From Cluttered to Calm: Transform Your Space – Part 1

The Case for Decluttering

We spend a significant amount of time in our homes. So, shouldn’t it be an enjoyable, calming, and mindful space?

There are many reasons to declutter your home and way more benefits of doing so. And it may be a stretch, but our living spaces sometimes become a reflection of our chaotic lives. We’re constantly juggling work, family, and personal commitments, leaving little time to focus on our environment. As a result, clutter accumulates, affecting our mental wellbeing and the calming nature we should be experiencing in our homes. Well, no more. We don’t have to live this way. Transforming your space from cluttered to calm can be a powerful step towards reclaiming your peace and peace of mind. Trust me, I decluttered my bedroom recently, and I instantly felt better standing there looking around that room. It was suddenly a space I wanted to relax in, as opposed to a space I wanted to avoid.

Why Clutter Affects Your Mind: Understanding the Connection

Clutter isn’t just an aesthetic thing—it has real psychological effects. Studies have shown that clutter can contribute to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. When we’re surrounded by mess, our brains are constantly processing visual stimuli, leading to overstimulation. This creates a sense of being overwhelmed and can make it difficult to focus or relax.

In fact, research from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families (CELF) revealed that individuals who lived in cluttered homes showed higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). This means that clutter directly affects our nervous system, keeping us in a heightened state of alertness. Wow, right? By organizing and decluttering, we’re not just tidying up—we’re also reducing mental overload and creating space for calm and clarity.

Start Small: Tackle Clutter One Room at a Time

One of the biggest barriers to decluttering is the overwhelming task of tackling your entire home. To avoid burnout and frustration, start small. Begin with a single room or even a specific area within a room. With my bedroom, I had piles of stuff near the window—so that I wouldn’t have to step over or trip over anything to get to my closet, ensuite, bookcase, or bed. Since this area was my frustration that I literally looked at every day, that’s where my focus was.

1. Pick a small area: Choose a space like your desk, a closet, or a countertop. Starting with one small area ensures that you can complete it in a short amount of time, giving you a sense of accomplishment.
2. Sort items into categories: Make piles for keep, donate, and toss, for example. I do this religiously. My local Goodwill knows my face because I’m always donating something. I’m also at the local dump at least once a week. You have to be intentional in letting go of things you don’t need or use.
3. Organize: Once you’ve sorted your items, find a home for everything you’re keeping. Use baskets, trays, or drawers to store them out of sight. Mindful practice tip: go shopping if necessary for some new organization items. Don’t overspend though, cause that’s not mindful and does more harm than good.
4. Move on to the next space: Once the first area is decluttered, the next thing you want to do is celebrate your win, and then you want to move on to the next space. Over time, this approach will help you build the momentum you need to get it all done.

Mindful Decluttering: Letting Go with Intention

Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things—it’s about making space for what truly serves you. A mindful approach to decluttering involves letting go of possessions with intention and gratitude. Instead of mindlessly discarding, take a moment to appreciate the item’s purpose in your life. This can be especially difficult with sentimental items.

One example though is, if you’re decluttering your closet, ask yourself: do I still love this item? Does it serve a purpose? And of course, in the words of Marie Kondo, does it bring me joy? I used to laugh at the idea of an item bringing me joy, for many reasons. However, I understand that as human beings, our things often evoke emotions.

It’s important to ask yourself these questions. This mindful approach can help you feel more connected to the process and not have you feeling a way about letting go of things you don’t need anymore.

Stay Mindful, Stay Grounded, and Keep Sipping!

What space in your home do you need to tackle first? Let me know in the comments.