21 Days to Declutter Your Life: Clear Your Mind and Reclaim Your Peace
300,000 Reasons to Declutter
The average American home contains over 300,000 items. Overwhelmed much? I used to be one of them—until I discovered that every object I owned had a story. The catch? Not all those stories were worth keeping.
Some people will embark on annual spring cleaning or might be forced into a deeper dive when moving (I did this five years ago). But what better time to do this than the top of the new year?
How Your Environment Impacts Your Mind
A 2010 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found a direct link between clutter and stress. Those in homes described as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” had higher levels of cortisol—a stress hormone—throughout the day. Those who called their homes “restful” or “restorative” had much lower cortisol levels.
Cortisol elevation can lead to chronic stress, reduced focus, and even physical health issues like high blood pressure. The physical environment isn’t just a mirror of your state of mind—it actively shapes it. Chaos breeds overwhelm, while order creates calm. That’s why I decided to embark on this decluttering challenge: to reset my space and reclaim my peace.
The Process of Letting Go
The things you own end up owning you.
- Tyler Durden
Three weeks might sound like an epic amount of time to do some housecleaning. But don't be fooled—this isn't easy. I researched over a dozen experts and methods to create a best-of-breed system I could deploy in 21 days.
Week 1: Decluttering Core Spaces (The Clear Surface Principle)
Clear, open surfaces create an immediate sense of calm and clarity. The state of visible spaces directly influences mental clarity and stress levels. A clutter-free core space provides a foundation for the rest of your decluttering journey.
After removing everything from a surface (table, counter, or shelf), Clean the surface thoroughly.
Decide what, if anything, belongs there. Prioritize empty space over decoration.
Functional: Does it serve a daily purpose?
Intentional: Does it enhance the space? (E.g., a plant or photo frame).
Limited: Aim for no more than 1-3 items per surface.
Week 2: Tackling Personal Spaces (The Kondo Method)
Marie Kondo of Netflix fame and the author of "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," flips the script from discarding - to curating a life filled with items that align with your ideal self.
Start with Categories, Not Spaces: Tackle one category at a time (e.g., clothes, books, sentimental items). This ensures all similar items are evaluated together.
Ask: Does This Spark Joy? Hold each item in your hands and ask if it brings genuine joy or serves an essential purpose. Keep only what truly resonates with you.
Honor What You Discard: Acknowledge the role each item played in your life before discarding it. This intentional approach makes the process more meaningful and emotionally freeing.
Week 3: Going Deep (The Swedish Death Cleaning Principle)
Decluttering storage spaces and forgotten items is about lightening your load and preparing for a simpler, freer life. Swedish Death Cleaning encourages you to let go of items that don’t truly matter to you or your loved ones. It's a little dark and existential but very effective.
Ask: Would I Want Someone Else to Handle This? Use this question to evaluate items in deep storage areas like attics, basements, or garages. If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go.
Focus on Neglected Spaces: Tackle areas that often hold forgotten clutter. These deep cleans can bring surprising clarity and relief.
Create a Legacy Without the Burden: Share stories or photos of sentimental items with loved ones instead of holding on to the physical objects. This preserves the memories without creating future obligations.
The Reward
The final step is a big trip to your local donation center. Or a yardsale (as long as whatever doesn't sell gets donated and not put back in your home!) It's incredible how much lighter I feel waking up, working in, cooking, and going to sleep in a clutter-free and organized environment.
But I'm more of a science guy than a feelings guy (hey, at least I own it). Plenty of studies show that an uncluttered space can positively impact focus, productivity, anxiety, decision fatigue, and even sleep.
Please let me know if you decide to embark on the challenge and how it went.
Stay unstoppable,
Eli
