Decluttering Tips for a Cluttered Home: Creating Space for What Truly Matters
I’ll admit, there’s something comforting about a cluttered home, especially when every corner holds memories and mementos from different stages of life. But over time, what once felt cozy can start to feel suffocating. It’s like the weight of all those things begins to press down on you—not in a dramatic way, but just enough to make you feel restless in your own space.
That’s when I started exploring the idea of decluttering. Not as a way to throw things away for the sake of it, but as a way to breathe a little easier.
What Does Clutter Mean to You?
Before diving into tips, it’s worth asking yourself: what is clutter, really? Because it’s different for everyone. For some, it’s stacks of unread books piling up on the floor. For others, it’s the overflowing drawers filled with old receipts or that closet stuffed with clothes you no longer wear. Clutter isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too.
I’ve noticed that for me, clutter starts to accumulate when I’m going through a big transition. A new job, moving to a new city, or even the end of a relationship can trigger a kind of “clutter creep.” Somehow, holding onto these things feels like a way to stay grounded, even though deep down, they might be holding me back.
Start Small: One Space at a Time
It’s tempting to think that to declutter your home, you need to tackle everything at once. But that’s overwhelming. Instead, focus on just one space. Pick a drawer, a shelf, or even just a corner of a room. The beauty of this approach is that it keeps things manageable. And with each small step, you start to feel the difference. The air around you seems lighter.
Here’s a gentle way to start:
Visualize the space as it could be. Before you remove anything, take a moment to picture what that space would feel like if it were clear and open. What emotions come up? What would it be like to walk into that room and just…breathe?
Set a timer. Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to work on that one space. Knowing there’s a limit keeps you from getting overwhelmed or feeling like you need to “do it all” right away.
Ask yourself: Do I still need this? When you pick up an item, consider whether it’s adding to your life or just filling space. Sometimes, it’s not the object itself, but what it represents that’s hard to let go of.
And if you’re still not sure? That’s okay. Put it aside and come back to it later. There’s no rush. The goal isn’t to strip your home bare but to make room for what truly matters to you right now.
Sentimental Items: The Hardest to Let Go
Of all the things that clutter our homes, sentimental items are often the hardest to part with. I remember once going through an old box of letters—handwritten notes from friends I hadn’t seen in years. Each one felt like a tiny thread, connecting me to a different time in my life. And while part of me knew that I didn’t need to keep every single letter, another part of me hesitated. What if I lost the memories tied to them?
I’ve found that, with sentimental items, it helps to take your time. Hold each item and ask yourself, What am I really holding onto here? Sometimes, it’s not the object itself, but the feeling it evokes. And if that’s the case, maybe you don’t need the item anymore to hold onto the memory.
Some ways to approach sentimental items:
Limit the number you keep. Instead of holding onto every memento, pick a few that really resonate with you. Store them in a way that honors their significance—a small box, or even a dedicated shelf, where they can be seen and appreciated rather than hidden away.
Take photos of the rest. If you’re struggling to part with certain things, consider taking a photo of them. This way, you preserve the memory without needing to keep the physical object.
Give yourself permission to keep some. Not everything needs to go. It’s okay to keep certain things just because they make you feel safe or connected to your past. Decluttering doesn’t mean stripping your home of everything sentimental; it means making thoughtful choices about what stays and what goes.
The Unexpected Emotional Weight of Clutter
It’s funny—sometimes, you don’t even realize the emotional weight clutter carries until you start clearing it out. I’ve noticed that after I declutter even a small area, I feel this unexpected sense of relief, like I’ve let go of something I didn’t even realize was burdening me. And it’s not just about the physical space. It’s about creating emotional room for new things to enter your life—new experiences, new feelings, even new perspectives.
But here’s the thing: this process can bring up a lot of emotions. Decluttering isn’t just about the stuff; it’s about facing the parts of yourself that are tied up in those things. Maybe you’re holding onto something because it represents a version of you that you’re not ready to let go of. Or maybe the clutter is a shield, protecting you from the discomfort of change.
Either way, it’s okay to feel conflicted. The goal isn’t to declutter perfectly or quickly. It’s about making space for what feels good to you, one small step at a time.
Decluttering as a Form of Self-Care
When I first started looking at decluttering as more than just “tidying up,” I realized it had the potential to be something deeper. It’s not just about getting rid of things. It’s about creating an environment that nurtures you. In a way, it’s an act of self-care, allowing your surroundings to reflect how you want to feel.
Think about it: a cluttered home can mirror a cluttered mind. When your space is filled with too much—too many things, too much noise, too many obligations—it can be hard to find clarity. But when you begin to clear some of that away, you create room for calm, for focus, for the things that bring you joy.
One of the most helpful mindsets I’ve discovered is approaching decluttering with kindness toward yourself. Instead of viewing it as a chore, think of it as an opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters to you. What do you want your space to say about your life right now? What kind of energy do you want to create in your home? When we frame it this way, decluttering becomes less about sacrifice and more about intention.
Practical Decluttering Tips: Finding What Works for You
Here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to decluttering. Some people thrive on the KonMari method, holding each item and asking, “Does this spark joy?” Others prefer a more functional approach, focusing on what they actually use day-to-day. What I’ve learned over the years is that the “best” method is the one that feels right for you. And that might change depending on where you are in life.
A few practical strategies to consider:
The One-In-One-Out Rule: For every new item that comes into your home, let one go. This helps maintain balance and keeps clutter from sneaking back in. For example, if you buy a new sweater, donate or recycle one that you no longer wear.
The Four-Box Method: When tackling a space, bring in four boxes labeled: Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. This method helps you make quick decisions without feeling overwhelmed. It also provides a visual sense of progress as the boxes fill up.
Declutter by Category, Not Location: If you’re finding it hard to tackle a whole room, try decluttering by category. For example, gather all the books in your home and sort through them in one go. Or focus on kitchen gadgets, clothing, or paper clutter. This helps you see how much of one thing you actually own—and whether you really need it all.
What’s Hiding in Those “Junk Drawers”?
I think every home has at least one of these: the dreaded junk drawer. It’s the place where things seem to accumulate without rhyme or reason—random receipts, batteries, keys to who-knows-what. It’s funny how these small spaces, though out of sight, can still make us feel anxious or disorganized.
I used to avoid these areas because I didn’t know where to start. But once I started clearing them out, it was like uncovering little pockets of relief. I found things I’d forgotten about—old birthday cards, a charger for a phone I no longer owned. And once those drawers were clear, I realized how much lighter I felt, knowing there weren’t little pockets of chaos hiding in my home.
Here’s what I’ve found helps:
Set a boundary for what belongs there. Decide what your junk drawer is for—maybe it’s a catch-all for small household items, like scissors, pens, or notepads. But be intentional. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, it doesn’t need to be in the drawer.
Use small dividers or trays. Sometimes, the chaos of a junk drawer is just because everything is mixed together. Small containers or dividers can make a world of difference. Even if you still have random items in there, they’re at least neatly corralled.
Revisit it every few months. Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing. Things will naturally accumulate over time, but if you regularly take a few minutes to clean out spaces like junk drawers, it keeps the clutter from building up again.
Letting Go of the “Just In Case” Mentality
Another roadblock I’ve encountered—both in myself and in conversations with others—is the idea of holding onto things “just in case.” I used to do this all the time. I’d keep old cables, outgrown clothes, kitchen gadgets I never used, all because I thought, What if I need this one day? But here’s the truth: most of the time, that “just in case” never comes.
It seems like we hold onto these items out of fear—fear of waste, fear of regret, or maybe even fear of not being prepared. But all that holding on creates a kind of mental clutter, too. And every time we open a drawer or closet and see those unused things, there’s a little reminder of that fear.
I’ve been trying to shift my mindset on this. Instead of holding onto things out of fear, I try to trust that if I really need something in the future, I’ll find a way to get it. And more often than not, I’ve found that letting go of the “just in case” items frees up space not only in my home but in my mind.
Finding Joy in the Space You Create
At the end of the day, decluttering isn’t about getting rid of stuff just for the sake of it. It’s about creating a space that feels like home. A place where you can relax, think clearly, and find a little bit of peace amid the chaos of life. The process of decluttering is as much about the journey as the destination—those moments when you finally let go of something you’ve been holding onto for years or the first time you walk into a room and feel that sense of calm.
For me, the joy isn’t in the perfectly organized closet or the minimalist aesthetic. It’s in the feeling that my space is reflecting who I am now, not who I used to be. And maybe that’s the real reward of decluttering—not the absence of things, but the presence of intention.