A beginner's guide to: Decluttering (mindful)

organising, simplifying, minimalism, clearing space, downsizing

Mindfully decluttering is about more than just clearing space. It’s a thoughtful process that invites you to slow down, reflect and decide whether to let go, store or keep and use each item.

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Want to get into decluttering (mindful)?

  • • Open our free app for step-by-step support. You’ll get guides that help you start and stick with it. You don’t need to be a pro, just jump in and give it a go.
  • • You’ll also find other activities, with suggestions that match what’s most useful to you right now. Less thinking, more doing.
  • • Track what you do, make gains, and adjust as you go.

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What is mindful decluttering?

Decluttering mindfully goes beyond simply clearing out a closet or tidying a room – it’s an intentional practice that invites you to give full attention to the process. Rather than rushing to get it done, conscious decluttering asks you to slow down, notice your emotions and reflect on the meaning of each item. As you engage with each object, you’ll decide whether to let it go, store it or keep and use it.

This process is not just about creating physical space, but also about bringing emotional clarity. You may feel nostalgia, relief or even anxiety as you declutter. By fully engaging in the process, you create a living space that aligns with your needs and values, making room for what truly matters.

So, are you ready to start decluttering your life and make your space (and your mind) a haven of order and calm?

Let us show you how!

Why decluttering mindfully is good for you

Preliminary findings suggest mindful decluttering lifts mood and sharpens focus. Clearing your space can increase your sense of control, reduce visual distractions and lighten emotional burden.

Sharper concentration

Focus area: Focus (Impact rating: High)

More control

Focus area: Agency (Impact rating: High)

Feel lighter and happier

Focus area: Lightheartedness (Impact rating: High)

Boosted self-esteem

Focus area: Identity & worth (Impact rating: Medium)

Helps to practice emotional noticing

Focus area: Emotional awareness (Impact rating: Medium)

People who love decluttering

Chip and Joanna Gaines

Person

Janelle Cohen

Person

Robert Pattinson

Actor

Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (Netflix)

TV Show

Want a closer look at decluttering (mindful)?

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2 experiences

Ways to try it, what to expect, and how to stay safe. Read on!

You are probably ready to start making your home a clutter free zone. But before you do, there are some important things to keep in mind. Decluttering mindfully is safe for everyone, but these helpful tips will make sure that your first experience is the first of many.

Common styles

Decluttering can be approached in various ways to suit your different needs or preferences. We have explored the most popular methods below so you can choose which approach will suit you best

KonMari method

Minimalist approach

The four-box method

Safety

⚠️

Use proper lifting techniques and maintain a safe environment.

⚠️

Wear gloves, ensure ventilation and take breaks to avoid injuries.

What you might experience

🤔

"Where do I even begin?"

😬

"This is harder than I thought!"

😊

"I’m starting to feel a sense of clarity."

🤷‍♀️

"But what about over there?"

🙂

"I feel lighter and more accomplished!"

Start today
  • • Open our free app for step-by-step support. You’ll get guides that help you start and stick with it. You don’t need to be a pro, just jump in and give it a go.
  • • You’ll also find other activities, with suggestions that match what’s most useful to you right now. Less thinking, more doing.
  • • Track what you do, make gains, and adjust as you go.

Explore your options

Whether you go it alone, join a group, or work 1:1 with a teacher, we’ve laid out what each path can look like.

Compare

Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

Decluttering can reduce allergies by eliminating dust and allergens from the home.

The "Inbox Zero" approach in email management is a digital decluttering method aimed at keeping the inbox empty.

"Out of clutter, find simplicity.” - Albert Einstein

The Tetris effect, where people visualize organizing objects, can be a mental decluttering technique.

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2 facts

Popular memes

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8 memes

Academic research we rate

The “Joy of Letting Go”: Decluttering and Apparel

Eike, R. J., Burton, M., Hustvedt, G., & Cho, S. (2021). The “Joy of Letting Go”: Decluttering and Apparel. Fashion Practice, 14(2), 225–241. https://doi.org/10.1080/17569370.2021.1987654

Decluttering for enhanced workplace performance: The 5S solution

Rizky, Y. A., Khuzaini, K., & Shadiq, S. (2023). Decluttering for enhanced workplace performance: The 5S solution. Jurnal Inovasi Ekonomi, 8(02), 69–82. https://doi.org/10.22219/jiko.v8i02.26916

Spark Joy and Slow Consumption: An Empirical Study of the Impact of the KonMari Method on Acquisition and Wellbeing

Spark Joy and Slow Consumption: An Empirical Study of the Impact of the KonMari Method on Acquisition and Wellbeing. (2021). Journal of Sustainability Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr20210007

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3 research pieces

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