If the thought of cleaning up the house makes you feel anxious, it's time to rethink your approach. First and foremost, try setting aside a day or two exclusively to make a detailed plan. Choose one room at a time and take everything out from that room, pile it up in front of the door (or in a separate pile if you have too much stuff), and decide which items you're going to keep and what needs to go out. You can donate anything else.