Decluttering is not a new practice. If you’ve heard of Marie Kondo and her method of only keeping what brings you joy, then you’ve definitely seen some of the extreme ways to handle organization and cleanliness.
You won’t get that intensity here … I’m a mom of three boys with two businesses and a dog. I don’t have time for that kind of rigid cleaning structure (unless I hire someone to do it for me). So, if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the wrong place!
Instead, I’m all about approaching cleaning and decluttering from a space of harmony. To me, this means integrating it into our daily lives as a family, with everyone pitching in, and it not falling onto one person to manage the house like a circus. I also embrace the seasonality of my life – some days, I’m just too busy to worry about clutter clearing. Other days, I have more time and more space to focus on it.
But why clutter clear? Is there something wrong with having a messy space?
Studies have shown that constantly being surrounded by clutter can increase the chance of feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Especially if the clutter never goes away. There have also been studies that indicate some clutter, during certain times, can actually help creativity and intuition, particularly in creatives. (Maybe that’s why I don’t mind the clutter? Because I am a writer? I’ll show my desk space on my Instagram later this week to demonstrate…)
However, these latter studies do indicate that typically, even creatives need to eventually do some cleaning to get rid of the clutter so they don’t become anxiety-ridden and distracted from their projects.
How do I approach cleaning and clutter clearing?
I focus on breaking the tasks down into smaller steps and then developing a family routine to tackle them. I’ll write a more detailed article about how our kids started helping us with household chores and decluttering when they were in preschool, but for now, let’s focus on some tips. (Follow me to be notified of the “getting kids to help” article when it goes live.)
If you’re like me and cleaning your house would likely take days, especially with the constant struggle of your kids making something you just cleaned messy five minutes later, then hopefully, these tips will help.
Clutter clearing with harmony tips:
Make a small commitment: When I approached cleaning and decluttering as an all-or-nothing approach, you can likely guess how often I did it. It was overwhelming and stressful, and although it felt good the few times I did it, it was rare. Instead, the pile of clutter started to feel like it was mocking me, making me feel like a failure as a mom and manager of my household. To start, I first made the commitment to do one small piece of decluttering per day.
Set a timer: With my commitments, I like having a set amount of time that I am decluttering. I don’t know about you, but having the end in sight makes it easier to get started. At first, I set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Just 5 or 10 minutes a day. I would choose the area I wanted to tackle, turn on some music, and then set the timer. Believe me, it will ring a lot sooner than you realize. Some days, I felt motivated enough to keep going. Other days, I was thrilled that it was over. Embrace both energies – you got your commitment done for the day. Well done!
Add a pleasant atmosphere to your newly clutter-free area: After clearing clutter, I love to spray some essential oils to ground and cleanse the area. It helps freshen up the place, smells great, and adds an extra feeling of accomplishment. Do what resonates with you! Maybe it’s adding a bouquet of flowers, a picture of your loved ones, or a house plant.
Celebrate! I am on a mission to remind people that we can celebrate the small wins. Too often, we accomplish something we set out to do, an intention we made for ourselves, and then we move on to the next thing. I say screw that! After I do something I promised myself I’d do, I have a mini dance party. Remember how I said I turn on music when I start the timer? That’s because if I get through the duration (or if I continue to go longer than I “have” to), I finish with dancing and enjoying the scent and energy of my newly cleansed space.
There’s something about decluttering a small area of your home, creating that pleasant atmosphere, and then dancing in the energy that motivates you to do something else. It’s like getting a sticker on your homework when you were 5 – it feels so good!
Connecting your Physical Decluttering Week with Earth
One aspect of clutter clearing that doesn’t get talked about enough, but I am so grateful for learning—thanks to the 28-day Soul Coaching® Program by Denise Linn (which I now teach on a regular basis)—is how the act of physical decluttering connects with the element of Earth.
Ancient civilizations associated our physical aspects, which can include our surroundings, our material things, and our bodies, with the element of Earth for a reason. The Earth element is connected to wisdom, integration, and consolidation. It has to do with the physical things we can touch and feel.
As an extra little challenge this week, I encourage you to incorporate a small daily practice or habit that helps you connect with this element and the natural cycles in your physical environment.
For example – as I’m sitting down and writing this, it is winter in Saskatchewan. This makes it difficult to do things that I would typically do to connect with the Earth this week, but I can embrace the season of winter. Normally, in winter, we want to spend time resting, reflecting, and releasing what no longer serves us from the previous year. We are making room for new seeds of opportunity and growth to be planted in the spring season.
That is why I felt called to start this theme in the Quest For Harmony Community about clutter clearing—to share the practice and routines I’m doing in my own life with you to help spread the lessons and growth that come from it.
So, I encourage you to consider a small way to incorporate the Earth element into each day this week as you are clutter-clearing. This may be:
Be more mindful about your physical space: Take a few moments each morning to breathe and notice your physical space, whether it’s the things in your bedroom, the feel of your blankets, or the smell of your coffee (the latter is a favourite of mine!).
Find a way to connect with nature: If you’re like me, you can’t go outside barefoot and stand in the grass for 5 minutes (it’s currently -40 degrees Celsius with the windchill today… brr), so it could be something else! I like to stand sipping my cup of coffee in the morning sunbeam through the window that faces the sunrise. If you are in a warmer climate, standing outside in the morning sun is even better! Or standing barefoot in the grass (or sand if you are lucky and living on a beach – I’m jealous!).
Don’t forget about your physical body: Since we are talking about the physical, we also need to think about our bodies! Consider eating a little healthier, one meal a day, or moving a little more (remember those dance sessions post-clutter clearing? There’s a reason I do those! 😊). Or perhaps it’s simply sitting in stillness and being mindful about how your body is feeling – close your eyes, take a few breaths, and just feel what’s happening inside your body. Is there anything that hurts or feels tense? Send it some love, do a little stretch, and imagine exhaling the tension away.
I love Denise Linn’s way of incorporating the elements into clutter clearing to help make space for what matters—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Journal Prompts to Get Started
Are you still interested in clearing clutter with us but feeling overwhelmed this week? Try these journal prompts to prepare your mindset and set the intention to take your first small step. Progress is better than perfection!
What is one space (office, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen) that makes me feel the most overwhelmed when I consider cleaning it?
What is one tiny step I can take in that area to clutter clear for less than 15 minutes (i.e., a single drawer, countertop, or shelf)?
What commitment can you make this week to accomplish that one small step?
What is one small commitment you can make to empowering your body this week? (i.e. stretch for 2 minutes a day, stand barefoot in the grass every morning (if warm enough), enjoy a sunbeam for a few minutes before 10 am every day)
Join Quest for Harmony Community
Want more tips like these, including mini-weekly challenges, affirmations, reflection, and a community of others doing the work alongside you? Join my free online community, Quest for Harmony Community! Every week, I add content like this to help you achieve success on your terms with harmony, not hustle.
More Reading
Here are some other articles that talk about physical decluttering if you want more information:
V., Laurie. Jan 16, 2024. Does a clear space really mean a clear mind? https://www.headspace.com/articles/clear-space-really-mean-clear-mind
Martin, Dr. Sharon. April 21, 2015. Beautiful Space, Beautiful Mood: How a Beautiful Physical Space can Improve your Mood. https://sharonmartincounseling.com/beautiful-space-beautiful-mood-how-a-beautiful-physical-space-can-improve-your-mood/
Wonders, Lynn Louise. October 12, 2023. The Mindful Approach to Clutter: Honoring Our Workspaces and Personal Spaces. https://lynnwonders.medium.com/the-mindful-approach-to-clutter-honoring-our-workspaces-and-personal-spaces-465adda34848
Schrader, Jessica. February 12, 2018. 6 Benefits of an Uncluttered Space. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/in-practice/201802/6-benefits-uncluttered-space
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