My Decluttering Journey: Overwhelmed to Free
There was a time when I thought we had outgrown our home. Every closet was bursting, every surface covered, and I felt like I was constantly moving things from one place to another, never actually solving the problem. Every time I walked in the door, I felt an instant wave of stress. It wasn’t just the mess—it was the weight of too much. Too many decisions, too many things, too much noise in my space and in my mind.
Then, one day, I had a realization: We weren’t outgrowing our home. We were drowning in stuff.
And that’s when everything changed.
The Moment Everything Shifted: A Pause in Our Home Build
In 2022, we purchased land with the intention of starting our home build in 2023. For so long, I kept telling myself, this will get better when we have the new house. I thought better storage, better solutions, and more space would magically fix the overwhelm I was feeling.
But then we made the decision to hold off on building (Read more about why we haven’t broken ground yet). And my first thought was: Well, shit. What am I going to do now? I’ll tell you – the first thing I did was rip some doors off a closet to turn it into a pantry – read about our pantry transformation here.
The second thing I did was took action. I’m a firm believer that the only way out is through. So instead of waiting for a future home to solve my problems, I took a good hard look at my current reality. I saw the things I was constantly moving but never using, the clutter that didn’t even reflect who I was anymore. I realized the solution wasn’t a bigger house—it was less stuff.
The Link Between Clutter and Mental Well-being
I never fully understood the connection between clutter and mental health until I started paying attention. The constant piles, the never-ending cycle of cleaning, the decision fatigue—it was exhausting. Clutter wasn’t just taking up space in my home; it was taking up space in my mind.
I was always tidying, always sorting, always deciding what to do with things I didn’t even like anymore. The overwhelm was suffocating, and I knew something had to change.
Studies show that a cluttered environment can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even sleep disturbances. When we live in chaos, our minds struggle to find rest. I realized that my cluttered space was affecting my ability to focus, my mood, and my overall well-being. Once I started making changes, the mental clarity I gained was just as impactful as the extra physical space I created.
Rediscovering Myself Through Decluttering
This journey wasn’t just about getting rid of things—it was about letting go of who I used to be.
Becoming a mom changed me in ways I never expected. The things I once loved no longer felt like me. My home was filled with items that belonged to a version of myself that no longer existed, and it was time to let them go.
Decluttering became a process of rediscovery. With each item I donated or threw away, I felt lighter. I was no longer holding onto things out of guilt or nostalgia. I was making room for the person I had become.
Beyond that, decluttering helped me realign my priorities. I started questioning why I had held onto certain things in the first place. Was it because of societal pressure? Sentimentality? Fear of waste? Through the process, I realized that I wanted my home to be a space that reflected who I was now—not who I was ten years ago.
The Turning Point: Taking Action
I knew I had to start somewhere, so I gave myself permission to start small. I wasn’t going to tackle my entire house in one weekend, but I could clean out a drawer. I could clear off the kitchen counter. I could commit to making decisions instead of just moving things around.
Here’s how I made real progress:
1. Start Small & Build Momentum
Instead of setting out to declutter my entire home in one go, I focused on one area at a time. A single drawer. A single closet. A single shelf. With each small victory, I felt motivated to keep going.
2. Ask the Right Questions
When deciding what to keep, I stopped asking “Could I use this?” and started asking “Do I actually use this?” If it wasn’t something I loved, used, or needed, it was time to let it go.
3. Let Go of Guilt
I used to hold onto things because they were gifts, or because I had spent money on them, or because I thought I should keep them. But guilt is not a good enough reason to keep things that don’t serve me. Letting go became easier when I reminded myself that an item’s purpose was fulfilled the moment I enjoyed it—whether I kept it or not.
4. Declutter by Category, Not Room
Instead of tackling one room at a time, I started decluttering by category. All the clothes. All the kitchen gadgets. All the books. This method helped me see how much I truly had and made it easier to let go of duplicates or unnecessary items. I actually created a 12 days of decluttering challenge for myself over on Instagram, where I had a few friends join me. Here’s a list of the categories we tackled to build momentum:
5. Create a “Maybe” Box
For items I was unsure about, I placed them in a box and set them aside for a few months. If I didn’t reach for them, I knew I could let them go without regret.
Maintaining a Clutter-Free Space
Once I started decluttering, I knew I didn’t want to end up back where I started. Here’s how I’ve kept my space from filling back up:
Becoming Intentional with What Comes In
I’ve always been mindful about my purchases. Before buying something new, I ask myself: Do I actually need this? Will it add value to my life? But, I started being more mindful about what I bring into my home. This shift in mindset has prevented clutter from creeping back in.
Creating Systems That Work
I set up systems to keep things organized. A designated spot for everything. A donation bin always at the ready. A routine for going through mail and paperwork so it doesn’t pile up.
Shifting How We Receive Gifts
One of the biggest changes we made was how we approached gift-giving. We shared our decluttering journey with our family and started asking for gift cards, experiences, or practical items instead of physical gifts not only for us, but also our kids. We also started waiting for things we truly wanted, adding them to a Christmas or birthday list instead of buying impulsively. This simple shift has made a huge difference in preventing clutter from creeping back in because if we’re willing to wait for it for months, we’re being intentional about bringing it in.
Prioritizing Simplicity
Instead of constantly managing stuff, I now prioritize a home that feels calm, simple, and functional. The systems we’ve put in place are working, allowing us to keep things tidy on a regular basis. An evening reset generally takes less than 20 minutes. Less time cleaning up means more time actually enjoying life.
How Decluttering Changed Everything
This journey has been about so much more than just getting rid of things. It’s been about reclaiming mental space, emotional energy, and a home that feels like home again.
I no longer feel instant stress when I walk in the door. Instead, I feel peace. My home isn’t perfect, but it’s no longer overflowing with things that don’t serve me. And the best part? I feel like myself again.
Are you on a decluttering journey too? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!