A Step-by-Step Minimalist Decluttering Guide for a Calmer, Clutter-Free Life

April 15, 2022 by Gideon Hest

I remember standing in my living room, surrounded by things I hadn’t thought about in years. Shelves full of souvenirs, stacks of old notebooks, random knick-knacks. It wasn’t until I tripped over a box of shoes that I never wore, that I stopped and thought, Why am I keeping all of this?

It wasn’t about the stuff. It was about the weight that stuff carried. That box of shoes represented some version of myself I thought I was supposed to become. And the notebooks? Half-filled thoughts and plans that never made it beyond a page. When I started decluttering, it became less about organizing things and more about organizing my life.

Maybe you’ve felt this too? That moment when your physical clutter begins to reflect the mental noise in your head. It’s all connected. And that’s where minimalism comes in. Not as a rigid set of rules, but as a way of stripping back everything to what matters most.

Step 1: Defining Your Why

Before you even open a closet or sift through a junk drawer, start with a question: Why do I want to declutter? Without a clear reason, it’s easy to get stuck halfway through, lost in the nostalgia of old birthday cards or overwhelmed by the sheer number of “what if I need this?” thoughts.

Maybe you’re looking for more mental clarity, or maybe you just want to stop feeling buried under stuff. Either way, defining your “why” is key.

A few things to think about:

Mental clarity: Do you feel anxious or overwhelmed in cluttered spaces?
Freedom from expectations: Are you holding onto items because you think you should?
Simplifying decision-making: Fewer items often mean fewer decisions, especially when it comes to daily routines like picking an outfit or prepping meals.

When I started asking myself why I held onto certain things, I noticed that a lot of it came down to fear. Fear that I’d need it later, or that I’d regret letting it go. But here’s the thing—most of the time, we don’t miss what we let go of.

Step 2: Starting Small—The Power of Tiny Wins

Have you ever stood in front of a messy garage or closet and just felt frozen? Like, the thought of starting was too overwhelming to even consider? It’s easy to feel that way when we’re staring at a mountain of things that need sorting. But here’s a tip: Start small.

I’ve noticed that when I focus on just one tiny area—a drawer, a single shelf—it’s like a chain reaction. The more I clear, the more energy I have to keep going. Small wins give momentum.

Here are some easy places to begin:

The junk drawer: You know, that drawer where old receipts, pens, and random paperclips go to die. Decluttering this can be strangely satisfying.
Your bag or backpack: It’s like a little microcosm of your daily life. Clearing out the unnecessary stuff here can set a tone for the rest of your day.
Digital clutter: We often forget that our phones and computers can be just as cluttered as our homes. Try deleting apps you never use or clearing out old files.

Step 3: The Emotional Side of Letting Go

Let’s be real—it’s not always easy to let go of things, especially if they carry emotional weight. That tattered sweatshirt from college, the set of dishes your grandma passed down. These aren’t just objects; they’re stories.

But here’s a thought: Are these items serving you now? Or are they just holding space for memories? Sometimes we confuse keeping things with keeping the memory alive. But the memories? They’re already in us. The items are just… items.

When I started going through my own stuff, I found myself hesitating over certain things, asking, “Will I forget if I let this go?” But I’ve come to realize that holding on to a memory doesn’t require keeping every physical piece of it. There’s freedom in knowing that memories can live in your mind, not your space.

Step 4: Create Boundaries for New Things

Once you’ve started the decluttering process, it’s easy to fall into old habits of accumulating again. But minimalism is a mindset, not a one-time event. It’s about being intentional with what we allow into our lives.

Ask yourself:

Do I really need this, or am I just filling a gap? Sometimes we buy things because we’re trying to fill an emotional space, not a physical one.
Does this item serve a purpose, or is it just taking up space? There’s no shame in enjoying a beautiful vase or a cozy blanket, but make sure it’s something you genuinely want or need.

I’ve learned that the fewer decisions I have to make about “stuff,” the more mental space I have for the things that really matter. Like spending time with people I love, or just having room to think clearly.

Step 5: Organizing with Intention, Not Perfection

Here’s the thing about organizing—there’s a difference between organizing to make your space look perfect and organizing to make your life easier. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everything needs to be in perfectly labeled bins, or that minimalism has to look like a magazine spread of clean white surfaces. But perfection? That’s just another form of clutter—mental clutter.

Instead, try focusing on what makes your day-to-day life smoother:

Create “homes” for frequently used items: Where do you naturally drop your keys when you walk in the door? Keep them there, but add a small dish or hook so it’s intentional.
Use open space strategically: Leave room on your shelves and in your drawers. Having space around your things creates a sense of calm, and it’s a visual reminder that you don’t need to fill every nook.
One in, one out: For every new thing that comes into your home, let go of something else. This keeps things from building up over time.

I’ve noticed that when I stop aiming for “perfect” and instead focus on making my space work for me, I actually enjoy the process more. It’s less about impressing anyone and more about creating a space where I can breathe and just be.

Step 6: Decluttering Beyond Stuff—What About Your Calendar?

Minimalism doesn’t stop at your physical belongings. In fact, I think one of the biggest forms of clutter we overlook is our schedule. How often do we say “yes” to things because we feel we have to, not because we really want to? Social events, meetings, commitments—they all pile up like the clothes in your closet that you don’t wear anymore.

Maybe take a minute to look at your calendar. How many of those commitments are things you truly want to do? How many of them could you let go of to create more space for rest or something that really brings you joy?

Some questions to help you rethink your time:

Is this adding value to my life, or is it just filling space? Similar to how we hold on to unnecessary objects, sometimes we fill our schedules with obligations we don’t actually need.
Am I leaving room for downtime? In a culture that rewards productivity, it can feel uncomfortable to leave blank space in your day, but that’s where creativity and calm flourish.
Who are you doing this for—yourself or someone else? It’s okay to say no. Sometimes, letting go of a commitment is a form of decluttering that frees up your mind and energy for the things that really matter.

I’ve found that when I started simplifying my schedule, I was able to enjoy my time more. It’s strange, isn’t it? The less I tried to pack into my day, the more I felt like I had time for everything important.

Step 7: Relationships and Emotional Clutter

It’s easy to focus on the tangible aspects of decluttering—clothes, books, and gadgets. But have you ever thought about the emotional clutter we carry in the form of relationships that no longer serve us? I’ve noticed that minimalism has this ripple effect. As I began to let go of physical clutter, I started to examine the emotional weight I was carrying too.

Ask yourself:

Does this relationship add value to my life? It’s not about cutting people out recklessly, but recognizing that some relationships take more than they give.
Are you holding on out of obligation? Sometimes, we maintain connections because we feel we owe it to someone, or because we’ve known them for so long. But holding on for the sake of the past can prevent us from fully engaging in the present.

Letting go of emotional clutter doesn’t mean shutting people out, but rather setting boundaries that allow you to prioritize the relationships that lift you up, not weigh you down. I’ve had to learn this the hard way. There were people in my life who, though once close, no longer fit the person I was becoming. Letting go of those connections felt like decluttering my mental space, freeing up room for relationships that truly mattered.

Step 8: Living with Less, Gaining More

The beauty of minimalism is that it’s deeply personal. What feels like “enough” to me might not feel like “enough” to you—and that’s perfectly okay. Minimalism isn’t about deprivation or living with the bare minimum; it’s about living with intention. It’s about deciding what’s truly important in your life and creating space for it.

Some things to keep in mind as you explore this journey:

Minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach: It’s about figuring out what matters most to you. For some, that might mean a tidy, sparse space. For others, it might mean holding on to a collection of books or art that bring you joy. There’s no right or wrong way.
It’s a process, not a destination: I’m still on this journey myself. Some days, I catch myself holding on to something unnecessary, whether it’s a physical object or an old mindset. And that’s okay. Minimalism is about continually reassessing what adds value to your life.
You get to define what “enough” looks like: Maybe you want to live out of a backpack, or maybe you want a home filled with a few cherished items. Minimalism isn’t about limiting yourself, it’s about curating your life in a way that feels right to you.