How to Declutter Like a Minimalist: A Gentle Guide to Letting Go
by Gideon Hest
Have you ever stood in the middle of your living room, surrounded by things you barely use, feeling that subtle weight in your chest? It’s almost like the clutter isn’t just in the room; it’s in your head too. That’s where minimalism comes in. But let’s be honest, it’s not just about tossing stuff into donation bags. There’s something deeper going on—something that has more to do with how we feel than what we own.
Minimalism, at its core, is about creating space—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But here’s the thing: it’s not about owning as little as possible. It’s about making room for what matters. And to get there, we first have to let go of the things that don’t.
Step 1: Shift Your Mindset from “Less” to “Enough”
A lot of people think that minimalism means stripping everything down until you’re left with a blank slate, but that’s not quite right. Minimalism is about enough. It’s about keeping the things that serve you, whether it’s functionally or emotionally, and letting go of the rest.
Here’s a question I like to ask myself when I’m on the fence about keeping something: “Does this add value to my life, or am I holding onto it out of habit?” Nine times out of ten, the answer reveals more about my emotional attachment than the object itself. And I’ve noticed that it’s not the stuff that’s hard to let go of—it’s the stories I’ve tied to it.
Ask yourself if it’s useful or beautiful: These are two simple criteria to begin with. If an item serves a real purpose or brings genuine joy, it’s worth keeping. If it doesn’t do either, it’s just taking up space.
Recognize sentimental attachments: It’s easy to keep things because they remind us of a certain time or person, but the memories won’t disappear with the item. Sometimes, letting go is about realizing that the memory lives within us, not in a physical object.
Focus on what you actually use: Have you ever noticed how you keep wearing the same five shirts even though your closet is full? Minimalism starts with acknowledging what you really use and gently parting with the rest.
It seems like minimalism has this uncanny way of making you ask deeper questions about your life—about what you value and why. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely eye-opening.
Step 2: Start Small—Seriously, Start Small
If you’re anything like me, the thought of decluttering an entire house feels… overwhelming. So, instead of trying to tackle everything at once, I like to focus on one tiny area at a time. Maybe it’s a drawer, a shelf, or even just your wallet. Pick something small and manageable. That little win will motivate you to keep going.
When I first started decluttering, I made the mistake of thinking I had to do it all in one go. It didn’t take long before I burned out. Now, I start with one spot, like a single drawer, and really think about the items in it. That might sound a bit tedious, but trust me—it works.
The “One Drawer” rule: Open a drawer, empty it, and go item by item. Is there anything in there you forgot you had? Anything broken or unused? This small act can give you a surprising sense of accomplishment.
Schedule it in short bursts: Give yourself a set amount of time—say, 15 minutes—and focus on decluttering one small area. When the timer’s up, you stop. This prevents overwhelm and makes the process feel more doable.
Create a “Maybe” box: For those items you’re unsure about, place them in a box and store it out of sight. If you haven’t missed them in a few months, you’ll probably feel better about letting them go.
Starting small helps to build momentum, and the more you declutter, the easier it gets. You’ll start to see your space clearing up, and with it, you’ll notice a bit more room to breathe.
Step 3: Be Intentional About What Comes In
Minimalism isn’t just about getting rid of things—it’s about preventing clutter from sneaking back into your life. If we don’t address how we accumulate stuff in the first place, we’re just going to end up decluttering again and again.
For me, it used to be books. I love reading, but I got into this habit of buying books faster than I could read them. Suddenly, I had shelves of unread novels, each one a little reminder of my “someday” plans. I had to ask myself: “Am I buying this because I need it, or because it fills some temporary gap?” Turns out, a lot of my stuff was just filling gaps.
Adopt a “one in, one out” rule: For every new item you bring into your home, commit to letting go of something else. This keeps things balanced and forces you to be more mindful of what’s really necessary.
Wait before buying: If you feel the urge to buy something, give yourself 24 to 48 hours. More often than not, that impulse will fade, and you’ll realize you didn’t really need it in the first place.
Focus on experiences over things: Sometimes, we fill our homes with stuff because we think it’ll make us happy, but I’ve noticed that it’s the experiences I remember, not the objects.
Step 4: Let Go of Perfectionism
One of the biggest myths about minimalism is that it’s about achieving this perfect, clutter-free life. You know, the kind where every surface is spotless, and everything you own fits into a tiny suitcase. But minimalism isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention.
I’ve fallen into this trap more times than I’d like to admit. There’s this unspoken pressure to have it all figured out—to create the “perfect” minimalist space. But the reality is, my home is still lived-in. There are still days when the kitchen counter collects random mail, or when my closet gets a little messy. And that’s okay.
Give yourself grace: Minimalism is a practice, not a destination. It’s normal for clutter to creep back in from time to time. Instead of feeling frustrated, view it as a reminder to pause and reassess what’s important to you.
Embrace imperfection: It’s okay if your home doesn’t look like a Pinterest-worthy minimalist paradise. What matters is that your space works for you and brings you a sense of peace.
Minimalism looks different for everyone: For some, it’s a house with minimal furniture and clean lines. For others, it’s a cozy, lived-in space with just enough of what they need. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.
I used to think minimalism meant stark white walls and owning no more than 100 items. But I’ve come to realize it’s far more personal than that. It’s about finding what feels right for you, not meeting some external standard. Your version of minimalism might include a shelf full of art supplies or a wardrobe of carefully chosen outfits. And that’s perfectly fine.
Step 5: Reflect on Your Emotional Clutter
If you’ve ever tried decluttering, you probably noticed something interesting: it’s not just about the stuff. There’s emotional baggage tied to a lot of the things we own—gifts from old relationships, clothes that no longer fit but remind us of who we used to be, or items we’ve kept out of guilt.
I remember going through a box of old notebooks, the ones I kept from college. They were filled with lecture notes and ideas I thought I’d come back to “someday.” But you know what? I never did. Those notebooks weren’t serving me anymore, yet I held onto them because they represented some past version of myself that I was reluctant to let go of.
Identify emotional triggers: As you declutter, pay attention to any emotional resistance you feel. Are you keeping something because you truly love it, or because it reminds you of a person or time in your life? Letting go of these things doesn’t mean letting go of the memories.
Give yourself permission to release the past: We often hold onto things because we feel like we’re holding onto a part of ourselves. But the truth is, we’re allowed to evolve. You don’t have to keep something just because it once meant something to you.
Be mindful of guilt: Guilt is a big reason we keep things. Gifts we don’t like but feel obligated to keep, or expensive purchases we regret but can’t part with. Letting go of these items is a way of freeing ourselves from that emotional burden.
It seems like decluttering, in its own quiet way, brings up a lot of questions about how we see ourselves and our past. It’s not just about cleaning out a closet—it’s about clearing space in our minds and hearts too.
Step 6: Celebrate Your Progress
Decluttering is a process, and every step forward is worth celebrating. It’s easy to focus on what’s left to do or feel like you haven’t done “enough,” but progress is progress, no matter how small.
I remember when I first started, it felt like I wasn’t making a dent. I’d spend hours going through my things, and the space still felt cluttered. But slowly, over time, I noticed the shift. My home started feeling lighter. And with that, my mind did too. It didn’t happen overnight, but looking back, each little step was a step toward something bigger.
Acknowledge the wins, big and small: Whether it’s decluttering a whole room or just clearing out one drawer, give yourself credit. You’re moving in the right direction.
Reassess as you go: Minimalism isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process. As your life changes, your needs will too. It’s okay to revisit areas and declutter again as necessary.
Enjoy the freedom: One of the best things about decluttering is the sense of lightness it brings. Less stuff means less to clean, less to manage, and more time and energy for the things that really matter.
I’ve noticed that when my space is clear, my mind feels clearer too. It’s like there’s room to breathe again. And that’s what minimalism is all about—creating space for what matters most, whatever that looks like for you.