Looking for a list of things to declutter? Here’s a different type of decluttering list to consider—one that might surprise you!
Lately, on my internet wanderings, I’ve been noticing that most conversations about minimalism are turning into lists of things you can declutter. (Goodbye blender, spare phone charger, and college textbooks!!)
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe decluttering your home is obviously a big part of a minimalist lifestyle—but I can’t help but feel that that part of the conversation is missing.
I believe minimalism is less about the number of things you own and more about intentional thinking. It’s about considering the purpose and value something (physical possessions, ideas, or even people) brings into your life and then being intentional about what you choose to keep.
When I first started to discover minimalism, I felt like this was talked about a lot. Still, as minimalism has become more mainstream (with the popularity of KonMari or blogs like this one) … I wonder if it’s losing part of its soul?
Or perhaps that’s just what the mainstream media is focusing on. Regardless, it can’t hurt to share a different kind of decluttering list—a list of things to declutter that aren’t things.
Instead of physical decluttering, I’m looking at ideas and mindsets that aren’t contributing to my life and could use letting go.
15 Things To Declutter (A Different Decluttering List)
Before jumping into the list, I wanted to make two quick points:
- I’m still working on A LOT of the things on this list, and to be honest—I’m writing this for myself as much as my readers. Life is a work in progress!
- Not everything on this list makes sense for everyone. Please don’t view this as an authoritative “master list” (or my attempt to write one). Instead, my intention is to inspire you to think outside the box with your minimalist lifestyle and to consider other aspects of your life that may require a bit of decluttering.
On that note, I’m sure there are a ton of things I’ve left off this list, so if you have any ideas you’d like to share please feel free to add them in the comments!
UNNECESSARY DEADLINES
I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve spent stressed to near tears because I’ve had some project or chore that I really, really wanted to finish before going to sleep—even though there was absolutely no reason it couldn’t just be left to the next day.
Yet for some reason, I’d created a self-imposed deadline that was causing me ridiculous stress. If you’ve ever caught yourself in the same boat, join me in just letting go.
RELATED POST: 5 Ways To Be Kinder To Yourself
GOSSIP
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
We all know this one. It’s a lazy habit; let’s be intentional in breaking it.
A GOAL WEIGHT OR SIZE
Instead of focusing on an arbitrary number, chose to focus on feeling healthy and well. Healthy living is easier when it’s about feeling good instead of battling the scales.
MULTITASKING
Have you ever had that “I’ve been so busy working all day, but somehow I’ve done nothing” feeling?
Yep. Me too—and we can thank multitasking for creating lots of busyness minus productivity. The alternative?
Try slowing down, doing one thing at a time, and being mindful about the task at hand. (I’ve been trying time blocking lately, and it’s really been working for me.)
PERFECT
Is your inner perfectionist holding you back? Remember that ‘perfect’ isn’t real. It’s an illusion, and until you get comfortable with it, no amount of simplifying will ever be enough.
FEELING TRAPPED
Tough love time: stop believing you’re trapped. If you’re not happy with your life, acknowledge that you are in control.
You may not be able to change all the circumstances of your life, but in most cases, there are things you can do to change your situation. Sometimes it’s hard, but don’t be afraid to take small steps in a new direction.
GUILT ABOUT SELF CARE
If you feel guilty in any way about making time to take care of yourself, please stop and let it go. Practising self-care is important because it creates a strong foundation (YOU!!) for everything else you want to do in your life.
BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR MISTAKES
We know this, right? But boy is it hard to remember in the heat of the moment. I’m trying to learn the power of “pause”; to stop for a moment and think before I react, giving myself time to accept responsibility for my own actions.
WAITING TO BE HAPPY
Stop waiting for a new job, a new month, or a new boyfriend to make you happy. You aren’t waiting, you’re making excuses. Make the decision to start living and loving life today.
RELATED POST: 14 Ways to Stop Living for the Weekends
THE GLORIFICATION OF BUSY
Busy does not equal better.
- If you find yourself complaining (or boasting) about being busy, stop.
- If you’re too busy to do what’s important to you, look at your priorities.
- If you have downtime, enjoy it without feeling guilty.
ANY DEFINITION OF SUCCESS THAT DOES NOT SERVE YOU
Define your own version of success. Create your own standards and build a life that makes you feel good (and stop worrying about how it looks to everyone else).
RELATED POST: How Defining My Core Values Changed My Life
DEFLECTING COMPLIMENTS
Learn to accept compliments with grace, instead of responding with a self-deprecating joke. (Yes, you do look nice today, and no—it’s not the flattering lighting.)
OBSESSING OVER THINGS YOU CAN’T CHANGE
I know this isn’t easy (I’m still putting some serious work into this one) but I truly believe that one of the greatest things we can learn in life is how to let go of what we can’t change. (Goodbye: replaying things in our head, constant obsessing, and unnecessary stress.) If you’re not sure how to start with this, practice being present.
ANGER + GRUDGES
When you’re angry with someone, deal with the issue and then move on. If you’re struggling, ask yourself what’s more important—the issue or the relationship. (And if the answer is the issue, then perhaps you should move on from the relationship.)
Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
– Unknown
SELF LIMITING BELIEFS
And finally, let go of any thoughts that begins with “I could never …”
For a long time, I believed I could never get out of debt, or end my first marriage, or start a blog that people actually read.
But guess what? I learned that I’m brave and capable of more than I thought and you are too. Say goodbye to any thoughts (or anyone) that tell you otherwise.
What ideas or mindsets could use ‘decluttering’ in your life? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to add to this list! x
This is a great list! Thank you so putting all these things together here ❤️
I am newly aspiring minimalist, and tend to disagree that minimalism has lost its spirit. My journey started when I read by accident wise words that minimalism removes the physical obstacles so you cannot escape your spirit any more. I think that physical decluttering and mindfulness are connected, and you cannot reach peace of mind without cleaning your physical surroundings.
I realized that all the clutter and busyness were just an excuse no to take care of my soul. So I removed all the unnecessary things from my home to make more room for my spiritual journey. You list will make it definitely easier!
Wishing you all the best from Norway! 😊
Jennifer – I recently discovered your blog posts via a link from another website and I must say that it feels wonderful to read the words of a like-minded person 🙂 I completely agree that there is more to declutter than the physical aspects of your home (which itself can feel very rewarding, and slightly addictive – haha).
Recently, in a bid to help placate my anxiety and the nay-sayers in my head, I started to journal. Just emptying my head of all the words. It truly feels like a “decluttering” of my mind. I have found it to now be an essential part of my day as I have noticed that I am a happier, lighter person for it, able to address many of the items you list above because of it. I no longer WANT to be “busy”, I am making a concerted effort to single-task as much as possible, am focused on being more present in each and every moment and am slowly starting to turn off the constant replay of situations in my mind.
Each time I approach a new day with intent, I am being exposed to so many more positive experiences and meeting so many amazing people. Decluttering my mind has empowered me to focus on the good and I am so grateful for the life I am starting to live.
Thank you so much for your blog (and the emails I receive)…it is refreshing to have more positivity in every day! xx
I love this angle that “clutter” can be so much more than physical. Self-imposed deadlines and anxiety about things I can’t change (or which might never happen) are big ones for me.
This is the perfect list and dead on across the board!! Thanks for these reminders because I’m so guilty of almost all of them to some degree.
Erica
http://www.awastenotkindoflife.com
Hi Erica, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! I need these reminders for myself almost all the time too 🙂 Have a great day! x Jen
Yes Yes Yes! When people thing of minimalism they automatically think of decluttering and ‘things’. I think this side of minimalism is much more important xx
Thanks Hannah 🙂 I definitely found this “side” of minimalism to be much more life changing! x
Everything about this post is so spot on! There is so much of the minimalism movement that is mindset related. For me, once I got through the physical minimizing, the mental minimizing was so much clearer and easier to accomplish. I also get super annoyed when people write ‘decluttering’ lists- what I want in my life is going to be different than anyone else. Minimalism isn’t one size fits all!
Hehe – I have to admit I feel the same way about decluttering lists, which is part of what inspired this post, but it’s a bit of balance!! Sometimes they’re great for a bit of inspiration, as long as you know to be true to yourself first. Thanks for reading! 🙂
This post makes me want to hit a wall and hug you at the same time. There is SO much here that I need to hear, and you say it in a way that’s non-threatening. I will probably read it at LEAST 6 more times tonight! 🙂
Oh my goodness – sorry I’m only replying to this now! But thank you SO much fro your kind words 🙂 I especially appreciate the bit about being non-threatening; I really try not to “preach” in my blog posts so I’m so relieved to hear it doesn’t come across that way. Thanks for reading! x
This blog has so much going for it, so it’s disappointing to me that the author proffers a negative opinion which is attributed to a book that she has not read. I’ve read the book, it’s wonderful and covers many things, it talks about “sparking joy” (the title of her follow-up book which I have yet to read but have ordered). It made me want to learn more, not less, about other types of downsizing and decluttering, which is what led me to this site. KonMari method and book is about decluttering not minimalism, and I’d be very interested to know what Jennifer thinks of the KonMari method she actually read the book, but in the meantime I feel somehow insulted at the suggestion that I and the very many people who have taken up decluttering by following the KonMari method are contributing to a decline in the minimalism movement.
Hi Margaret, it’s a very fair point that I haven’t read the book and perhaps I haven’t expressed myself well (or with enough tact). I’m sorry if I implied the KonMari method is bad in any way.
The point I was trying to make is that KonMari has brought a lot of attention to minimalism and, as often happens when anything becomes mainstream or popular, I feel in some cases the focus is lost. I’m apologise if this comes across as derogatory to the KonMari method – it certainly wasn’t my intention to do so.
I appreciate your comment and thank you for bringing this to my attention and taking the time to share your feelings.
Ugh, I absolutely adore this blog post. Thank you 🙂 I agree with everything you’ve mentioned and even though I’m new to living more mindfully/being frugal/being minimalist (whatever you want to call it) I really appreciate your perspective.
Thanks so much Michaela – I’m so glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Hi, Just found your blog, I’m in a place in my life to really be receptive to intentional living and your articles are really inspiring. I think I would add to this list Friends. In the same way you have been talking in other articles about material possessions not fitting the you that you want to be, I think it might be helpful to look at the people who we are friends with and recognize which people make us happy and fulfilled and which it is perhaps time to let go of.
Hi Jesse – I definitely agree! Being mindful about your friends (and all relationships) is a huge part of minimalism. Thank you for the reminder! ☺️
I sooooo needed to read this today. The list as is, is on point!
That’s awesome to hear Fin! Thanks so much for commenting 🙂
Loved this article! I think what struck me the most was “I’m brave and capable of more than I thought…” I needed to hear that. Thanks Jennifer!
Thank so much Vicki – I’m so glad this spoke to you 🙂 Have an awesome day x
I love this! I have made myself a note to come back and refer to it.
Thanks Kimberly! I refer back to this post myself a lot too, haha 🙂
A lot of the things you mentioned are things I’m currently struggling with. It’s been a bummer week for me, and I think I needed this inspiration more than I am realizing.
I need to focus on waiting to be happy and defining my own success. Thank you for the read, Jennifer!
Hello Micha! I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having a rough time ? I completely understand the whole ‘waiting to be happy’ thing, I know it’s one of the hardest things to do.
I’m so glad that you’ve found some inspiration in this post and I’m sending you positive vibes. Feel free to message me if you feel like talking things out. x
I feel guilty for NOT taking care of myself 🙁
Aww Diane, big hugs. Trust me – I think this happens to EVERYONE once in a while. Do something small for yourself and let yourself enjoy it. x
This list is fantastic. I feel like if I could actually do all these things I’d be in nirvana! Oh well – progress not perfection right? Thanks so much for these great reminders of the most important things to minimalize.
Thanks Jan! I completely understand – we are all works in progress 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this posted and I appreciate you taking the time to comment! All the best 🙂
I spend SO much time obsessing over things I can’t change. I’m always having to remind myself that “I can’t control this. Let it go.”
Thank you for reminding us that decluttering our minds is vastly important to live happily!!!
Sorry I missed this comment! I still obsess too … we all do the best we can 🙂
I’m so, so guilty of making self-imposed, totally arbitrary deadlines! I hadn’t really thought about that until now, but it can be painful and anxiety-making. Going to try to work on that this month – thanks for your thoughtful words!
I have caused so, SO, many arguments with my other half over these deadlines! Good luck with letting go of yours and thank you for your comment 🙂
This is so great! Everyone always talks about getting rid of things, but I think these concepts are even more important. I especially agree with the parts about glorifying busy and feeling guilty about self care. I need to work on those for sure.
Thanks for your comment Annie 🙂 I’m definitely guilty of glorifying busy (although not as much as I used to.) Baby steps for sure! x
I love this! So honest and true. I am now writing a piece not too dissimilar from this about decluttering our lives digitally. I think people find it easier to declutter physical things as they are able to see the evidence right there and then whereas other aspects of decluttering do not give such short-term results.
Oh – I’ll have to keep an eye out for that post! And I completely agree; I think digital or mind decluttering is almost ‘second stage’ decluttering – easier to tackle once you’ve cleared the physical excess from your life! 🙂
Fantastic list, not just for minimalists, but everyone in general.
Most definitely! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
THIS RIGHT HERE!!! I love all of your thoughts– the purpose of simplifying is really to get to the bottom of our desires and what drives us, and to make changes there. This is such a good piece. I’ll definitely be sharing it!
Aww… thanks Daisy! ❤️ And you’ve summed it all up so eloquently – you’re so good with words! Thank you so much for sharing x
I’ve read the KonMari books, & she actually agrees with you & me about how it’s about all the things you own having a purpose (useful & bringing joy). I think some fans have been taking it to the extreme because of the thrill they get decluttering physical stuff (in the sense that you can see the results around you quickly).
Hi Daisy – that’s great to know! I think you’re right … decluttering is of course a fantastic feeling! As long as there is balance (I’ve seen a few posts online where people have described how stressed they felt because they couldn’t decide if they should have 4 or 6 dinner settings!) Thanks for commenting 🙂