The Doom Bag Dilemma: How to Tackle a Bag of Clutter

If you’ve ever stuffed miscellaneous items into a bag “just for now,” only to leave it untouched for months, you’re not alone. 

These chaotic bundles—commonly known as doom bags, particularly within ADHD communities —are a common response to clutter overwhelm. Whether it’s a shopping bag full of papers, a tote hiding broken chargers, or a backpack stashed with random bits from a frantic tidy-up, these bags of clutter have a way of multiplying—and weighing us down.

Let’s dive into why doom bags happen, what they really cost us, and most importantly, how to gently clear them out. With the right approach, even the most overwhelming bags of clutter can be transformed into calm and order.

What Is a Doom Bag?

A doom bag is a container (often a bag, box, or basket) filled with assorted items you didn’t have time or energy to sort or store properly – ‘DOOM’ stands for ‘Didn’t Organise Only Moved’, if you’re interested.

Doom bags are typically filled during moments of stress or distraction—they’re things we plan to “deal with later” but rarely revisit.

They may seem like a temporary fix, but doom bags can become a long-term problem if not addressed.

Why We Create Doom Bags and Clutter Bags

The Hidden Cost of Doom Bags

Doom bags quietly take up space—and not just in your home.

• Physical clutter: Clutter bags block rooms, crowd cupboards, or fill up floorspace.
• Mental load: You know they’re there—even if you don’t see them. The unfinished business lingers in your mind, adding stress.
• Lost functionality: A spare room, home office, or hallway full of clutter can’t serve its true purpose.

Decision paralysis: The more bags you accumulate, the harder it is to know where to begin.

How to Tackle a Doom Bag (or Any Bag of Clutter)

You don’t have to tackle them all at once. In fact, please don’t. Start small, go slow, and follow these simple, mindful steps.

Step 1: Set the Scene

• Choose just one bag. That’s your only focus.
• Block out quiet, uninterrupted time—30 to 60 minutes is plenty. Setting a timer is often a good way to get yourself going as you try to beat the clock.
• Prepare a cup of tea, play music if that helps —make it as enjoyable as possible.
• Ensure you’re fed and hydrated. You’ll make clearer decisions when your needs are met.

Step 2: Unpack and Categorise

• Empty the bag onto a clean, flat surface.
• Group like with like—pens, paper, receipts, tools, cables, etc.
• Throw out obvious rubbish right away.
• Don’t overthink it. You’re not deciding what to keep and where to keep it at this point – one step at a time…

Step 3: Make Clear Decisions

Then, for each item, ask:

• Do I use this?
• Do I want this?
• Does it have a place in my home?

If you’re unsure, try the “Possible Declutter Box” technique:

• Place undecided items into a labelled box.
• Tuck it out of sight.
• Set a reminder in your calendar for 6 months time —if you haven’t missed the items, it’s safe to let them go.

Step 4: Tackle To-do Items

Many items in doom bags aren’t just things—they’re unfinished tasks. That’s why they’re stressful.

Examples: a battery that needs replacing, a return to make, a note to follow up on. 

Sometimes they might even be items that represent goals and dreams we’ve yet to fulfil – it can be emotional.

Try labelling each task using the Eisenhower Matrix:

1. Important & Urgent — these you’ll do now or very soon, though it’s unlikely you’ll  find many of them in a doom bag, as they rarely hold urgent items.
2. Important but Not Urgent — schedule it in your diary.
3. Not Important but Urgent —  again, schedule it in your diary, or try to delegate if possible.
4. Not Important & Not Urgent — let it go. 

—

 Little jobs stack up. One is doable, but too many tend to sit around forever not getting done. Ask what you can realistically get done and whether the free time is actually more valuable to you? Are you really going to mend that jumper with a hole in it? Can you let it go?

—

For items you’ve decided do need action, start a “To-Do Box”:

• Keep it accessible.
• Check in weekly.
• Use it to gather other to-do items in future

Step 5: Find a Home for What You Keep

If it’s worth keeping, it deserves a home.

• Store it near where you use it.
• Group similar items together.
• If you can’t think of where it belongs, ask: “Do I really need this?”

If you’re constantly unsure, that’s often a clue it’s not adding value to your life.

Step 6: Celebrate Progress

You’ve done something powerful: you faced the stuff you were avoiding.

• Recognize your effort.
• Reward yourself with something enjoyable.

Set a date in your calendar for the next clutter bag. Momentum builds motivation.

How to Prevent Future Doom Bags 

You’ve tackled one doom bag. Now let’s prevent more from forming.

Build Simple Daily Habits

• 10-minute evening tidy: do a sweep of surfaces or put things back. This is the single most important way you can prevent clutter from building. Again, set a timer and try to beat the clock.
• A harder habit to get into, but incredibly helpful if you can: practice putting things away as you use them, rather than setting them down for later. You might start by practicing this daily for a short time, maybe 30 minutes, and building on it every week.
• Spend a few minutes resetting your space before leaving a room. 

A problem I’ve seen with many clients is that they are too stressed or rushed to tidy as they go. But by not tidying, you’re actually making future you more stressed. Practicing these habits takes a mindful calm attitude, so pick a time to do it that’s not usually too stressful. Progress will be slow, but over time, it can become your normal way of being!

Create Structured Boxes

Instead of random doom bags, you’ll now have:

• A “To-Do Tray” for pending tasks.
• A “Declutter Box” for things you’re unsure about.
• If you absolutely must, you can also give each room a drop zone basket for sorting once a week.

These alternatives are still “containers,” but with purpose and a plan.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This

Doom bags aren’t just about clutter—they’re about coping. They’re an attempt to buy ourselves time, energy, and peace. But over time, they steal the very things we hoped they’d save.

By gently unpacking your bags of clutter and making conscious decisions—one item, one task, one bag at a time—you’re creating a more supportive home. One that feels lighter, calmer, and more aligned with how you want to live.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.

Need Help?

If this feels overwhelming or you need support to get started, I’m here to help. Whether it’s one bag or an entire room or home, we can work together to create a space that feels calm, functional and homely.