Why Now is the Time to Declutter (And How to Get Started)

Spring is finally upon us. And for many of us this time of year, our focus naturally turns toward the state of our homes. 

We open wide windows and begin reviving our living spaces after the dormancy of winter. Dust is cleared, lingering crumbs are eliminated, and (in my case at least) newly discovered three-year-old art is scrubbed off the wall beneath the craft table.

A thorough Spring cleaning leaves us feeling renewed, reset, and ready to start afresh.

While this is a valuable practice, the real benefit comes from looking beyond that dusty ceiling fan and those random scuffs on the living room wall. 

Your greatest return on your Spring cleaning efforts comes when you confront your clutter, de-owning possessions that, this season, no longer serve you.

While evaluating your stuff, you might be tempted to buy more cute storage containers and decorative bins—pause for a moment. 

The reason why you’re embracing Spring cleaning is because you want your home to be organized and beautiful. 

But how much time do you want to spend keeping it this way? Every new bin that enters your home (and its future contents) has a claim on your life. The more you own, the more you have to clean, to maintain, to pick up, to put away, to find when lost, and to worry about.

Let that sink in for a minute.

It’s no wonder Joshua Fields Millburn said, “What you own ends up owning you.”

In my experience, when you own less, you get your life back. Living an uncluttered, minimalist lifestyle leads to less stress and more time, energy, and attention to focus on the things that matter most. 

So why is now the time to declutter? 

You could say it’s because Spring cleaning has shifted our attention toward our homes. Or that protracted amounts of at-home time during the pandemic have forced us to confront our stuff. But I’d say it goes deeper than that. 

The reason now is the time to declutter is because now is all we have. Someday doesn’t exist. We’re only promised today—our only guaranteed opportunity to make the most of the one life we’ve been given is now. 

Any time and energy we invest into decluttering now equals more time and energy in any future days we’re given. If we want to journey through life in a lighter, freer, more intentional way, then living with less stuff is the catalyst.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose a high-traffic area of your home

Decluttering a home is a process. Start in an area that feels doable and is most lived in (like the living room or kitchen instead of the garage or basement). The calm and ease that accompany a frequently visited, uncluttered space will motivate you to declutter other areas of your home. Momentum builds on momentum. As you build up your decluttering muscle, soon areas that felt overwhelming to declutter (like sentimental objects boxed away in the basement) won’t feel as challenging.

2. Visualize the area you plan to declutter

When it comes to decluttering, our biggest obstacle can often be… ourselves. Visualizing before decluttering gets our subconscious on board. Imagine yourself decluttering your chosen area from start to finish, believing you can transform it into an uncluttered space. See the “before and after” images of the room. Imagine yourself facing overwhelm during the process and overcoming it. Imagine yourself tempted to entertain a distraction while working and deciding to stay on task instead. When you actually begin decluttering, your subconscious will work in your favor by guiding your mindset and actions. You will live out what you’ve visualized. 

3. Hold each item and make a decision

Jump into the decluttering process by handling every item in the room. Joshua Becker said “When you hold an item in your hand, you are forced to make a decision about it. Every item you touch can either be relocated, removed, or returned.” If you really can’t decide, keep moving by boxing the item up for a couple months. It will become much easier to part with after you’ve realized you haven’t missed it.

4. Ask questions 

Facilitate your decision making by asking questions. Ask yourself: 

Do I need this item or could it be used for a greater good?

Could something else I already own serve the same purpose as this item?

Is this item grabbing onto my heart and, if yes, why does it have a hold?

5. Let go 

Once you’ve got a pile of possessions to remove from your home, decide what you’ll do with them. I’ve found that large items like furniture or musical instruments will sell online, but it’s best to donate anything else. Local Buy Nothing groups are great places to give items away if you’re wanting to know who receives your possessions. Keep this part of the process as simple as you can. The goal is to spend your time decluttering your living space, not deciding where your stuff should go. 

6. Capitalize on momentum 

I can’t repeat it enough that momentum builds on momentum. Once you begin, your actions affirm your capability—you can meet your clutter-free goals. You’ll carry this mindset into all areas of your home, increasing the probability that you’ll take action to declutter them. 

The benefits of living in an uncluttered home with less stuff extend beyond yourself. You benefit by living with less stress, more time, and more energy. Organizing, cleaning, and implementing systems in your home becomes notably easier. Others benefit by receiving needed items that no longer serve you.

While living clutter-free is a journey, the most important thing you can do is just get started. 

And the time to start is now.

What can you do today to begin?

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City apartment home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, and 8-month-old son. You can also find her on Instagram.

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I want to help you design a simple, intentional life! I’ve created a 30-day course that will guide and inspire you to declutter your home, heart and schedule, and live focused on what matters. Learn more HERE.