Declutter Your Life: More Joy, Less Stuff

Have you ever opened a closet and been attacked by an avalanche of Tupperware lids? Or stared at your calendar, wondering how you signed up for a book club, dodgeball, three volunteer committees, and a weekly yoga class you never actually attend? If so, welcome to the clutter club—where our stuff, schedules, and even our minds are bursting at the seams. But here’s the thing: the less we hold onto, the more space we create for joy. Decluttering isn’t just about cleaning out junk drawers; it’s about making room for what truly matters.

I started with my office closet and put all my books in 1 place, cleaned out the receipts – just in time for receipt season and spring. The declutter game is on!

So, where do you start?

Pick one area: your house, your schedule, or your mind (don’t start with your garage – you may want to work up to that!). If your home looks like a yard sale exploded, grab a bag and start with just ten items to donate—yes, even that sweater you’ve been “meaning to wear” since 2014. If your schedule is a chaotic mess, practice saying "no" to things that drain you (hint: if your first reaction is ugh, that’s a no). And if your mind feels cluttered with endless to-do lists, try a daily brain dump—write everything down, then cross off the things that don’t actually need to be done.

And if you need extra motivation, check out The Minimalists’ TED Talk, The Art of Letting Go. They break down why less truly is more and how we can stop holding onto things—physical and emotional—that no longer serve us. Letting go isn’t just about decluttering; it’s about giving yourself permission to live lighter, freer, and happier.

So, your challenge this week: pick one thing to let go of. It could be a pile of clothes, an old grudge, or that obligation you secretly dread. Donate, delete, or decline—whatever it takes to free up some space in your life. Because the more we let go, the more room we create for joy, purpose, and the things that truly spark happiness (yes, Marie Kondo would be proud).