It is important to limit the number of items in our homes because having too many items can lead to an increase in stress and clutter. Having too many items lying around can make us feel overwhelmed and frantic. Ask yourself a question: How many items in my home do I really use frequently or find joy in? The answer is sometimes hard to quantify. Below, we’ll explore why we shouldn’t feel bad about decluttering and why it can be beneficial.
Your home is your sanctuary
With the increased amount of time spent in our homes since 2020, clutter has increased exponentially as well. It can be easy to accumulate with holidays, birthdays, and ads everywhere you look, promising the best solution for every problem you have. The truth is that your home is your sanctuary, and keeping the clutter to a minimum will decrease stress and improve productivity and overall relaxation in your home!
To minimize clutter, routinely inventory items in your living spaces. You’ll probably realize you’ve been holding onto items you don’t use or like anymore, which is a great time to sell, donate, or discard them. Staying on top of clutter by decluttering every few weeks will prevent clutter from accumulating in large quantities.
It’s okay to get rid of gifts or expensive items
Gifts from a loved one or expensive items can be some of the hardest items to purge. Having fewer things in our homes can make us feel lighter and give us a sense of freedom. This can also help in the future when the next holiday season comes around — start suggesting experiences together with your loved ones instead of gifts. This can help decrease the accumulation that seems normal during the holidays.
Decluttering expensive items can also help you make decisions about future purchases, making it easier to buy and keep the items you truly cherish. For instance, you might realize that the expensive espresso machine you “invested” in is too much of a hassle, leading you to purchase a much more affordable Nespresso machine that is simple to use. While you may not recoup the full amount you paid for an expensive item, you can still sell it for a tidy sum, especially if it’s mostly unused.
Feeling sad or sentimental when getting rid of items is normal
If you start feeling sad or sentimental when you start a decluttering session, just remember that this is natural and normal! It can be difficult to get rid of items with sentimental value, but the memories that we have of them are what is important. A tip for keeping the memory alive could be creating a video or image with the items you’re getting rid of, so you can look back in the past and have that memory without taking up as much space. There are also several services that will make books out of digital photos — for your kids’ art, special events, and physical photos.
Decluttering makes moving easier!
Moving is such a stressful part of life, but it doesn’t have to be if you have your clutter under control. After all, the fewer items you own, the easier it is to pack up your belongings and move them. With moving companies charging by weight or by the box, it’s better to have as little as possible. What makes moving even easier is if you already store items in bins. In that case, you won’t have to pack up as many things.
Moving can feel like a fresh start, and that’s the best time to declutter. As you pack up items, consider the following: every item you bring to your new home should serve a purpose. Before putting items into boxes, ask yourself whether you still need them. Evaluate the items that are still useful to you or make you happy.
Decluttering tips before a move:
- Start early: Begin sorting through your belongings at least a month before moving day.
- Use the one-year rule: If you haven’t used it in a year, consider donating, selling, or tossing it.
- Sort by category: Go through clothes, kitchenware, décor, and sentimental items separately to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Host a yard sale or sell online: Before the move, you can make some extra cash by selling unwanted furniture, clothing, and electronics.
- Think about your future space: Will your new home have room for everything? If not, downsizing is necessary.
“Just in case” is an excuse to hold onto things
Don’t live your life saying “just in case” when you’re deciding to keep things in your home. This can be another big hangup when making decluttering decisions! If you haven’t used something in 1-2 years, it’s time to ask yourself if it’s worth keeping!
Holding onto items for hypothetical scenarios — whether it’s clothes that no longer fit, outdated gadgets, or things you “might” need someday — only creates unnecessary clutter. The reality is, if you haven’t used it recently, you likely never will, and if the need ever arises, you can often borrow, rent, or replace the item.
Letting go of “just in case” items can be liberating. Instead of clinging to things out of fear or guilt, focus on creating a home filled with items you love and actually use. A great strategy is to box up uncertain items and set them aside for a few months — if you don’t need them during that time, you probably never will. adds value to your life.
Embrace a Lighter, Clutter-Free Life
Letting go of unnecessary items creates a home that feels peaceful, functional, and filled with things that truly serve you. Decluttering reduces stress, makes moving easier, and frees up space for the things that genuinely bring you joy. Whether it’s releasing sentimental items, expensive purchases that no longer serve you, or that “just in case” clutter, every step toward a more intentional home leads to greater clarity and freedom.
So, don’t feel bad about getting rid of things. Instead, see it as a step toward a home that supports your well-being rather than overwhelms you. If you need help decluttering your space, organizing your home, or packing and moving, contact us today. Clutterless Home Solutions are the go-to organization professionals in the Denver metro area; we can transform your space into a functional oasis of relaxation.
