How Decluttering Will Help You Thrive

HomeLifeDeclutter

Oct. 4

I'm sure you already know that decluttering can reap positive benefits at home - it makes more space, it means less time cleaning and it feels calmer and more peaceful.

But the benefits to you go much further than that.

A decluttered and simple home allows you to thrive. It gives you the freedom to come alive and live your essential life. It’s a game changer.

The environments you spend the most time in play a huge role in how healthy you are, how effective and how happy. The things we have around us really do have a big impact on our lives.

The concept is actually quite simple - the more stuff we have the less space we have for the abundance we're seeking. That might be an abundance of health, of love, of wealth, of spirituality, or of contribution to the world. It's the life we dream of and are meant to fulfill. Our essential life. It's the life we can attain when we thrive on a daily basis.

But clutter - both in our physical, visual and mental space - can block us from thriving and gaining abundance. It can drain our energy and weigh us down.

Yeah, but… I’ve got years of clutter. How can I even make a dent?

I know it can be hugely overwhelming - and potentially difficult to let go of possessions that are linked to memories and emotions. I can understand when I hear people say they want to simplify but it's too overwhelming to begin.

why decuttering is essential to living comfortably

The good news? Decluttering and simplifying your home can be done through the tiny-step method that makes it really easy…and still really effective.

Decluttering can be an easy and quick process when done over time. That way it doesn’t wear you out and steadily gives you back your gusto little by little.

I encourage my students to use the Essentialist Method - a method I learned by going through the process myself.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

1. Visualize the life you want.

Picture what you want to achieve, what you want your home to look like, what freedom from chaos would mean to you, and how your life would change because of more time, clarity and peace. Visualize the abundance you deserve!

2. Look around your home as it is today.

Do those t-shirts from 20 years ago fit with your life vision? Will having the small appliances you never use help you achieve it? Do all the papers laying around prevent you from having the time to make steps toward your goals?

If not, they need to go.

Your life is lived out in large part at home on a day-day basis. So the life you envision will only be attainable if your home supports it.

3. Do a mental declutter.

Get a journal and do a brain dump each day of the things that are clogging up your brain. You'll feel better getting everything out on paper where you can either come back to it later or just cross it out and forget it forever. This post on doing a complete mind declutter might be helpful.

4. Begin slowly.

Pick one small area of your home (your sock drawer, one pantry shelf, your medicine cabinet) each day and take 15 minutes to declutter it. That’s it. Just 15 minutes and no more. You don’t want to get overwhelmed and not finish what you start. Keep a bin and a trash bag handy for donations and garbage as you go.

5. Remember to decorate.

I firmly believe that it’s not good enough just to declutter - your home should inspire you to live beautifully! And that means making it beautiful and meaningful to you. Without adding too much clutter, layer in decorating and comforting elements like photos, artwork, pillows, rugs, plants and mementos that make you grateful to be alive.

5. Develop processes and habits.

Once you get your home looking good, you have to make it easy to KEEP it that way! Do some home hacks to make your entryway super functional and easy to keep clean. Make a home for everything and label where things go so that piles don’t keep building up on surfaces. Create new habits around the home of putting things away immediately, of creating some quiet time for yourself, of making cleaning quick and convenient.

It takes time and lots of tiny steps, but if you follow the Essentialist Method, you'll have a decluttered environment that begins to reflect your vision more and more. Good luck, and enjoy the process!