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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  • • Identify focus areas for growth
  • • Discover activities for improvement
  • • Track and reflect on progress
  • • Adjust your wellness routine

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  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Determine how much time you want to give to this activity.

  3. Consider what areas you want to declutter.

  4. Get dressed for the job and get to it!

  5. When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Need a hand getting started? Our app is packed with beginner-friendly Practice Instructions for every activity—and way more where that came from. Hit the button up top and get moving.

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

Real people's experiences

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2 experiences

Starting to declutter? Read this first

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!"

Try decluttering (mindful) today
  • • Identify focus areas for growth
  • • Discover activities for improvement
  • • Track and reflect on progress
  • • Adjust your wellness routine

What you need to know about decluttering

Wondering whether you should start on your own, or 1:1 with a teacher? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.

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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

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

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

Decluttering as a therapeutic practice can be traced back to traditional Japanese philosophies like Zen and Wabi-sabi.

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

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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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