Habits to Keep Clutter Away: A Minimalist’s Guide to a Simpler Life

Have you ever noticed how clutter creeps back in, even after a deep clean? One day your desk is pristine, and the next it’s buried under papers, coffee mugs, and random pens that don’t even work. And it’s not just physical clutter, is it? Mental clutter—unfinished to-dos, unanswered emails, those nagging little thoughts—tends to pile up just the same.

I’ve been there. I used to think decluttering was a one-time thing—a big Saturday project where you sort through the junk drawer, donate a few bags to Goodwill, and call it done. But here’s the truth I learned: decluttering is never "done." It’s more about building habits that keep clutter from building up in the first place. That’s where minimalism comes in—not as a quick fix, but as a lifestyle shift, a mindset change.

So how do you keep clutter away? It starts with the right habits.

Why Clutter Always Seems to Return

Before we get into the habits, let’s talk about why clutter keeps coming back. I think a lot of us—myself included—fall into the trap of thinking that once we organize our space, it’ll magically stay that way. But it’s kind of like thinking you can eat one salad and be healthy forever. Clutter happens when we’re not paying attention, when we let things slip because life gets busy.

What I’ve noticed is that clutter, both physical and mental, is often a sign of something else going on beneath the surface—stress, indecision, or just plain avoidance. It’s easier to keep the clothes we don’t wear, or the papers we don’t need, than to deal with the emotional weight behind why we’re holding on in the first place. And that’s where creating intentional habits comes in.

Habit 1: The One In, One Out Rule

This might sound simple, but it’s powerful. For every new item you bring into your space, something else has to go. It forces you to be intentional about what you’re adding to your life.

• Bought a new sweater? Donate or sell one you haven’t worn in a while.
• Got a new kitchen gadget? Maybe it’s time to let go of that garlic press you haven’t touched in years.

I like this habit because it’s not about deprivation; it’s about balance. You’re still able to enjoy new things, but without letting them pile up. It also makes you think twice before bringing something new into your space. Do you really need that extra coffee mug? Will it add value to your life, or is it just filling a temporary need?

I’ve found that when I practice this consistently, it feels like a little mental shift, like I’m in control of what enters my space. It’s kind of like opening a window and letting in fresh air—only the good stuff gets to stay.

Habit 2: Regular Decluttering Sessions

Here’s the thing: no matter how careful you are, clutter still has a way of sneaking in. That’s why I’ve made regular decluttering a habit. Not a big, overwhelming event—just something I do in small bursts. Maybe it’s every Sunday, I’ll take 10 minutes to go through a drawer or clear off a surface.

It seems like the key here isn’t about perfection, but consistency. I’ve noticed that when I make decluttering part of my routine, it doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s just a natural part of maintaining my space, kind of like brushing my teeth.

You could start with something like a “Sunday Reset”—a quick check-in with your space where you clear out anything that’s overstayed its welcome. But the important thing is to make it a habit. It’s not about creating the “perfect” minimalist home (is there even such a thing?), but about creating a space that feels intentional and calm.

Habit 3: Mindful Consumption

We live in a world that’s always telling us we need more. More gadgets, more clothes, more everything. But the truth is, more stuff rarely leads to more happiness. That’s why practicing mindful consumption is such a game-changer when it comes to keeping clutter away.

Mindful consumption means being thoughtful about what we buy, why we buy it, and whether it really aligns with our values. It’s about asking yourself questions like:

• Do I need this, or am I buying it because I’m bored or stressed?
• Does this item add value to my life, or will it just end up as clutter in a month?
• Am I buying this because it’s on sale, or because it serves a purpose?

I’ve started paying more attention to my own buying habits. Sometimes I catch myself putting something in my cart online and realizing I don’t even want it—I just got swept up in the moment. Taking a pause, even for a minute, can help you avoid accumulating things you don’t really need.

It’s not about never buying anything or being restrictive. It’s about being mindful. And that mindfulness is what keeps the clutter from creeping back in.

Habit 4: Create Homes for Everything

Ever notice how clutter tends to build up in the same spots—like that one chair in your bedroom where clothes just seem to pile up? That’s because those items don’t have a “home.” One of the best habits you can develop is giving every item in your space a designated place.

• Create a spot for your keys so they don’t end up scattered around the house.
• Have a drawer for mail, so it doesn’t collect on the counter.
• Set up a space for your electronics, so your chargers don’t get tangled in a mess of cords.

When everything has a home, it’s easier to keep things tidy. And more importantly, it keeps the mental clutter at bay. You know exactly where things go, so there’s less decision fatigue about what to do with them.

Habit 5: The “10-Minute Tidy”

Sometimes, we avoid tidying up because it feels overwhelming—like there’s just too much to tackle in one sitting. But here’s a trick that’s worked for me: the “10-minute tidy.” It’s as simple as it sounds. Set a timer for 10 minutes and pick a small area to focus on. Maybe it’s your desk, your kitchen counter, or even the living room. The idea isn’t to deep clean or make everything perfect—it’s just to tidy up a bit.

What I love about this habit is that it breaks down the process of staying organized into something manageable. You don’t have to wait for the weekend or block off hours of your time. I’ve noticed that even on my busiest days, I can find 10 minutes to reset my space. And once that timer goes off, I’m usually surprised at how much I’ve been able to accomplish. It’s a small investment of time for a big mental payoff.

When clutter is in check, everything feels a little lighter, and it’s easier to focus on what really matters. This tiny habit helps me keep the chaos at bay without the pressure of having to do it all at once.

Habit 6: Let Go of “Just in Case” Items

I used to hold onto so many things "just in case." You know what I’m talking about—those extra cables, old textbooks, or that outfit you haven’t worn in years but might need for a “special occasion” (that never seems to come). For a long time, I thought holding onto these things gave me a sense of security. It felt like I was prepared for anything life could throw at me.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to realize: most of those “just in case” items only end up collecting dust. They’re cluttering up physical space—and, more importantly, mental space. Every time I saw that drawer full of old, unused stuff, it was like a little reminder of all the things I was holding onto out of fear.

Once I started letting go of those “just in case” items, I found that I didn’t miss them. I could always find a solution if I truly needed something, but most of the time, I didn’t. It was freeing to realize that I didn’t need to be prepared for every hypothetical situation. I could trust that I’d figure it out if the time came.

This habit of letting go creates more than just physical space—it makes room for clarity and peace of mind. I think a lot of us are holding onto more than we need, and not just with stuff. We do it with ideas, old beliefs, and even relationships that aren’t serving us anymore. Letting go, it seems, is a practice in every area of life.

Habit 7: Don’t Strive for Perfection

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned on my minimalism journey is that perfection isn’t the goal. I used to think that once I decluttered everything, my space—and my mind—would stay perfectly clear, like some kind of minimalist Instagram post. But life isn’t static. Things ebb and flow, and so does clutter. Sometimes my kitchen counter gets messy, or my desk gets covered in papers, and that’s okay.

What I’ve come to understand is that minimalism isn’t about having a perfectly tidy home all the time—it’s about creating systems that work for you, so the clutter doesn’t take over. When I let go of the need for perfection, I also let go of a lot of unnecessary stress. Now, I can look at my space and appreciate it for what it is: lived-in, but intentional.

There’s a balance between being mindful of clutter and being too hard on yourself when things slip. After all, the point of minimalism is to make life easier, not more stressful. I try to remind myself that a little mess isn’t a failure; it’s just part of the process.

Habit 8: Reflect and Adjust Regularly

Minimalism, like anything else, evolves. What worked for me a year ago might not work today, and that’s why I think it’s important to reflect on your habits regularly. Maybe you notice that a certain area of your home is constantly getting cluttered—like your entryway or kitchen table. Instead of getting frustrated, take it as a sign that something in your system needs adjusting.

Sometimes, I’ll pause and ask myself: “Is there something I can do to make this space more functional? What’s not working here?” Often, the answer is a small tweak—adding a basket for shoes by the door or clearing a spot for my mail. By staying flexible and willing to adjust, I keep clutter from building up again.

This habit of reflection doesn’t just apply to physical clutter, either. I’ve found it useful to reflect on my mental and emotional clutter, too. Am I holding onto stress or worries that aren’t serving me? Is there something in my routine that’s adding unnecessary overwhelm? Regularly checking in with myself helps me stay grounded and aligned with the things that really matter.

Bonus Habit: Embrace Impermanence

At the heart of all these habits is a deeper realization about impermanence. Clutter builds up because we tend to think of things—both objects and thoughts—as permanent fixtures in our lives. But nothing is really permanent, is it? Our needs change, our tastes evolve, and the things we once thought were essential become less so over time.

By embracing the idea that everything is temporary—whether it’s the sweater we once loved or the stress we’re feeling today—we can start to let go of the need to hold onto things too tightly. And that’s where the real freedom lies. Minimalism, for me, isn’t about living with as little as possible; it’s about learning to live with what truly matters—and knowing that even those things may shift.