Two Soul Shifts to Help You Let Go of Clutter

A question I’m often asked goes like this: Why do you think it’s so hard for people to let go of their clutter?

It’s a question I’m consistently quick to validate. 

Letting go isn’t easy. If it was, the plethora of “how-to” books, courses, blogs and podcasts on the subject would be nonexistent. 

For most of us, letting go isn’t second nature. In fact, 54% of Americans are overwhelmed by the amount of clutter they have, but 78% have no idea how to let go of it.

We desire a simple life, but achieving it can be anything but simple. 

When answering questions about roadblocks to letting go, my default answer includes cognitive biases (like the mere-exposure effect, status quo bias, and endowment effect) and emotional biases (fear, guilt). Read about these in-depth here. 

But I think the best answer lies in where the biases begin: the stories we tell ourselves at a soul level. 

When become aware of these soul-level roadblocks, we can uproot them and finally let go.

Here are two soul shifts that will help you let go of your clutter:

1. Stop making clutter moral 

So often, without realizing it, we make clutter moral. We decide that if clutter is not good, (it can increase stress, anxiety, and reduce focus) then it must be bad.

But stuff isn’t good or bad. Stuff is just stuff.

Which means, a cluttered space isn’t bad or good. It’s simply cluttered or uncluttered. 

When we assign a moral label to our stuff, suddenly it has power over us. It begins to shape our self-talk, which influences how we’re feeling (often about ourselves). And since feelings drive action, if we start feeling bad when clutter is in eyesight, then we’re much more likely to go eat chocolate than declutter.

The needed soul shift?

Neutralize the negative charge you’re allowing clutter to carry. Tell yourself a different story about your clutter.

So often, it’s the stories we tell ourselves about our stuff that keep us from letting go of it.

Here’s an example of how this works…

Say you scan your cluttered closet and see an unfinished craft project, seven books you’re halfway through, new cleaning supplies you’ve not yet used, and a ziplock bag full of vintage jewelry you sometimes impulsively collect. 

If you’re making clutter moral, then your narrative upon opening the closet could sound like this:

“Look at all this stuff. I’m so unorganized and impulsive. I can’t finish a project; I’m a procrastinator and always will be. I’m embarrassed my closet looks this bad.” 

Enter the chocolate eating.

If you scan the same closet objectively, having neutralized the clutter, your self-talk story simply says:

“I see craft supplies, seven books, cleaning supplies, and vintage jewelry.”

It’s all just stuff.

Which inner narrative leads to letting go? The one that saw clutter as clutter instead of a moral dilemma. 

It’s okay to have clutter—it’s just stuff. It’s even okay to label yourself—it’s just not true or at all productive. Plus If you’re feeling ready to let it go and live lighter, then those labels aren’t who you are anymore, anyway. 

You have the power to let your clutter define you or to let it go. 

2. Realize your self-worth is not linked to your stuff 

While believing we are not enough can stem from many sources, it’s fueled by negative inner narratives. Labels like “not organized enough,” “always procrastinate,” “collect too much,” can cause shame and belittle your self-worth. 

Soon the message looming in your subconscious says: “See, here is what’s wrong with me. I’m not worthy of living in an uncluttered home.” And if you believe you’re not worthy of living in an uncluttered home, then you likely won’t. 

Letting your clutter dictate your worth paralyzes you from letting it go. 

(Sidenote, you can have an immaculately clutter-free home and still have low self-worth. In this case, you may believe you are unworthy of rest.)

But here’s the good news: no matter how much you may collect or procrastinate, there’s nothing wrong with you. There never has been. You’re human, which means you have off-the-charts self-worth, and are worthy of living an abundant life. 

Give up the lie that your self-worth is based on anything external.

Your self-worth is not related to the amount of clutter piled around your home, your purchasing behavior, or how many items you’ve collected.

Once you begin believing you are enough and are worthy of an uncluttered home, letting go becomes easier. 

Embracing soul shifts

To embrace these soul shifts and finally let go, start here.

Choose an area of your home you want to declutter, but have been putting off doing the work. 

Now, ask yourself, what inner narrative have I been telling myself about this clutter? What do I believe about myself when I see this clutter?

Take a few breaths and see what comes up for you. Journal it out if you want. 

Now, tell yourself a different story about your clutter. Speak truth into your inner narratives that are keeping you from letting go. 

You could use the lines above as aspirations/truth statements. 

Stuff isn’t good or bad. Stuff is just stuff.

My worth is based on the internal. I am worthy of living in an uncluttered home.

If you want to let go of clutter, but are hitting roadblocks, try silencing the disempowering stories about your stuff. 

Let’s stop moralizing clutter. Let’s stop believing any clutter-related lies laced with unworthiness. 

You’ll live so much lighter when you’re finally free to let go. 

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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 also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, three-year-old son, and baby girl. You can also find her on Instagram.

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