7 Things to Declutter From Your Life Today
Inside: Is your life feeling cluttered? Here are seven helpful things to declutter from your life today.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your life?
Trust me – you aren’t alone.
When it comes to clutter, the struggle is real. It slowly accumulates, filling every nook and cranny. You might not notice it at first, but over time, it has a way of totally taking over your life.
And it’s not just your physical space. Clutter has a way of creeping into pretty much everywhere if you let it – your cell phone, your calendar, and even your mind.
The good news?
You don’t have to let clutter win. You can take back control.
And you don’t have to wait – you can start by getting rid of these things to declutter from your life today.
Why is decluttering so important, anyway?
Some people think that clutter is A-OK. After all, if you’ve lived with it for longer than you can remember, it can almost become a part of who you are and what you do.
But that doesn’t make it acceptable.
Clutter can negatively impact your life in a multitude of ways, whether or not you actually feel like it does. It can raise your stress level, consciously or subconsciously.
Clutter can make it more difficult to focus, concentrate, think critically, and be creative. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious – even if you can’t really pinpoint why you’re feeling that way.
Decluttering your life might sound like a daunting task, but believe me, it’s well worth the effort. Getting rid of stuff that’s no longer serving you and only exists to gather dust is rewarding, fulfilling, and has the potential to transform your mental state.
Give it a try. You might just be surprised to see how much better you feel once you’ve cleared away all that clutter in your home and your life.
7 Things to Declutter From Your Life Today
So, you’re ready to declutter. That’s great, but where do you begin?
There’s no right or wrong place to start your decluttering journey. And there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.
Committing to declutter as little as one thing a day can make a big difference over time – as long as you aren’t bringing in new clutter during the process.
If you’re ready to start simplifying, here are a few things you can declutter from your life today to help you jumpstart the process.
Note: Each of the things that you can declutter from your life today includes a start small tip for a quick action item you can do right away.
1. Declutter your closet.
Looking for an easy win? Decluttering your closet will help you check that box and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Most of us hold onto things we’re never going to wear again. Shirts that are too big or too small, shoes that don’t quite fit, dresses you’ve never worn but you promise you’re going to find a reason to wear one day… despite the fact that it’s been hanging in your wardrobe, gathering dust for three years.
Not to mention, the closet is a great place for all kinds of boxes, bins, bags, and stuff to hide.
Decluttering your closet is a win-win. You’ll benefit from having a better understanding of what’s in there and being able to quickly and easily find what you need without sorting through the clutter.
And since most of the clothes, coats, shoes, and apparel you declutter can be donated, you’ll benefit someone in need, too.
Start small tip: Pick just one type of clothing (short-sleeved shirts, jeans, shorts, etc) and start there!
2. Declutter your cell phone.
When it comes to decluttering, most people think about their physical space – not digital. But there’s definitely merit in decluttering your digital devices, including your cell phone.
Think about it. Do you have many apps do you have installed on your mobile device that you never use? How much of your phone’s memory is taken up by photos you don’t actually want to keep and won’t ever look at again?
How many voicemails and downloads are clogging up your device? What about all the phone numbers you’ve saved to your phone that you’ll truly never use again?
By decluttering your cell phone, you’ll boost your device’s capabilities and your well-being.
Start small tip: Focus on just your apps first. Delete the ones you don’t need or use. Move onto the contacts list next if you have time.
3. Declutter your kitchen.
The kitchen is another spot in your house that is easy to clutter up. Maybe you have pots and pans collecting dust in the back of your cabinets.
Maybe you’ve got an Instapot and a juicer that is taking up a ton of counter space but never gets used. You might have a pantry filled with canned goods and spices that are long expired – yes, they do go bad eventually.
Whatever your kitchen situation currently is, chances are it – and you – can benefit from a decluttering session.
Start small tip: Pick just one shelf, drawer, cabinet, or countertop, and declutter it today.
4. Declutter your purse.
Some people are very intentional about what goes into their purse or wallet.
But most of us?
Most of us could benefit from giving our bags a little TLC.
It’s easy for receipts, pens, lip balms, and who knows what else to vanish into our purses, never to be seen again (this is especially true if you have young children).
And while it isn’t going to ruin your life, it is going to make it that much more difficult for you to find what you need – your phone, your wallet, your keys – when you need it.
By decluttering your purse, you’ll eliminate a small but meaningful source of stress from your life – and make it exponentially easier to find the things you’re looking for.
Start small tip: Begin by decluttering your wallet and then move on to your purse.
5. Declutter your schedule.
Do you feel stressed out at the thought of how busy your day will be? Are you constantly running from one obligation to the next, bouncing between appointments, meetups, dinner dates, and everything else you’ve got going on?
Try decluttering your calendar.
Many of us are under the impression that being busy is good, but that isn’t necessarily the case. We all need a little downtime to decompress, destress, and chill out. And if you don’t already have that in your schedule, you probably need to step back from some of those obligations.
Make sure you aren’t busy for the sake of being busy. Pull up your calendar and review your days.
What meetings and appointments leave you totally exhausted? Are there any commitments you’ve made that don’t help you move forward toward your goals? Consider saying no and declining those invitations.
By giving yourself more time in your day, you’ll find yourself happier and healthier.
Start small tip: Find just one thing on your schedule that you can move or cancel to have more balance or breathing room in your calendar.
6. Declutter your car.
When we think about decluttering our physical space, most of us immediately think about our homes – and nothing further.
But unless you’re one of those people who keep their vehicle meticulously clean at all times, chances are there’s some clutter lurking that you could get rid of.
Check the glove compartment for expired registration and old receipts. Clear out your trunk and see what’s lurking in the corners of your back seat. Bring stuff that doesn’t actually belong in your car into your home – and put it in its proper place.
You might be surprised to see just how much more relaxing your daily commute can be when your car is organized and clutter-free.
Start small tip: Begin by removing all trash from the car. If that’s all you can do today, that’s ok!
7. Declutter your thoughts.
A great thing to declutter from your life today? Let go of your negative thoughts that aren’t benefitting you in any way.
Easier said than done, right? It can be especially challenging when you have developed a habit of negative thinking.
But, the good news is there are various ways to change your mindset and improve how you’re feeling.
Decluttering your thoughts takes intentionality. The world is full of noise and constant distractions. Slowing down and taking time to think and focus takes effort.
Journaling is a great option for this. If you aren’t sure where to start use these mindful journaling prompts to help you begin.
Taking care of your mental health and processing through your thoughts and potential emotional clutter is an important part of your well-being.
Start small tip: go for a quick walk or simply sit outside for a bit. There are many mental and physical benefits to spending more time outdoors!
What do YOU need to declutter from your life today? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I take time to think about decluttering almost everyday. It’s very stressful for me. I know I need to do a little each day.
I keep promising myself to throw out mail and holiday cards from years ago. My clothes are in great condition so I keep saying that I will sell them on a popular app. I was going to pay someone to help me. But, it really wouldn’t help me. I should start under my kitchen sink where I have many empty air fresheners. That will be a good start for me. Then, the magazines and old mail!
Trish, I am you. You are me. Merry Christmas from your Kindred Spirit.
Good tips I need to declarer my calender my mind my online browsing for juicy stories and gossip my reading assignment pile ups
I need to declutter my large attic. It has become a place for everything that I do not know what to do with or that I may use some day lol…..
Simplicity helps you to achieve your purpose and give you more room or space for doing other things or helping people
Awesome tips
I’ve moved house and am totally disorganised
I would look at that as an awesome opportunity to declutter each and every area of my home! Take one room at a time and make it beautiful and organized! Congratulations on your new home!
Remarkable
Very helpful that you break the decluttering steps into starting small. I can manage one shelf or one type of clothing, Not the entire closet all at once.
Thanks for the wonderful advice and tips. They are greatly appreciated.
professional furniture and carpet cleaning.
Wash all curtains & bedding
Clean windows
mop floors
clean bathroom
Appreciate the comment on mental decluttering, taking a walk outside or just sitting outside in the sun with a cup of tea, listen to noises around you without judging and most IMPORTANTLY take a few deep breaths and appreciate your lungs. Doing this for a few minutes every day really makes a difference, it’s simple, it’s free, it’s attainable.
I am moving and need to get rid of loads of things, but don’t seem able to start.
I have moved many times. Start, when you have lots of energy, by packing your favourite things. When you run out of energy, and no longer care, take those things to the op shop or throw them out.
start with garbage first. then pick out 30 outfits that you can fit into and you like and you wear, and give the rest away. Now pick out shoes that will go with those outfits and give the rest away. Keep 2 Coats for each seasonAnd give the rest away. Continue on with the rest of the items in your house. As far as papers only keep items that are documents for future reference Like passports birth certificates et c. one Box for Souvenirs or Momentos Keep sakes. Only pick out your best cook wear that you use and if you have multiples of items donate those
I am in the same “boat” .The advise to start small and complete one area at a time was how I got going. I have gotten rid of many things but it sure doesn’t look or feel like it!
Inspiring, I practiced decluttering a lot but the one I haven’t done was that of self, which is about negative thoughts decluttering. Thank you a bunch for the insightful article.
I try and start as in teh article – a small goal. The second I do, my wife is there like a predator to pounce on me – well you did that little bit, now how about this and this and this and this and this and this and this – and I am right back to the size of all the tasks totally overwhelming me, once again paralyzed to the point of inaction.
She means well. Her OCD way to do it would be to tackle it all until it is done, even if that is to the point of exhaustion. I work a demanding job and I just don’t have the time or energy (or frankly inclination) to torture myself that way. Left on my own, with your ‘take one bite at a time’ , I could and would happily do it all (though being a packrat by nature, it may take me 2 or 3 passes to finally release some things and get down to where we should be).
Any thoughts to make both our lives easier?
I need to declutter everything. Moved from a fairly large apartment to a Small one bedroom with one closet.
How to declutter the remnants of a 71 yr old life.
And it was not clutter free before!
I continue to try.
Yesterday when decluttering, I decided, after much thought, that it was time to get rid of the wedding cake top that has been in my attic for 56 years. I took it out of the wrappings and it fell apart in my hand, which confirmed it was time. Then I noticed that the figurines could be pried away from all the rest of the top, and they were in perfect condition. I decided to keep the little figurines. My point is that many mementos can be “shrunken”. It doesn’t take the whole item to trigger a memory. I saved two buttons years ago from my going away outfit. I have kept squares of fabric from special clothes (daughters’ Christening dress, etc.) These all fit nicely in a shoebox and take up a lot less space. Hope this helps someone.
I take a photo of the item for the memory of it. I just call it regular life maintenance. 😉
It does. That is a great idea. Thank you.
My clutter causes me so much stress. I lack good storage as well. So most things are sitting out, very seen. I need to declutter but it’s so overwhelming to tackle my whole house, it’s almost every room.
I have been decluttering for 3 yrs.
Progress, but still have things to get rid of. When my father died, my brother mailed my Dad’s s old rings to me. Now I have something I did not ask for; do not want or need; and I find it hard to discard. I am sure my brother mailed this to me because he could not toss either.
I made a appt. with a counselor next week; I hope I remember to talk about the rings.
Rings. Watches. They are so close to the person who passed. These are treasures. I would definitely keep the rings. Safely. If you don’t hand them down when the time is right, you just may decide to melt them and make one pendant or ring you wear. Dependent on your closeness to your father. I would but my father died a different very damaged cruel person. I yearn for the person he was.
I have always been a hoarder, and like a previous commentor have stuff every where and it just sits there. Hate to have open doors to have it so visible but find it very difficult to get started sorting it all.
I am simply wowed by this. I have been into de cluttering for a while. I try giving out whole of clothing materials to the less privileged. I have to try more. Most important part is that of the mind. Studying the bible helps me delete negative emotions and thoughts.
Your article has inspired me a great deal on how to declutter my life for better living. God bless you greatly.
Hire someone to help you out. Be surprised when you have someone helping how quickly things get done. I’ve helped a few people out and within a day no more clutter.
Brilliant idea. Committed.
I’m 41 years old and I have clothes from the 8th grade. I have a drawer that holds a lot of things I have no clue what they are, they just seem like they will come in handy at some time, it only gets fuller, never anything comes out. Those are the mild things, I am borderline hoarder and I cannot let go of things. I feel everything has some sentimental value. Any advice how to fix this before I have cats lost in my house???
You may find some of the tips in this post helpful: https://thesimplicityhabit.com/the-best-decluttering-tips-for-hoarders-who-want-help/. And there is also this one on sentimental items: https://thesimplicityhabit.com/declutter-sentimental-items/
Sure gonna have to read this daily to start de-cluttering my house a bit at a time
Cee Rae: If everything is important, then nothing is. (Patrick Lencioni). I have been decluttering for about 2 years. It is a tough process sometimes and other times I am on-top of it. Time and patience and trying to stay motivated. I have learned so much from Julia’s articles and tips (and decluttering quotes). The best is that everything should have a place (it really keeps things neat) and get it out the door once bagged/boxed. A little each day and sometimes so much gets done in one day. Either way, it is progress.
Juilanna, I would say the one place I need to declutter is my coat closet so my best friend and I are tackling it today!!! The nest big place I need to declutter is my bedroom clothes closet!! Than our outside shed!! We plan on doing both of these after the holidays!!! I’m disabled so this is why I need such help from my best friend!!! She is so kind to help like she does!!! I don’t know what I would do without her for many more reasons than decluttering!!!!
I took something away from everyone’s comments (no pun intended). You are all doing your best. You are beyond starting when you wrote your comments – great job! Just thinking these ideas is progress folks! ♥️
Back in the day, as I prospered, without given a second thought to the “cluttered life” I was setting up created a lovely, organized environment but “lots of it!” As I have advanced in years, reality visited me and I clearly began to understand that “freedom” and “inner peace” and a “quiet mind” was essential for the time zone I am in. Gradually, and with some difficulty, I started with the “closet!” Moved into the kitchen, bookshelves, music CD’s, DVD’s, even VHS tapes! And then…the decorator items I thought were creating “the look!” It’s taken me almost a year, followed the advice of a little every day without stressing myself and acknowledging that “letting go” especially of “memory boxes” was very tough. The reward for me now is that I feel free, able to use my creativity for things that “matter” and love my surroundings! Donation centers, libraries, and other outlets are better off with “my things” and my comforting thought is that others may be able to enjoy what they might not be able to buy at a story! So..in summary…decluttering has many twists and turns…all going in a very excellent direction! Hooray for the process of “decluttering!” What a gift!
How about under your sinks in kitchen and bathroom areas too. I don’t know about you guys, but it seems to me that we tend to put lots of things under the sink.
I need to declutter more slowly. I have made a lot of progress and am feeling motivated. I now need to start cleaning regularly again. I will start with dusting my bedroom. Thank you for this helpful article and great comments.
My phone. I have so many duplicate photos. I like the suggestion of sitting outside for awhile for wellbeing and am gradually working through my kitchen. Currently decluttering herbs and spices. Love the suggestions.
It has always been hard to declutter clothes that I love, even though at 83 I doubt my body will accept them even if I were to loose more weight. I have a care person who has connections with a women’s shelter and it has really helped me to know I am helping others. Also several of my friends who have admired my clothes are now wearing them which makes me happy. It is great to actually have a few empty spaces and drawers. I am shopping only for “ needs “ for now or soon. (Not sure how many years ? I have left to need clothes.). Your articles inspire me to keep at it a little bit each. Week!
I really need to work on. Get well and anniversary cards. I have years worth and when I do look at them they bring me joy, especially cards from my husband. He is not very verbal or physically loving now that he’s older and hurts so much, so 62 years worth of anniversary cards remind me that he loves me. Yes, he has given me (and I him) a card every year for 62 anniversaries, he even order the one this year from Amazon as shopping for one is so painful for him! So it is really hard to part with these because I never know now at our age when it will be the last one!
Little things bring with them a ton of joy. I felt like Queen of the world when I decluttered my purse. Now everything in it is essential. Every item has a home. I barely have to look to find what I need. It’s tidy, looks professional, even stylish. I’m now self-certified in teaching the art of the purse.
My next project to tackle will be my upright freezer and the refrigerator/ freezer in the kitchen. I know there are expired items hanging out in there and I can’t find anything in the freezer in the kitchen since it is on the bottom of the refrigerator and I can’t get down on my knees since knee surgery. It has become like a black hole.