Decluttering is more than organizing. Learn key mindset shifts inspired by Marie Kondo, Joshua Becker, and others to let go, simplify, and create space for what matters most.
Mindset of Less: Finding the Magic in the Mundane
When most people think of decluttering, they imagine bins, labels, or a Saturday afternoon spent “getting organized.” But the truth is, decluttering isn’t just about cleaning your space — it’s about reshaping your mindset.
I’ve been reflecting on several teachers and books that approach this topic with wisdom, each one adding a layer of perspective. Here are some key takeaways that may encourage you if you’re on a decluttering journey of your own.
1. Marie Kondo – Mindset Before Method
In The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo reminds us that tidying is first about mindset. One of her central principles is that discarding must come before organizing. If you try to arrange clutter, it’s still clutter — just hidden in bins.
Her famous question, “Does this spark joy?” can feel a little lofty at times. After all, not every household item is going to bring delight (I’m looking at you, vacuum cleaner). But the principle invites us to pause and consider: Does this add value to my life? Or is it just taking up space?
Another practice she suggests is gratitude — thanking items for their service before letting them go. This may sound whimsical, but it helps shift our perspective from guilt (“I wasted money on this”) to release (“This served me for a season, and now I can let it go”).
And here’s an important note: focus on your own stuff. Kondo gently points out that if you’re tempted to critique someone else’s clutter, you’re likely overlooking your own. It’s a reminder of the biblical wisdom: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the plank in your own?” (Matthew 7:3).
2. Joshua Becker & The Gift of Less
In The More of Less, Joshua Becker highlights that when we own less, we gain more — more freedom, time, energy, and peace. His words echo a theme I’ve been learning: decluttering isn’t about deprivation, it’s about liberation.
3. Courtney Carver & Project 333
Courtney Carver’s Project 333 is a simple but powerful wardrobe experiment: dress with 33 items or less for three months. The point isn’t to count every sock, but to notice how much freedom comes from less decision fatigue.
Her work reminds us that decluttering can be playful — almost like a challenge or a reset button — rather than a heavy chore.
4. Lisa Woodruff & Letting Go of “Someday”
Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365 brings in another layer of truth: many of us hold onto items for a version of ourselves that may never exist. Maybe it’s the jeans we hope to fit back into, or the craft supplies for a hobby we’re not actually passionate about.
She encourages us to surrender aspirational items and accept who we are today. That release creates room for the life we’re actually living — not the one we wish we were living.
5. A Final Word: Decisions Made Now
One phrase I’ve come back to again and again is this: hoarding is delayed decisions.
Every item you leave in a pile, every drawer crammed with “someday” objects, represents a decision postponed. The good news? Every time you choose to release something, you reclaim a little more peace, clarity, and control over your space.
Closing Thought
Decluttering isn’t about perfection. It’s not even about minimalism, unless that’s what you’re after. It’s about creating a home and a life where you feel free to breathe.
As you take small steps — letting go of what doesn’t serve you, choosing gratitude, and giving yourself grace — you’ll discover that less really can be more.
-Laura