Decluttering Tips for Minimalist Beginners: A Gentle Guide to Letting Go

November 11, 2023 by Gideon Hest

Have you ever looked around your home and wondered how it got so full? Like, really full. Stuff on the countertops, drawers overflowing, and closets packed to the brim? I know I have. There was a time when I thought owning more meant being more. But now, I see how heavy that “more” can feel. If you're just starting your minimalist journey, you might be wondering where to begin. Trust me, it's not about getting rid of everything—it’s about making space for the things that matter.

So, let’s dive into some decluttering tips for beginners—things you can do today to start lightening your load and finding more room to breathe.

Start Small and Go Slowly

I know, it sounds obvious, right? But I’ve noticed that one of the biggest mistakes people make when starting out is thinking they need to tackle their entire home in a weekend. That’s overwhelming. It’s much easier to start small and build momentum.

Pick one small area: Maybe a single drawer, a corner of your bedroom, or your car. The point is to pick something that’s manageable and not emotionally overwhelming.
Set a timer: Decluttering is easier when there’s a limit. Try 10 or 15 minutes. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish in such a short time.
Celebrate progress: Each small win leads to bigger ones. A clear drawer can feel like a deep breath. The more you declutter, the lighter you’ll feel.

Let Go of “Just in Case”

If I had a dollar for every time I kept something “just in case,” I’d probably have a lot more space in my wallet… and my life. Whether it’s a tool you haven’t used in years or an old jacket that never quite fit, holding onto things out of fear that you might need them is a heavy way to live.

Be realistic: How often do you actually use that item? If it’s been over a year, it’s probably safe to let it go.
Think of alternatives: Could you borrow it from a friend if the need arises? Often, we hold onto things because of this nagging fear that we'll be unprepared. But how often does that situation really come up?
Trust yourself: You have what you need. If something essential comes up in the future, you'll figure it out. You always have.

I used to hold onto extra kitchen gadgets because I thought, “What if I need this one day?” But let me tell you, it’s been five years, and I’ve never once missed that avocado slicer. It’s funny how we convince ourselves that stuff makes life easier when, in reality, it often just gets in the way.

Focus on One Category at a Time

Instead of trying to declutter a whole room, which can feel like an impossible mountain to climb, focus on one category of items at a time. This gives you a clear starting point without the overwhelming pressure to "finish" the space all at once.

Clothes: Go through your closet and pick out anything you haven’t worn in a year. Those jeans you thought you’d fit into again? If they’re only serving as a reminder of an ideal that no longer fits your life, it’s time to let them go.
Books: This one’s tough for me. I used to think that owning books made me more thoughtful or intellectual. But the truth is, many of them were just sitting there, collecting dust. If a book doesn’t add value to your life—whether through knowledge or joy—consider passing it along.
Paper clutter: Bills, old receipts, and manuals—why do we keep so much paper around? I’ve found that digitizing important documents or setting up paperless billing cuts down on the mountain of paper that can accumulate so easily.

Keep the Things That Bring You Joy

This might sound a little cliché (thanks to the whole Marie Kondo effect), but there’s something real about surrounding yourself with only the things that bring you joy. Minimalism isn’t about having nothing; it’s about having only what makes you feel good, serves a purpose, or tells a story you actually want to carry.

Ask yourself: Does this item make my life better? Does it make me smile? Sometimes, it’s hard to admit that something no longer serves us. But clearing out what doesn’t fit anymore makes room for new energy.
Sentimental items: This can be the hardest part. I used to keep everything—ticket stubs, old letters, gifts from people I’d lost touch with. But I’ve learned that I don’t need to keep all of those things to hold onto the memories. A few special items, the ones that truly mean something, are enough.

Avoid Perfection

Minimalism isn’t about perfection, and neither is decluttering. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that everything has to look a certain way—the pristine, white-walled minimalism you see in magazines or online. But here’s the thing: minimalism is personal. Your space doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to feel like yours.

Don’t compare: Your version of minimalism might not look like the next person’s, and that’s okay. Whether you have a few cherished collections or a cozy space that feels full of life, it’s all about what makes sense for you.
Progress over perfection: If you make just a little progress every day, that’s enough. Minimalism is a journey, not a destination, and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

As you begin to declutter, you might notice something unexpected—it’s not just your physical space that starts to feel lighter. There’s this shift, almost like the mental clutter we carry around begins to loosen its grip too. At least, that’s what happened for me. I started with clearing out a few boxes of old clothes and books, but what I didn’t expect was the quiet calm that came with it. It’s almost like the physical act of letting go helped me realize how much I’d been holding onto mentally as well.

So, let’s keep going. Here are a few more steps you can take as you deepen your minimalist journey.

Be Honest About Emotional Attachments

One of the trickiest parts of decluttering is dealing with the emotional attachments we have to our stuff. I’ve noticed that a lot of what we hold onto isn’t about the item itself, but the memories or feelings tied to it. It can feel like if we let go of that thing, we’re letting go of a part of ourselves, or a part of our history.

Identify the story: Why are you holding onto that old sweatshirt from high school? Or those shoes you never wear but can’t seem to part with? Often, it’s the story we’ve attached to the item that makes it hard to let go. But does that story still serve you?
Photographs instead of objects: If something is hard to part with because it reminds you of a special time or person, consider taking a photo of it. That way, you still have the memory, but without the physical clutter.
You are not your things: This one’s tough. I used to think that letting go of certain items meant letting go of parts of myself. But I’ve come to realize that who I am has nothing to do with what I own. The memories, the experiences—they stay with me, even if the stuff doesn’t.

Create Clear, Defined Spaces

One of the best things about minimalism is that it gives you space—not just physically, but mentally. But that only works if you have some clear boundaries in place. Think of your home as a series of zones, each with its own purpose. When you assign a purpose to each space, it helps keep clutter from creeping back in.

Your bedroom as a sanctuary: I can’t tell you how much better I sleep when my bedroom is clear of distractions. No work papers, no laundry pile in the corner. Just a place to rest. By keeping this space clean and calm, I’ve noticed my mind feels calmer too.
Define what belongs: It’s easy for things to start blending together. Work projects spread to the kitchen table, mail gets piled on the coffee table, and before you know it, clutter is everywhere. But if you define what belongs in each space, it’s easier to maintain that clarity.
One in, one out: This is a rule I’ve started using more and more. For every new item I bring into my space, I make sure to let something else go. This keeps things in balance and prevents the slow creep of clutter from taking over again.

Learn to Love the Empty Space

At first, the idea of having empty space might feel strange. If you’re like me, there’s a tendency to want to fill every surface, every drawer, every wall with something. It can feel like those empty spaces are gaps that need filling. But what if we started to see them differently? What if those gaps, those blank spaces, were actually a form of freedom?

Less is calming: I’ve noticed that when I leave space on my countertops or keep my walls a bit bare, I feel more relaxed. It’s like having fewer things to look at gives my brain a break.
Let the room breathe: Sometimes, I’ll just sit in a room and appreciate how the air feels when it’s not crammed with stuff. There’s a lightness, like the room can finally take a deep breath.
Space for possibility: Empty space doesn’t mean something is missing. It means there’s room for new possibilities—whether that’s in the form of new experiences, new ideas, or simply a clearer mind.

The Importance of Mindful Consumption

Here’s the thing about decluttering—if we’re not careful, it’s easy to end up in a cycle of getting rid of stuff, only to replace it with more. To truly embrace minimalism, we have to become more mindful about what we bring into our lives in the first place. It’s not just about decluttering—it’s about slowing down the flow of new stuff coming in.

Ask yourself why: Before buying something new, pause and ask yourself why you really want it. Is it something you need, or is it filling some other emotional need? I’ve caught myself buying things as a quick fix for boredom or stress, and it never feels good afterward.
Quality over quantity: Instead of buying more, try focusing on better. Whether it’s clothes, kitchen tools, or even furniture, having fewer, higher-quality items that you truly love will always feel better than a house full of cheap, disposable things.
Take your time: There’s no rush to fill your home with the “perfect” minimalist items. Minimalism isn’t about owning a specific set of things—it’s about choosing what matters to you and letting go of the rest.

Let Decluttering Be a Practice, Not a One-Time Event

Minimalism is a journey. It’s not something you achieve once and then you’re done. It’s more like a practice—something you come back to, again and again. Over time, you’ll find that the more you declutter, the less stuff holds power over you. And the more space you create, the more room there is for the things that truly matter—whatever that looks like for you.

Make it a habit: Set aside regular time for decluttering. It doesn’t have to be a huge event—just a few minutes here and there can make a big difference.
Stay flexible: Your needs will change over time, and so will your relationship with stuff. What feels essential today might not in a year, and that’s okay.
Keep going: Even when it feels like the clutter is creeping back in, don’t get discouraged. Minimalism isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention. And every little step you take toward living with less is progress worth celebrating.