10 Things to Declutter Today for Instant Peace of Mind

Feeling stressed or that your home or life is busy and cluttered? Here are 10 things to declutter today for instant peace of mind and hopefully more space and ease too!

DOES CLUTTER STRESS YOU OUT? IF SO, ME TOO!

Have you ever walked into a cluttered room and instantly felt your stress levels rise? Clutter isn’t just about the physical mess—it can weigh on your mind and emotions, making you feel overwhelmed, distracted and drained.

My husband and I run our own business and I had a couple of days off work recently so he was on his own in the office. Regular readers might be familiar with the challenges we have in our family. I am a minimalist and my husband is a hoarder and we don’t always agree! However, our home is more my domain whilst at work, my husband takes the lead.

But, after a couple of days out of the office, I walked back in to find boxes, paperwork, mugs and plates and random stuff had multiplied and was taking up space on the counters, desk and floor. When I’m work I can keep tabs on it, but… let’s put it this way, my husband had taken full advantage of my absence to indulge his passion for hoarding and stuff! And I instantly felt stressed, distracted and unable to focus without my usual clear and tidy working environment!

This little story goes to show that clutter affects us, albeit to different degrees. Yet, there’s plenty of research about the negative effects of clutter and, equally, why our brains generally prefer simplicity.

So, if your home and life feel busy, cluttered and stressful, let’s see if this article can help you find calm and peace of mind with 10 things to declutter today.

As Courtney Carver says, “The solution is almost always less. Get rid of something, lots of somethings.”

Decluttering can give you peace of mind. To me, in a busy, big and uncompromising world, this peace of mind is priceless and something that I’d happily get rid of some excess stuff for. Do you feel the same?

10 THINGS TO DECLUTTER TODAY

The good news is, decluttering doesn’t have to be an all-day event. Even small steps can create big changes in how you feel.

If you’re craving a calmer, more peaceful home, here are ten things you can declutter today to instantly feel lighter, clearer, and more at ease.

1. The Kitchen Junk Drawer

Everyone has that one drawer in their kitchen that seems to collect all the random bits and bobs—old receipts, takeaway menus, elastic bands, half-used batteries, and pens that don’t work. Instead of letting it spiral into a chaotic mess, take everything out and go through it. Get rid of anything broken, expired, or unnecessary. Only keep the essentials, like a working pen, a notepad, and a few useful tools. Once you’ve organised it, you’ll love the feeling of being able to open the drawer and find exactly what you need without rummaging through the clutter.

2. Expired or Unused Toiletries

Bathroom cupboards and drawers are often filled with half-used bottles of shampoo, old skincare products and makeup that’s well past its best-before date. Toiletries and beauty products take up space, and keeping things you don’t use can make your morning routine feel rushed and overwhelming. Check expiry dates and be honest about what you actually use. Anything that’s old, nearly empty, or hasn’t been touched in months can go. Once you’ve cleared the clutter, your bathroom will feel fresher, more organised, and a little bit more like a spa.

Side note: If you’d like more help building a simple but supportive morning routine, have you checked out my Morning Routine Planner?

3. Your Handbag or Work Bag

A cluttered bag can make even the simplest task feel stressful, especially when you’re digging through old receipts, crumpled tissues, or a tangle of keys and cables. Empty everything out and only put back the essentials—your wallet, phone, keys, and anything else you truly need. Use small pouches to keep items organised, like one for makeup and another keys and smaller items. By decluttering your bag, you’ll feel more in control and less frustrated when you’re out and about.

4. Outdated Paperwork and Post

Stacks of unopened letters, old bills, and random bits of paperwork can quickly become overwhelming. Even if you’re not consciously thinking about them, they create mental clutter and can make you feel like you have unfinished tasks hanging over you. Take some time to go through them, recycling anything you no longer need and shredding anything with personal information. Important documents can be scanned and saved digitally to reduce paper clutter. Once you have a system in place, your space will feel lighter, and you won’t have that sinking feeling every time you see a pile of unopened post.

5. Clothes You Never Wear

A wardrobe full of clothes that don’t fit, don’t suit you, or simply don’t make you feel good can make getting dressed every day feel like a chore. Go through your wardrobe and be honest with yourself. If you haven’t worn something in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go. Donate anything that’s still in good condition and let go of items that no longer serve you. A decluttered wardrobe filled only with clothes that fit well and make you feel confident will make getting ready in the morning a breeze.

6. A Schedule Full of Unnecessary Commitments

Clutter isn’t just physical—it exists in your calendar too. If your schedule is packed with obligations, meetings, or social events that drain you instead of energising you, it’s time to reassess. Look at your commitments and ask yourself whether each one is truly important, necessary, or something you enjoy. If you feel obligated rather than excited about an event, consider letting it go. Cancel or politely decline anything that doesn’t align with your priorities. Freeing up space in your schedule creates more time for things that truly matter, whether that’s quality time with family, self-care, or simply a chance to rest.

7. Digital Clutter on Your Phone

Physical clutter isn’t the only kind that can weigh you down. Digital clutter—endless screenshots, unread notifications, and a phone packed with unused apps—can be just as overwhelming. Start by deleting apps you no longer use and turning off unnecessary notifications. Organise your photos into albums or back them up to free up space. Unsubscribe from spam emails and clear out your downloads folder. A decluttered phone makes everyday tasks feel easier and reduces the time wasted scrolling through digital distractions.

8. Old or Unmatched Socks

It’s amazing how much space a drawer full of odd socks can take up. Go through your sock drawer and match up any lonely pairs. If you’re left with socks that have no match or ones that have holes, it’s time to let them go. Keep only the socks that are comfortable, in good condition, and that you actually wear. When your sock drawer is neat and tidy, finding a matching pair in the morning becomes effortless, saving you time and frustration.

9. Unfinished Projects

Half-finished knitting projects, DIY supplies gathering dust, or books you abandoned halfway through—unfinished projects can create feelings of guilt and mental clutter. Take a moment to assess whether you genuinely want to finish them. If the answer is no, let them go and release yourself from that burden. If you do want to finish them, set aside dedicated time to do so. By decluttering unfinished projects, you’ll feel a weight lifted and free up space—both physically and mentally—for things that truly bring you joy.

10. Negative Social Media Accounts

Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering your home; it’s also about decluttering your mind. Recent data suggests that the average person spends 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day. That’s a lot! If certain social media accounts leave you feeling drained, stressed, or not good enough, it’s time to hit unfollow. Take a few minutes to go through your social media feeds and remove anything that doesn’t add value to your life. Instead, follow accounts that uplift and inspire you. Being intentional about what you consume online can make a huge difference in your mental well-being, leaving you feeling lighter and more positive.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DECLUTTERING

I get many people asking me how to start decluttering so I thought it might be helpful to give you a few ideas if you’re struggling to declutter too. I hope they help…

1. How Do I Start Decluttering When I Feel Overwhelmed?

Start small. Pick one area, like a single drawer or shelf, and focus only on that. Breaking decluttering into tiny steps makes it more manageable and helps build momentum. Try these 10 quick decluttering projects at the weekend.

2. How Do I Decide What To Keep And What To Let Go Of?

Ask yourself if the item serves a purpose, brings you joy or happiness, or is something you genuinely need. If not, it’s likely just taking up space and can be donated or discarded.

3. What Should I Do With Items I Feel Guilty About Getting Rid Of?

If an item holds sentimental value but no longer serves you, consider taking a photo of it before letting it go. There are many other ways to declutter without throwing away memories. Donating it to someone who truly needs it can also ease guilt.

4. How Can I Stop Clutter From Building Up Again?

Adopt simple habits like the ‘one in, one out’ rule—if you bring something new into your home, remove something else. Regularly declutter small areas to keep things under control.

5. How Do I Get My Family On Board With Decluttering?

Lead by example and start with your own belongings first. Encourage family members by showing them the benefits, such as having more space and less stress.

DO YOU NEED HELP TO CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER?

Many people struggle to declutter. Not enough time, motivation, energy or even knowing where to start, let alone keep that clutter away.

If this sounds familiar, I encourage you to check out my decluttering workbook and checklists in Clear Your Clutter. This is a step-by-step plan to declutter your home and it’s all laid out for you. So all YOU have to do is follow the sections and tick things off as you go!

Click here to learn more about Clear Your Clutter.

CONCLUSION

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a huge, overwhelming task. Even spending just a few minutes tackling some of these common clutter hotspots can bring an instant sense of calm and peace. Whether you start with your handbag, your wardrobe, or your kitchen cupboards, every small step you take is a step towards a lighter, clearer, and more intentional life.

Which of these will you declutter first? Let me know in the comments!