Decluttering Habits That Reduce Stress: Creating Space for a Calmer Life

It’s a familiar scene for many of us—walking into a room and immediately feeling the weight of everything around us. The clutter on the table, the pile of laundry, the half-read books gathering dust. There’s a certain heaviness in the air, a kind of invisible pressure that seems to grow with each item out of place. And while it’s easy to shrug it off as "just stuff," I think we all know there’s more to it. Somehow, the clutter has a way of making its way inside us, too—taking up space in our minds, our energy, and even our emotions.

The Subtle Impact of Clutter on Our Stress Levels

When I think about the spaces that feel the most peaceful to me, they aren’t the perfectly styled, minimalist homes we often see in magazines. Instead, they’re the homes that feel lived-in but not overwhelming. Places where there’s room to breathe. And I’ve noticed that this breathing room—the open spaces, the clear surfaces—isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about what those spaces allow us to feel: calm, unburdened, at ease.

Clutter, on the other hand, can sneakily raise our stress levels. It’s like background noise that’s always there, even when we’re not consciously aware of it. We might tell ourselves it doesn’t bother us, but the truth is, living in a cluttered environment often leads to mental clutter as well. It's harder to focus, harder to relax, and harder to find a sense of peace when our surroundings feel chaotic.

I remember once standing in front of my overflowing bookshelf, feeling this odd mix of attachment and overwhelm. Every book had its place in my life, but the sheer volume of them—stacked, some unread—made the space feel suffocating. It was a small thing, but clearing out just a few gave me a strange sense of relief. It wasn’t just about making the shelf look nicer. It was about lightening the mental load, even just a little bit.

Decluttering as a Form of Self-Care

For many of us, stress comes from juggling too much at once—too many tasks, too many responsibilities, too much clutter. And while decluttering won’t solve all of life’s stressors, it can be a surprisingly effective way to create a bit more mental space.

I’ve found that decluttering can feel like an act of self-care. It's less about getting rid of things and more about making room for what really matters. When we start clearing out the excess, we’re not just freeing up physical space—we’re also freeing ourselves from the emotional weight tied to those things.

Here are a few gentle habits that can help reduce stress, without making decluttering feel like a daunting chore:

Start small: Tackle just one drawer, one shelf, or one corner of a room at a time. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I’ve noticed that even clearing off a single surface—like the kitchen counter—can make a space feel so much more manageable.
Set a time limit: Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to declutter a small area. Sometimes, knowing there’s an end in sight makes the task feel more approachable. Plus, it’s amazing how much you can accomplish in such a short time.
Let go of “someday” items: These are the things we hold onto “just in case” or for some undefined future moment. I’ve held onto old craft supplies, telling myself that one day I’d use them, only to realize years later that they were just taking up space.

The Emotional Side of Letting Go

Decluttering isn’t always easy, especially when we’re dealing with sentimental items. There’s this tension between wanting to keep things that remind us of a person or time in our life, and the desire to let go of the past and make space for the present.

I still have a box of letters from an old friend who passed away years ago. Every time I open it, I feel both comforted and weighed down by the memories. I haven’t brought myself to part with them yet, and maybe I never will. But I’ve started to realize that decluttering doesn’t have to mean getting rid of everything. Sometimes, it’s about finding a balance—keeping what truly matters and letting go of the rest.

That’s the thing about decluttering: it’s not just about the stuff. It’s about our relationship to it. And that relationship is often more complicated than we’d like to admit. Some things we hold onto because they feel like safety nets, while others are simply reminders of who we used to be. But I think there’s a quiet power in asking ourselves, “Does this still serve me?”—and answering honestly.

Creating a Calm Environment Through Simple Changes

You don’t need to embark on a full-blown minimalist journey to reduce stress through decluttering. Even a few small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your space feels—and how you feel in it.

Here are a few ideas to create that sense of calm:

Clear surfaces: Clutter tends to gather on flat surfaces—tables, counters, desks. Try keeping these areas as clear as possible, only leaving out items that are functional or bring you joy.
Create a “drop zone”: Designate a specific place for things like keys, mail, and bags. Having a home for these everyday items can help prevent them from spreading throughout the house.
Use storage wisely: Baskets, bins, and drawers can be helpful tools for containing clutter. But it’s important to use them intentionally. I’ve noticed that sometimes storage can be a way of hiding clutter rather than truly organizing it.

Building Decluttering Habits That Stick

Decluttering isn’t a one-time event; it’s a practice, something that happens slowly over time. And like any habit, the key is to start small and be consistent. One of the biggest challenges I’ve found with keeping my space clutter-free is the tendency for things to creep back in—whether it’s a new gadget I don’t really need or another stack of mail I’ve been meaning to sort through.

But I’ve realized that decluttering isn’t about achieving a perfect, forever-pristine space. It’s about being mindful of what we allow into our homes and our lives. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s awareness. That’s why I think some of the most effective decluttering habits are the ones that help us keep clutter at bay in a gentle, ongoing way.

Here are a few habits that can help make decluttering part of your daily or weekly routine, without feeling overwhelming:

Adopt a “one in, one out” rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of something else. This keeps things from accumulating and forces you to be more intentional about what you keep. It sounds simple, but I’ve found it surprisingly difficult at times. There’s always the temptation to hang onto things “just in case,” but practicing this rule helps me stay more mindful.
Do a daily five-minute tidy: Set a timer for five minutes at the end of each day to quickly tidy up a space. It doesn’t have to be anything major—just putting away stray items or clearing a cluttered surface. I’ve noticed that this small habit creates a sense of order, even when the day itself feels chaotic.
Create “clutter-free zones”: Choose one or two spaces in your home to keep completely clutter-free—whether it’s your dining table, your bedside table, or a cozy corner of the living room. I’ve found that having even just one clutter-free area can make the whole house feel calmer, and it gives me a place to retreat when I need a mental break.

The Mental Shift That Comes with Decluttering

One thing I’ve noticed is how decluttering has a way of shifting my mindset. At first, it’s easy to approach it as a chore—a task to be checked off the to-do list. But over time, it starts to feel like something deeper. It becomes a way of taking care of myself, of creating an environment that reflects who I am and how I want to live.

I remember the first time I decluttered my bedroom. It wasn’t about getting rid of things for the sake of it. It was about creating a space that felt restful, a place where I could unwind at the end of the day. The act of clearing out the unnecessary—old clothes, random knick-knacks, and papers—felt like clearing space for myself. And with that came a sense of calm I hadn’t anticipated.

It’s funny how the external can mirror the internal. When our space is cluttered, our minds often follow suit. But when we create room—physical room—we’re also creating the possibility for emotional and mental clarity. It’s like opening a window in a stuffy room, letting in fresh air.

The Balance Between Decluttering and Sentimentality

Of course, it’s not always easy to let go of things. Sometimes, there’s an emotional attachment to the items we own, and decluttering can stir up feelings we weren’t expecting. I’ve often found myself holding onto something—an old T-shirt, a birthday card from years ago—not because I need it, but because of the memories it holds. And in those moments, I have to ask myself: Am I holding onto this because it still brings me joy, or because I’m afraid to let go of the past?

There’s no right or wrong answer, and I don’t think decluttering is about ruthlessly purging everything that doesn’t serve a practical purpose. It’s about finding balance—letting go of the things that weigh us down while keeping the things that truly matter. I still keep a box of sentimental items tucked away in my closet. It’s not something I need to see every day, but knowing it’s there brings me comfort. And maybe that’s okay. Decluttering doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor.

Gentle Ways to Approach Decluttering

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering, know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we have to do it all at once or that we’re failing if we can’t part with certain things. But I’ve found that taking a slow, gentle approach makes the process so much more manageable—and more meaningful.

Here are a few ways to make decluttering feel a little less daunting:

Focus on one category at a time: Instead of trying to tackle an entire room, focus on just one type of item—like clothes, books, or kitchen utensils. This can make the process feel more focused and less overwhelming.
Give yourself grace: Decluttering can be emotional, and it’s okay if it takes time. There’s no rush, no deadline. Some things will be easier to let go of than others, and that’s perfectly normal.
Reflect on what matters: Before you start decluttering, take a moment to reflect on what’s truly important to you. What do you want your space to feel like? What items bring you joy or serve a meaningful purpose? Having a clear sense of your priorities can help guide your decisions.

At the end of the day, decluttering is a deeply personal journey. It’s not about achieving a picture-perfect home; it’s about creating a space that feels peaceful and true to who you are. And if that means keeping a few things that don’t quite fit the minimalist ideal, so be it. What matters is that your home feels like a place where you can breathe, relax, and be yourself.