I’ve found that when I’m overwhelmed or have too much on my plate, I can’t come up with fresh ideas if I’m sitting in a cluttered environment. It’s like my brain freezes up. That’s why, every single day—before I sit down to work—I take a few minutes to tidy up. I arrange and organize things just enough so my home feels calm, clear, and supportive. That small ritual resets my mind and makes room for focus and creativity. The truth is, clutter doesn’t just take up physical space—it takes up mental space, too.
Clutter = Mental Load
We’ve all been there—opening that drawer or closet and finding items we haven’t touched in ages, or worse, completely forgot existed. It’s easy to hold onto things “just in case,” or out of sentimentality. But too much stuff doesn’t just crowd our homes—it crowds our minds.
A cluttered space creates mental noise. Every time your eyes scan over unused gadgets, clothes you forgot you owned, or chaotic surfaces, your brain gets a subtle stress signal. Over time, that background tension builds—affecting your mood, sleep, focus, and even decision-making.
And why should we care? Because clutter isn’t just a visual problem—it’s a mental one. According to a study by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families, cluttered homes were found to increase cortisol levels in women, contributing to elevated stress and emotional fatigue. (Read the study summary here.)
Moreover, clutter doesn’t just affect our stress levels—it can also disrupt our sleep. Sleep experts highlight that excess clutter in the bedroom can mentally distract and stress you out, making it harder to relax and fall asleep. They recommend decluttering to create a conducive sleep environment. (Read more here.)
In short, decluttering isn’t just about cleaning out physical space; it’s about clearing mental space, too. A cluttered environment often mirrors a cluttered mind. Holding onto things you don’t need or use only adds to the mental load, increasing feelings of overwhelm and making it harder to focus on what truly matters.
Decluttering as a Mindfulness Practice
Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up. It’s a form of self-care. A quiet, powerful way of saying:
“I’m ready to make space for what truly matters.”
Every item you let go of is a small emotional release—whether it’s guilt from a forgotten purchase, the pressure of “maybe I’ll use it one day,” or pieces of an outdated version of yourself. As your space clears, so does your mind.
Letting go becomes a gentle practice of mindfulness. You slow down, tune in, and remind yourself: less really can be more.
Why We Hold On To Things
It’s natural to hold onto stuff, even if we don’t use it regularly. Sentimental value, the hope of future use, or simply the idea that we “might need it one day” often keeps us from letting go. But clutter adds to mental fatigue. Every time we see something we don’t need, our brain has to process it—and the more we hold onto things, the more mental energy is spent managing them.
The truth is, if you haven’t used an item in a while and forgotten it existed, then it’s doing nothing for you except taking up precious space—both physically and mentally.
Steps to Declutter
1. Start with the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Areas
Let’s face it—we all have those sneaky spots where clutter quietly accumulates, tucked away and forgotten. Whether it’s the back of your closet, the junk drawer, or that mystery “miscellaneous” box, these are the areas we often ignore because they’re out of sight. However, they’re also the easiest places to start decluttering!
🧠 Mindful Tip:
Take a moment to open up these forgotten spaces and ask yourself, “Do I even remember what’s in here?” If you haven’t opened a box or drawer in months (or years), chances are, you don’t need what’s inside. These items might have served a purpose once, but now they’re just taking up space and mental energy. Clear out these areas first to get that instant gratification of an organized space without feeling overwhelmed.
2. The One-Year Rule
When in doubt about whether to keep an item, apply the One-Year Rule. If you haven’t used it in the past 12 months, there’s a strong chance it’s not serving you. This applies to just about everything—clothes, kitchen gadgets, seasonal décor, and even furniture.
🧳 Seasonal Items:
For seasonal items like winter coats, holiday decorations, or special occasion tableware, the rule still holds. If you haven’t pulled that cozy coat out of the closet for the past two winters, or haven’t decorated with those holiday candles in years, you probably won’t need them anytime soon. Let go of what’s no longer useful, and free up space for the things you’ll actually use.
3. Digitize Where Possible
Not all clutter takes up physical space—you’d be surprised how much emotional clutter we hold onto in the form of old documents, photo albums, school notebooks, greeting cards, and even kids’ artwork. These things are meaningful, but that doesn’t mean they all need to live in your drawers or under your bed forever.
Here’s where digitizing can be your best friend. By scanning, photographing, or digitally archiving items, you preserve their memory without keeping their bulk. This is one of the most effective ways to honor the sentiment without holding onto the mess.
✅ What to Digitize:
- Old photos: Use a photo scanner or even your phone (apps like Google PhotoScan work great) to digitize albums.
- Important documents: Scan tax papers, medical records, warranties, and instruction manuals—store them securely in cloud folders like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Evernote.
- Kids’ artwork and schoolwork: Snap a picture of every doodle, painting, or essay. Create a digital scrapbook or slideshow!
- Greeting cards and letters: Scan or photograph the ones that are meaningful, then recycle the rest guilt-free.
- Receipts and bills: Switch to digital receipts and e-bills when possible to avoid paper piles.
Think of it this way: you’re not throwing memories away—you’re modernizing them. And every item you digitize is one less thing to dust, store, or stress about.
4. Create a Donation or Sell Pile
Once you’ve identified items that no longer serve you, don’t just shove them back in the cupboard “just in case.” Instead, take action—either by passing them on to someone who can use them or giving them a second life through resale.
Decluttering doesn’t mean everything goes into the trash. Many of your unused items still have value—either for others or even for you if you sell them smartly. Here’s how to make the most of your clear-out:
- 🛍️ Sell what still has value: Got a lamp that doesn’t match your vibe anymore? Or a barely-used appliance collecting dust? List them on OLX, Quikr, Facebook Marketplace, or even Poshmark (great for fashion finds). You’ll be surprised how quickly someone else will love what you’ve outgrown—and bonus: you earn a little something back.
- 🎁 Donate what can help others: Diwali or New Year is a great time to hit refresh—not just on your home, but on your intentions. Use this season of giving to assess what you haven’t used in the past year. Gently-used clothes, books, utensils, toys, and home goods can make a huge difference in someone else’s life.
Look for NGOs and foundations that accept such items:
- Goonj – clothing, kitchen items, school supplies
- Robin Hood Army – essentials and non-perishable food
- Uday Foundation, GiveIndia, CRY – depending on what you’re donating
Letting Go of Sentimental Clutter (Without the Guilt)
We all have those items—old gifts, clothes, souvenirs—that tug at our emotions. But when everything becomes “too special to toss,” it turns into emotional clutter.
The goal isn’t to ditch every sentimental thing. It’s to keep what truly matters:
- Does this bring me real joy or a meaningful memory?
- Would a photo or journal entry preserve the sentiment just as well?
- Am I keeping this out of love—or guilt?
Letting go of what no longer resonates frees up space for new memories and meaning.
Why Letting Go Feels So Good
Decluttering isn’t just about neat shelves—it’s about mental peace. Here’s why it’s powerful:
- 🧠 Clearer mind: Less stuff = less distraction.
- 😌 Lower stress: Fewer things to manage, clean, and think about.
- ✨ More joy: You make space for things and experiences that actually matter.
- 💪 Confidence boost: That “I did it!” feeling is real and energizing.
Bottom Line: If You Forgot It Exists, You Don’t Need It
Decluttering doesn’t need to be dramatic. Start small. Stay mindful. And remember: if you haven’t used it—or even noticed it—it’s probably not adding value to your life. Let it go, and make space for what does.
