Learning points
The Consequences of Not Decluttering
Clutter can negatively impact our well-being by making us feel uncomfortable, anxious, and stressed. This is especially true for people who are highly sensitive since clutter can easily overstimulate the mind and the senses. Distractions occur more regularly and there are fewer opportunities to relax both physically and mentally. Over time, frustration builds up and you can even become less productive.
Why Decluttering Improves Wellbeing
Although not seen as fun or pleasant by the majority of people, decluttering and tidying up is an essential form of self-care and personal organization. It’s about removing items that are unnecessary, outdated, or untidy while keeping what sparks joy, utility, and positive vibes. Marie Kondo became a worldwide expert on this subject after publishing The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and some of the tips I’m about to share come from her book.
Benefits of Decluttering
After going through a decluttering session, you are likely to feel clearer and more energetic. This is a process that not only improves our physical space but also our headspace. We have more space both physically and mentally, which in turn gives us a certain sense of freedom and clarity. This experience eventually overflows to other areas of our life.
In a nutshell, we may say decluttering improves well-being because it facilitates decisions, increases awareness, promotes wellbeing, saves time, reduces stress, and creates space.
How to Declutter?
Decluttering in 3 Steps
Once you decide to initiate the process, decluttering can seem daunting and overwhelming. This is especially true if you have accumulated a lot of stuff and you are already running out of storage space. Keep calm and breathe deeply. It gets worse before it gets better, believe me. Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to start decluttering:
Step 1
Remove all items of place and put them on the floor to be easier to sort them through.
Step 2
Only keep items that bring you joy or that are useful on a regular basis. Everything else must go. You can either throw them away, donate or recycle them.
Step 3
Clean the items and their place of storage before putting them back in. As you hold each item, go through the decluttering question list once again to make sure you only keep what’s best for you.
Decluttering Question-List
Decluttering might seem easy but it can involve deep thinking and meaningful reflections. To make the process easier and more goal-oriented, it might be useful to hold each item separately and use the following questions in Step 2:
Final Thoughts
Decluttering is an important chore and we can benefit a great deal if we do it on a regular basis. It can not only be taken as an act of self-care as well as a starting point to bring more clarity into our life.
If the task feels rather daunting to you, you can manage it better by breaking the process into three steps. The first step is all about separating and creating categories of items. This can be somewhat messy so I recommend that you start small: choose only one category to work through at a time.
The second step is psychologically challenging for many of us. Do your best, to be honest with yourself and embrace the questions I shared in this blog post with courage, determination and self-discipline.
The final and last step is all about restoring order and freeing both your physical and psychological environment from the chaos there was once. Once you come to the end of the process, you will feel that your mission was accomplished.
thewellbeingblogger.com 
Great tips! I often feel lighter after de-cluttering.
Many Blessings
Lisa
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too! It’s refreshing. A tiny reset. Sending love 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a good post, sharing the reasons why decluttering is important for your mental health. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, lovely 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate chaos + clutter. Even though my house is beyond organized + clean, I’m often like can I declutter more lol. It feels therapeutic to get rid of the old + make new space. It’s so addicting lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great. It really helps the mind and getting organised around the house. I’m afraid I’m the exact opposite, hahah. When I finish the process, I have to start all over again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was so relatable 😭 the starting over again 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love a good decluttering and organisation, it makes me feel so good when I know things are organised and tidy. Thank you for sharing these tips.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for your decluttering tips. I’m a hoarder from hart, but minimalist by action. I have recently been more about removing items from my life and your steps are a great guide to have when looking at what I have in my life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely tips, Vanessa! De-cluttering definitely changes my whole mood and I feel very refreshed afterwards, it honestly works like as a therapy! Thank you so much for sharing. xx Penny / http://www.whatdidshetype.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am stuck in viciouse circle of too much stuff and I might need it later. Any tips for breaking this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can apply the 6-month rule: if you put it aside and you don’t use it in the following 6-months, then you are likely not going to use it and it got to go 🙌
LikeLike
I keep planning decluttering… but don’t dare to start … I might end up throwing everything out to spare myself from sorting
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always scared to begin the process of decluttering an area. I feel like I’m going to regret losing something I get rid of. But I always end up loving the result afterwards. I just have to remember that feeling when I’m trying to motivate myself to start.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good strategy to focus on ‘after feelings’. I think the more you do it, the less attached you become to stuff, and the easier it gets. Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Decluttering makes me feel less stressed. Great tips
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janera! 😊
LikeLike
You correctly stated, “Decluttering and tidying up is a necessary form of self-care and personal organization, even if it is not perceived as entertaining or pleasant by the majority of people.”
LikeLike
I do this while deep cleaning, but this letting go is hard. There is always this question: what if I need it later? Oh and then there are tons of kids things: “This is important! It doesn’t matter I don’t play with it … ever” Any tips for this? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s tough sometimes indeed. Try to apply the 6 month rule: if no wear or use within the next six months… out with it 😆💚
LikeLike
Some great tips here, Vanessa. I know a fair few people who could use your checklist. Also: totally agree that decluttering can be a boost to mental health.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Stefan! Feel free to share the checklist. At the end of the process, it feels very refreshing and worth it.
LikeLike
I 100% agree that decluttering is great for our well-being. I recently moved into a new apartment and decluttered before and after we packed/unpacked and it was cathartic (much needed). I definitely want to do more and this was a great post to read to get me motivated!
LikeLike
I really rate Marie Kondo’s method too. I couldn’t agree more with you! After a good decluttering session I always feel less stressed and more productive. Tidy room, tidy mind 🙂 I shall be applying these tips when I have to move again because I’m pretty certain there’s more clutter to cull! Thanks for sharing x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your feedback. Let me know how it goes. I’m applying some of these this weekend. A tidy room helps a lot x
LikeLike
I am definitely with you on this one. Clutter just brings chaos outside and inside me. I try to find time to declutter at least twice each year. Thank you for your tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your experience and results with decluttering ❤️
LikeLike
I enjoy decluttering but agree with what you said that it involves a lot of deep thinking on whether or not to keep an item. I try to declutter my room or at least my desk as often as I can. I noticed when my desk is clean it’s so much easier to get motivated to work again! 🙂
LikeLike
I enjoy decluttering but agree with what you said that it involves a lot of deep thinking on whether or not to keep an item. I try to declutter my room or at least my desk as often as I can. I noticed when my desk is clean it’s so much easier to get motivated to work again! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so true 😊 decluttering our desks reduces potential distractions and the overwhelming visual aspect of working in the middle of total chaos 😅 I’m guilty of that one, actually I should go decluttering my desk this weekend, ahah. Thank you for reading and for sharing your experience, Izzy ❤️
LikeLike
LOVE a good decluttering session!
Thelifestylebloggeruk.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s so refreshing! ❤️ Thank you for reading 😊
LikeLike
De-cluttering ALWAYS improves my mental well-being. I can’t stand clutter and too much “stuff” around me, it makes me really stressed and anxious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jenny! I’m glad it does have such a positive impact on you. It can really be a way to reduce anxiety. Thanks for sharing your experience and reading 😊 x
LikeLike
A good declutter can be very good way to feel like you’ve achieved something, and if you donate the stuff you don’t want to charity, then you can also get that feeling of doing something good too. Although I don’t think I could do it based on if something gave me joy, because I don’t feel those kinds of things for stuff
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good call, that’s definitely a good way to give back to the community 😊 I usually do that too. Thank you for reading and sharing your experience! 🤗
LikeLike
These are amazing tips! I really have to read Marie Kondo’s book! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good reference 😊 Let us know when you get to it! 📚 Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🤗
LikeLike
I have never understood the reason why I feel so better after decluttering but I know that messy wardrobes/drawers/cupboards make me feel irritated and cranky. Thank you for explaining this. I also feel that old, broken and stale items carry a lot of negative energy and by getting rid of them you are actually creating space for positive chi to flow.
I am going to take your post as a sign of using the weekend to declutter 🙂
Have a lovely weekend x
Twishaa
https://fivemagpies.blog/
LikeLike
I currently need to declutter. I liked the questions you asked. Does its make me feel good? It’s good question because when I am cleaning up and throwing things away I ask myself does this thing bring good memories back to mind or bad ones? Do I need this? Is this helping me in any way. Its good to even think about why am I keeping something.
LikeLike
I recently did a big declutter of books and clothes and I feel so much better for it! I’ve still got to go through my nick nacks, but it’s less overwhelming x
LikeLike
This is a great post. I definitely feel better when I declutter and should declutter again. I’m not sure I agree with Marie Kondo’s advice on decluttering everything that doesn’t serve a purpose or is used frequently…I’m a bit of a book and videogame horder🤫🙈😅
LikeLike
I always feel better after a good decluttering and with the changing season I will be doing this again soon! Thanks for sharing these tips!
LikeLike
oh, that cover photo is making me anxious! I keep trying to declutter, but it seems like an impossible task with kids. There are so many toys – no one plays, but they have to be 🙂 and also all these crafts they make – how do you get rid of these?
LikeLike
The issue for me; the thought of all the work it takes to declutter makes me exhausted. LOL! I’m going to work on getting through it, though.
LikeLike
Putting everything on the floor is such a good idea. I’m going to do this with others at some point next week.
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It helps! And more so if you have a big division. Cardboxes can also be of help. One for items to donate, other to throw away, and another to keep. Good luck with yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true points! Clutter makes me feel so unmotivated and helpless. Decluttering feels like a big power move and that leaves me feeling so much better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, totally agree with you. Being proactive about this can make a difference on our mental health and well-being. Thank you for coming by! I appreciate your view.
LikeLike
Great post! I wholeheartedly agree! I love decluttering as it gives me such a feeling of satisfaction and makes me feel lighter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely lighter inside out!
LikeLike
I recently did a big declutter of books and clothes and I feel so much better for it! Thanks for sharing these tips
LikeLike
These ae amazing tips! Clutter makes me feel so unmotivated and helpless. Decluttering feels like a big power move and that leaves me feeling so much better.
LikeLike
I like to declutter, but I agree with you that it requires a lot of in-depth consideration before deciding whether to keep an item. As often as I can, I try to organise my room or at the very least my workstation.
LikeLike
It’s such a fantastic idea to lay everything out on the floor. At some time next week, I’m going to do this with some other people.
I appreciate you sharing!
LikeLike