal with that later."
You're in good company.
Most of us have.
Sometimes it's a box we haven't unpacked.
Sometimes it's paperwork we haven't reviewed.
Sometimes it's clothes we mean to try on, a craft project we'd like to finish, or a collection we plan to sort through "when things slow down."
The intention is sincere.
Life is simply busy. For all of us.
But something interesting happens over time.
The things we plan to come back to don't simply stay where we left them physically.
They begin occupying space mentally, too.
We Rarely Decide to Keep Things Forever
One thing I've noticed while working with clients is that very few people intentionally decide to keep something for years. (Although I do love those moments when we're working together and a client suddenly says, "I was just looking for that!")
Instead, many belongings quietly move into a category that sounds something like this:
"Not today."
The stack of papers becomes next weekend.
The donation pile becomes next month. Then it sits in the car for weeks, waiting for its next home.
The china becomes something to research someday. Then, over time, the question quietly shifts from "What is it worth?" to "Is it worth continuing to spend my time and energy trying to find out?"
The box in the basement becomes something we'll look at after the holidays when life is slower.
Then another season passes.
And another.
Eventually, what started as a temporary unfinished decision begins to feel permanent—not because we chose it, but because we simply stopped revisiting it. Before long, it fades into the background and we hardly notice it's there anymore.
"Someday" Feels Comfortable
There are good reasons we postpone decisions.
Sometimes we're exhausted.
Sometimes we're grieving.
Sometimes we're afraid of making the wrong choice.
Sometimes life is simply asking more of us than we have to give.
There is nothing wrong with deciding that today isn't the right day.
In fact, giving ourselves permission to wait can be an act of self-compassion.
The challenge comes when "not today" quietly becomes "not this year."
Or "maybe never."
Time Doesn't Always Make Decisions Easier
People often tell me:
"Maybe if I wait a little longer, I'll know what to do."
And sometimes that's true.
Distance can bring clarity.
Emotions can soften.
Life circumstances can change. Sometimes simply continuing to live our lives gives us new perspective.
But waiting doesn't always make decisions easier.
Sometimes it simply allows us to become accustomed to carrying them.
The box blends into the corner.
The pile becomes part of the room.
The unfinished decision becomes part of the background noise.
Not because it no longer matters.
Because we've learned to live around it. Every day we're negotiating what deserves our attention first, and sometimes unfinished decisions quietly settle farther down the list.
The Cost of Waiting
When we postpone a decision, we're usually trying to protect ourselves.
From regret.
From uncertainty.
From making a mistake.
But postponing also has a cost.
Every unfinished decision continues asking for a small amount of our attention.
Not constantly.
Just quietly.
Over weeks.
Months.
Sometimes years.
That mental load is easy to overlook because it doesn't announce itself.
It simply becomes part of everyday life.
It's like having one more browser tab open in the background. It isn't demanding your attention every second, but it's still quietly using a little bit of your mental energy.
Choosing "Today" for One Thing
This doesn't mean every postponed decision needs to be made immediately.
Far from it.
But it can be helpful to ask yourself:
What is one thing I've been planning to get to "someday" that I could revisit today?
Not solve everything.
Not empty the basement.
Not organize the garage.
Just choose one decision that has been waiting patiently in the background.
You may discover that making one thoughtful choice creates more relief than you expected.
Progress Doesn't Come From Finding More Time
Many of us believe we'll finally tackle clutter and tackle unfinished decisions when life becomes less busy or we have a full free day.
The truth is, life has a way of staying full, doesn’t it?
The perfect time rarely arrives.
If we wait until life is completely calm before making progress, we may end up waiting a very long time.
Progress often begins not because we suddenly have more time, but because we decide one small thing deserves our attention today.
One finished task.
One box opened.
One donation decided on.
On your own timeline, rather than waiting for unexpected circumstances to make the decision for you.
Those moments begin creating something much bigger than an organized home.
They create momentum.
You Don't Have to Wait for Someday
One of my favorite things about working alongside clients is watching "someday" quietly become "today."
Not through pressure.
Not through perfection.
Simply through having someone there to help make one thoughtful decision at a time.
Because someday isn't a destination.
It's just today that hasn't happened yet.
And sometimes, choosing one small thing today is enough to change how tomorrow feels.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply beginning. A compassionate professional organizer can help break large projects into manageable steps, reduce decision fatigue, and provide encouragement without judgment.
💜 Still Wondering?
Why do I keep putting off decluttering?
Putting off decluttering is rarely about laziness. More often, it's because the task feels emotionally, physically, or mentally overwhelming. Breaking it into one small decision at a time can make it much easier to begin.
How do I stop waiting for the "perfect time" to declutter?
The perfect time rarely arrives. Instead of waiting for an entire free weekend or a burst of motivation, try setting aside just 10–15 minutes. Small actions often create the momentum you've been waiting for.
What if I don't have enough time to declutter?
You don't need hours to make meaningful progress. Clearing one drawer, one shelf, or one small surface is enough to reduce mental load and build confidence for tomorrow.
Why does procrastination make clutter feel worse?
Every postponed decision becomes another unfinished task your brain continues to carry. Over time, those unfinished decisions can increase stress and make getting started feel even harder.
Is it okay to declutter slowly?
Absolutely. Sustainable progress almost always beats an exhausting weekend of trying to do everything at once. Moving at a pace that feels realistic makes it more likely you'll continue.
What's the best first step if I've been saying "I'll get to it someday"?
Choose one space that can be finished in less than 15 minutes. Completing something—even something small—helps shift your brain from thinking about decluttering to actually experiencing success.
How can a professional organizer help if I've been avoiding decluttering for years?
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🤝 Need a Compassionate Partner?
If you've been telling yourself, "I'll get to it someday," you're not alone.
The good news is that "someday" doesn't have to mean "never."
If you're in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., or parts of Maryland, I'd love to help you take that first step. Together, we'll move at a pace that feels encouraging—not overwhelming.
