Declutter your life: Simple steps to reclaim your space, peace, and purpose

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Time for a fresh new start for the new year. - Canva

New year, new you!

When life feels overwhelming, we often forget the simple yet transformative act of decluttering. It’s about taking a step back, assessing the chaos in our physical, digital, and mental spaces, and clearing out what no longer serves us. This process not only lightens the load but also paves the way for a fresh start. Here are some things to declutter in your life from a phsyical and digital aspect.

WARDROBE

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Declutter your wardrobe by using the four methods: Keep, donate, trash, reorganise. - Canva

Cultivating the habit of clearing out unnecessary clothes is essential—not just to declutter our wardrobe, but to make getting dressed a breeze rather than a daily struggle.

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Unwanted clothes don’t belong in the trash. They can find a new purpose by being donated to those in need or sold to support a charitable cause.

So, take a good look at your wardrobe. Ask yourself: Do I really need those pants I haven’t worn in years? Instead of holding onto the "what if” mindset, think about how someone else could benefit from them—and how letting go opens space for pieces that truly serve you. Out with the old, in with the useful!

DECLUTTER YOUR PAPERS

Declutter your desk by removing unwanted papers and organising the ones still needed. - Canva

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Old receipts piling up in your handbags, school bags, or scattered across your desk? They’re not just unnecessary—they’re turning your space into a chaotic mess.

Make it a habit to organise papers regularly, not just when you finally have "free time”—because let’s be honest, that’s a rare occasion, and it’s easy to forget. Instead, tackle the clutter as soon as you notice it.

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By cultivating a habit of decluttering everything from your wardrobe to random papers, you’ll save yourself the headache of navigating a cramped, messy space. Plus, don’t forget to recycle those unwanted papers—good for you and the planet!

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE KITCHEN?

Declutter your kitchen by removing unwanted appliances and expired foods. - Canva

Decluttering the fridge is just the start—the entire kitchen deserves some love!

Take a moment to spot unused appliances that are simply taking up space. Instead of letting them gather dust, consider donating them to someone who’ll put them to good use.

A clean, organised kitchen doesn’t just smell fresh; it creates a stress-free environment. Imagine effortlessly grabbing breakfast, lunch, or dinner without the headache of navigating through clutter. It’s time to transform your kitchen into a space that works for you, not against you!

OVERLOOKED EXPIRED BEAUTY AND BATH PRODUCTS

Declutter your bathroom by removing unwanted makeup tools and expired cleaning products, including your toothbrush. - Canva

Using outdated products isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a health hazard, potentially exposing you to bacteria and germs.

Bathrooms, with their humid environment and hollow spaces (like toothbrush bristles or skin scrubs), are breeding grounds for germs. Regular decluttering—whether weekly or monthly—isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s an essential hygiene practice, especially if the bathroom sees limited use.

Adopt a simple four-step system to streamline this process:

Keep: Retain items that are still usable and hygienic.

Donate: Give away products or tools in good condition that you no longer need.

Trash: Dispose of anything expired or no longer functional.

Reorganise: Arrange essentials like papers, makeup tools, and medications for easy access.

REMOVE UNUSED APPS

Declutter your digital life by removing unwanted apps, photos and subscriptions in your digital devices. - Canva

With physical clutter out of the way, it’s time to shift focus to the digital chaos—starting with your trusty smartphone, the lifeline of your daily life, followed by your laptop, the cornerstone of your work and personal projects.

Take a closer look at the apps on your phone. How many have you downloaded ages ago, only to forget they even exist? Or worse, how many are quietly charging you while collecting digital dust? Decluttering isn’t just for closets—this is your golden opportunity to hit the delete button without hesitation.

Free up precious storage space on your device, and you’ll not only streamline your digital experience but also extend your phone’s lifespan before it starts lagging. Declutter now, and save yourself from prematurely shopping for a new device!

SORT YOUR PHOTOS

Open your Photos or Gallery app and take a closer look at those duplicate photos or accidental videos. They’re simply taking up precious storage space, making your phone slower and harder to navigate. Decluttering your photo library isn’t just about freeing up space—it’s about creating a smoother, more peaceful experience when you use your phone or search for the photos you actually need.

Be mindful of unnecessary duplicates, old videos, and random screenshots that don’t serve a purpose anymore. If storage continues to be an issue, consider adding more space or using cloud storage so you can actually enjoy capturing moments without the constant "storage full" reminder.

We’ve all experienced the frustration of running out of space on our phones, disrupting the ability to use your device freely. By decluttering your photo library, you’re not just optimising storage—you’re also creating a calmer, more organized phone experience that brings peace of mind every time you reach for it.

REVIEW SUBSCRIPTIONS

Many of us are guilty of forgetting about expensive subscriptions—those accidental ones we signed up for or the ones we no longer need but never got around to canceling. For iPhone users, a quick visit to the subscription tab in Settings is all it takes to save your wallet from unnecessary charges.

It could be the Google Photos subscription you’re no longer using or that pricey LinkedIn premium account you only tried for the free trial and then forgot about. Cutting these subscriptions is a simple yet powerful way to regain control and ease financial strain.

Regular digital decluttering is just as important as physical clutter. Devoting even 15 minutes a week to this task can make a huge difference. From unnecessary subscriptions to messy home screens, these digital distractions pull your focus away from your phone's true purpose.

DECLUTTERING THE MIND: WRITE A JOURNAL

Declutter your mind by writing a journal, aside from meditating. - Canva


As critical as these steps are, nothing is more important than taking care of your mental wellness. Without it, no amount of decluttering—physical or digital—will make a real difference. Prioritise your mind, and everything else will fall into place!

A journal as a form of self-reflection helps you to analyse your problems better and how you can handle them given how you are as a person.

By writing down your daily activities, you get to look back and reflect what actually serves you and no longer serves you and from knowing the former, it is necessary to just, well, remove them and declutter!

Toxic relationships, the past failures that you keep dwelling on, the old goals and ambitions that no longer fit you, the bad habits and unhealthy routines or outdated beliefs or mindsets, even unnecessary material possessions? Remove them all. Focus on connections that uplift you, and let go of that multitasking or negative self-talk.

RESET YOUR HEADSPACE

Meditating can help reach mental clarity as a form of decluttering. Illustrative photos by Canva

Meditation is one of the most powerful tools for mind decluttering, offering a seamless path to mental clarity and peace.

It fosters gratitude by encouraging you to reflect on everything you still have, helping you appreciate the positives in your life, especially when compared to those facing more challenges. Meditation also boosts productivity by igniting motivation and highlighting areas where you can improve, ultimately enhancing your growth as a person.

But above all, decluttering with the intention to destress is the key. Mental clarity achieved through meditation clears the fog, allowing you to become the best version of yourself.

Commit to a simple daily meditation routine to cultivate mental clarity and reduce stress