Declutter Your Life...Declutter Your Mind
It’s hard to believe that we’re entering the last month of 2025, but as they say, time and tide wait for no man.
The year’s end brings with it an opportunity to think intentionally about what we would like to bring forward with us into the next year, and what we would rather leave behind.
Which belongings, beliefs, and even relationships are no longer serving us? What can we simplify, consolidate, or eliminate that will allow us to enter 2026 with lightness, openness, and curiosity about what lies ahead?
My own decluttering list is quite long and includes:
1) Clothes I no longer wear
2) Expired makeup and skincare
3) Electronic wires and cords (and even outlets, which smart home architect Premiere Systems Design will streamline for me)
When the world around us seems to be in turmoil, our homes should be sacred spaces that offer us feelings of safety and peace — the proverbial port in a storm. Unnecessary clutter, however, can prevent us from truly experiencing our homes as safe havens. When closets, drawers, and surfaces are crowded with extraneous items, it tends to add to our overall anxiety and sense of overwhelm. Conversely, getting rid of unnecessary items can give us a sense of calm and control.
Don’t Toss — Make a Difference
While it’s cathartic to get rid of what we no longer use or need, I firmly believe in giving material possessions a second life whenever possible. Instead of creating more waste, separate out those items you might be able to pass along to others. Many people and organizations are struggling economically right now and would be grateful to receive gently used items.
For example, nearly every animal shelter will accept used sheets and towels. So go through your linen closet, pull out what you no longer use, and take the items to a local shelter. Not only will you be providing help, but you will also have the personal satisfaction of making the trip and connecting face-to-face with those who benefit from your donations.
The same goes for used clothing, shoes, books, toys, and kitchen gadgets. Many places will accept these items, including local churches, thrift shops, and homeless shelters. You may need to call ahead and ask if drop-off hours are limited to certain days and times, but most organizations make this as easy as possible.
To make it more fun, you can turn it into a social activity — have a few friends comb through their own drawers and closets and meet up to drop off donations together.
Another good option for dealing with used goods is to join a local “Buy Nothing” group. These have become very popular across the country in nearly every local community, mostly via Facebook Groups. In Manhattan, there are Buy Nothing groups for many individual neighborhoods. You just join your local group online (for free) and post pictures of any items you’d like to give away. Interested neighbors simply respond. The advantage is that the eventual recipient comes to you for pickup — you don’t even need to travel. Clothes, toys, and books are very frequently gifted in these circles. No matter where you live, you likely have neighbors who are either in need or want to pursue the sustainable route of reusing and recycling rather than buying new.
Of course, some types of clutter can’t really be reused or rehomed, like expired makeup, medications, skincare, appliances broken beyond repair, old paperwork, miscellaneous cords, and so forth. These should be tossed or recycled responsibly in the case of electronics, batteries, or medicine. You won’t miss any of it, and you’ll feel relief as soon as the discarded items are removed. Elimination can be tremendously freeing, particularly in NYC, where space is an especially precious commodity!
Make Space Online
These days, most of us tend to accumulate electronic waste as well as physical, like unneeded apps, duplicate digital photos, and old computer files. Rather than doom-scrolling on social media, spend 10 minutes of screen time deleting photos or apps you no longer need on your phone or the Cloud. It can be tedious, but this kind of decluttering can provide just as much relief (and added space!) as organizing your kitchen junk drawer. There are even apps, such as Duplicate File Finder, that can make this less of a chore.
In a similar vein, cleaning out your email inbox is a worthy decluttering endeavor. I know people with hundreds or even thousands of messages just sitting in their inbox. My advice is to delete whatever is out of date and no longer needed. Everything else can be sorted into digital folders for easy access, making it much simpler to locate new and essential information in your email.
Negative People
Finally, decluttering your life can include stepping away from negative friendships as well. In my last newsletter about “gray rocking,” I discussed strategies to cope with the impact of acquaintances, family members, or friends who subtly or not so subtly attempt to insult or provoke us. If you have people in your life who are consistently behaving this way, though, it might be time to think about separating yourself from them as much as you’re able. Removing these types of people from your life will go a long way towards improving your self-esteem and peace of mind.
If you’re not able to make a clean break, try to put off seeing them until they get the message. The truth of the matter is that we can’t change other people. We can only work on ourselves. “Friends” who make you feel bad aren’t really your friends. Even taking an experimental “break” from a toxic friendship can be helpful, and you can always re-evaluate afterwards.
Whether it’s physical, electronic, or emotional, the act of clearing out and making space is rejuvenating. Much like pruning a plant to encourage spring growth, it’s a proactive way to take stock of what serves us and what doesn’t and to leave ourselves open to new possibilities ahead.
What’s on your list?
Wishing a very happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!