Decluttering Tips for Letting Go of Stuff Without Stress
Letting go of stuff when you’re just starting to declutter your home isn’t always easy—I totally get it. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been learning how to let things go in a way that feels a little more gentle and a lot more doable. And honestly, it’s made such a difference. In this post, I’m sharing some of the decluttering tips that have worked best for me—tips that fit my lifestyle, my home, and the current season.
When we think about how to declutter our home, it’s easy to get stuck on the “what do I throw away?” question. Discarding stuff can feel overwhelming, and so we procrastinate, putting off the task altogether. However, with some helpful decluttering tips, the process can become much more manageable. I have been there so many times!
Decluttering Tips That Prioritize What Stays
I used to wonder why decluttering felt so easy in some areas of my home, yet incredibly difficult in others. The answer came to me unexpectedly, through a blog post by fellow organizer Abby from Abby Organizes. She suggested asking yourself, “What do I want to keep?” instead of “What do I want to get rid of?”
That shift changed everything for me. That’s exactly why decluttering under my bathroom sink felt effortless—I already knew what I wanted to keep. The items that served a clear, practical purpose stood out, and everything else was just background noise.
But in more sentimental or cluttered areas—like my tchotchke closet—it felt overwhelming. I had been scanning for what to toss, and that mindset made every item feel like a decision. Once I flipped it and scanned for the things I genuinely loved or knew I wanted to keep, it suddenly became easier to let go of the rest.
So, I started to flip the process on its head—and it worked.
Instead of focusing on what to get rid of, start by deciding what to keep. Yes, keep. Hold in your hands the things you truly want to keep — the ones that serve you well, bring you joy, or simply make your day easier. As Marie Kondo says, these are the things that “spark joy.”
This mindset shift can transform decluttering from a chore into a meaningful, intentional act.
How To Let Things Go: Ask Yourself This!
With that in mind, the one decluttering tip that will help you move towards a more intentional home, is to start by choosing what stays. Look for the items that are:
- Useful — if it serves a purpose in my life and I reach for it regularly.
- Beautiful — if it’s visually pleasing, especially when displayed in my home.
- Practical — if it’s easy to use and does what it’s supposed to without frustration.
- Meaningful — if it holds sentimental value that outweighs its function.
For all other things and when in doubt, ask yourself:
- Does this make me happy?
- Do I use this often?
- If I had to repurchase it, would I do it without hesitation?
This kind of decision-making is simpler — and more sustainable. These gentle decluttering tips help you cultivate a sense of gratitude and confidence, rather than guilt or stress.
Let Your Feelings Guide the Decluttering Process
When letting go of stuff, I’ve started doing something simple: I stop and really look at the object. I focus on the first feeling that comes to mind and heart — not the logic, not the guilt, just the feeling.
For example, I recently discovered a stack of old pictures and wall signs tucked away in a closet — items I had removed from my son’s room during the makeover almost four years ago. First surprise: I didn’t even know I had saved them! That was my first cue: I hadn’t missed them once.
But since the can of worms was open, I took a moment to truly look at each piece. Out of six items, only two genuinely spoke to my heart. I asked my son too — and honestly, he didn’t care for any of them. If it had been up to him, he would’ve tossed the whole pile. That made it easier. I kept the two that meant something to me and let go of the rest. That’s four fewer things to store. Four tiny emotional weights lifted.
Dive deeper into letting your feelings guide you to declutter your home with this post: How to Declutter Your Home Using Your Feelings
How to Let Things Go One Category at a Time
One of the most helpful decluttering tips I’ve learned—especially when things feel overwhelming—is to focus on just one category at a time. Trying to declutter an entire room in one go can be paralyzing. But if you zoom in on one group of items, it becomes so much more manageable.
For example, in the kitchen, you might start with utensils, then move on to containers, bowls, pots and pans, kitchen towels, mugs, or small appliances. You can apply this same approach to any room in your home:
- Bedroom: clothing, shoes, books, jewelry, nightstand items
- Living Room: décor, throw blankets, books, candles, electronics
- Bathroom: skincare, makeup, towels, medicine, hair tools
This slow-and-steady method has worked really well for me. Over the years, I’ve decluttered one cabinet, drawer, or shelf at a time—and honestly, it’s changed everything. Each space feels lighter and more functional, and I’m no longer overwhelmed by the idea of tidying up.
What’s helped even more is shifting the way I shop. I’ve become much more mindful of what I bring into the house. I think carefully before purchasing and often ask myself, Do I really need this? Will it truly serve me? That small pause has made it easier to maintain order and prevent clutter from creeping back in. And as a bonus, I find myself letting go of things more easily because I’m not constantly replacing them with new stuff.
How to Declutter Your Home — Room by Room
Try walking through your home with this gentle mindset. Instead of trying to force big decisions, focus on what you love, and let the rest fall into place. If you are looking for a practical way to declutter your home, my free printable decluttering checklist is the perfect resource.
1. Kitchen
Start by opening a drawer or a cabinet. Which tools or gadgets do you reach for again and again? Which ones are buried, forgotten, or broken?
Choose to keep the things that work well for you — the peeler that fits just right in your hand, the measuring cups you actually use, the dish towel you always reach for. Once you set aside the keepers, the rest becomes easier to part with.
Decluttering the kitchen can feel like a huge task, but breaking it down by category makes it manageable. One category that used to overwhelm me? Food storage containers. They were overflowing, mismatched, and constantly falling out of the cabinet. I finally tackled the chaos, and it made a huge difference in how I function in the kitchen. You can read exactly how I did it in this post about organizing kitchen cabinets.
2. Living Room
This space tends to collect “ambience clutter” — things that fill the shelves but don’t fill your heart. What makes this room feel like home? Keep those items front and center.
That throw pillow that’s always in the way or that candle you’ve never lit? You might be ready to let them go.
Decorating shelves can be a sneaky source of clutter, especially when you’re passionate about styling your space, like I am. I created a simple rule of thumb to help me stay in line, so I don’t overbuy or overcrowd. It keeps my entertainment center visually calm and intentional. You can learn my go-to strategy for decorating shelves in this post.
3. Bedroom
Your bedroom should feel like a place of rest. Look at your nightstand, dresser, and even your bedding. Which items bring you peace and comfort? That book you’ve been meaning to read for two years, the tangled pile of jewelry, the socks you never wear—if they’re not serving you, it’s okay to say goodbye.
Nightstands often become catch-alls for random clutter, but a simple system can keep them functional and tidy. When I organized mine, I made sure everything had a purpose and a place, and I haven’t looked back. If your nightstand feels like a mini junk drawer, check out my nightstand organization post for some inspiration.
4. Bathroom
It’s often easier to start here! Expired products, lotions you didn’t like, five hotel shampoos you never used — these can usually go without much debate. Keep only what you actually use and love.
Bathroom storage fills up fast, especially when products are out of sight and easy to forget. When I tackled our mirror cabinet, I was surprised by how much expired or unused stuff I was holding on to. Clearing it out made my morning routine smoother and my cabinet so much easier to clean and upkeep. You can see how I approached it in my mirror cabinet organization post.
5. Storage Spaces
This is where things hide, and where some of your biggest breakthroughs might happen. Work slowly, in short sessions. Ask yourself: Did I even know this was here? Do I need it? Do I love it?
Garage shelves, closets, and storage zones can quietly fill with things we no longer use. For me, the turning point came when I organized all my cleaning supplies in the garage — not only did it look better, but it made cleaning more efficient. If you’re working on a space like this, you might enjoy my post on organizing cleaning supplies.
A Hallway Basket That Blesses Others
Here’s one of my favorite decluttering tips: I place a big box or empty laundry basket in the hallway near the bedrooms. It becomes a quiet invitation to let go.
That box might sit there for a few weeks, slowly filling up. Every time I walk past it, it gives me a gentle nudge to declutter just one more thing. It’s easy, because the basket is already there. And I love watching it fill up — because I know every item inside has the potential to bless someone else.
I’ve walked into Goodwill and found pieces I love for just a few dollars. It brings me joy — and I imagine someone else might feel that same joy when they find the things I’ve donated. That simple thought makes it easier to part with what no longer serves me.
Redefine How to Let Things Go
How to let things go doesn’t have to be harsh or rushed. It can be a gentle, intentional process—and when you pair it with thoughtful buying habits, keeping your home in order becomes so much more doable.
Decluttering your home doesn’t always mean tossing things in a trash bag. It can mean choosing to keep only what serves you, blessing someone else, or simply creating space—in your home and your heart—for what truly matters.
I hope my decluttering tips help you let go of stuff easier than before. Start with what you love. Let that guide you. The letting go will come naturally.