Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind: Why Less Really Is More
We live in a world that praises multitasking, glorifies “busy,” and convinces us that more is always better.
More clothes, more apps, more kitchen gadgets that only get used once a year (yes, bread maker, I’m looking at you). But here’s the twist — science says the opposite might be true: less stuff, fewer distractions, and a cleaner space can actually boost your brainpower and emotional clarity.
The secret weapon of people who refuse to waste their life on “maybe.”
We tend to think of ruthlessness as cold, hard, or even mean. But in reality, the most successful people aren’t ruthless with people—they’re ruthless with decisions. They edit their lives like a prize-winning manuscript: no mercy for fluff, filler, or “maybe someday.”
Because “maybe” is a slow poison. It doesn’t stab you; it starves you—one dusty object, one unnecessary meeting, one draining relationship at a time. Clarity, not cruelty, is what frees you from that slow decay. And clarity comes from asking the right, brutally honest questions.
Today, let’s rip off the blindfold together (gently, with snacks) and talk about the four types of clutter that rob you blind—without you even realizing it.
The Psychology of Clutter
Clutter isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a silent saboteur of mental energy. Studies in cognitive psychology show that our brains like order; visual chaos competes for our attention and drains our cognitive resources (Baumeister & Tierney, 2011). That’s why trying to work at a messy desk feels like typing with someone tapping your shoulder every three seconds.
This isn’t just about aesthetics — clutter also affects our decision-making. When our environment is overloaded, our brain’s “willpower budget” gets depleted faster. The mental load of seeing all that “stuff” means fewer mental resources for the things that actually matter, like solving problems, being creative, or remembering why you walked into the kitchen in the first place.
- The "I'll Need This Someday" Delusion.
Aha Moment: Someday isn’t a date on the calendar. It’s a landfill where dreams go to die.You know that box labeled DIY Supplies in your closet? Let’s be real—you’re not Martha Stewart. You’re a raccoon with a glue gun. And yet, because of the seductive little lie: “I might use this someday” you keep it.
The truth: “Someday” is emotional procrastination disguised as practicality. It keeps you stuck in the fantasy of potential rather than moving toward the reality of action.
The hack: The 10-Second Rule. If you can’t name a specific use for it in ten seconds, it goes. No debates. No “but what ifs.” If it’s really that important, you wouldn’t need more than ten seconds to justify its existence.
2.Emotional Clutter: The Guilt-Tripping Ghost.
Confession: I once kept my ex’s love notes “for the memories.” My current partner calls them “evidence.”
The truth bomb: Holding onto pain, nostalgia, or guilt doesn’t make you deep—it makes you the museum curator of your own misery. Emotional clutter keeps you trapped in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown.
The worst part? You start to believe that the weight of those old stories is who you are. That without them, you’d somehow be less “you.” But those artifacts are just relics—dusty emotional furniture that doesn’t match your current life.
The fix: Write it all down. Every thought, every emotion, every lingering “what if.” Then destroy it. Burn it in a fire pit, shred it, feed it to a paper-eating goat—whatever feels most dramatic and cathartic. Just… maybe not in your kitchen.
Minimalism and Decision Fatigue
Minimalism isn’t about living in a white-walled apartment with one fork — it’s about reducing decision fatigue. The fewer choices you have to make about trivial matters, the more energy you save for important ones (Yates & Tversky, 2018). Think of it as Marie Kondo meets neuroscience: if it doesn’t spark joy and doesn’t help you function, it’s time to let it go (Kondo, 2014).
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (2016), known as The Minimalists, argue that intentional living isn’t just about decluttering physical objects — it’s about creating space for what truly matters: relationships, creativity, and purpose.
3. Career Clutter: The "Busy" Trap
Aha Moment: Your LinkedIn profile isn’t a trophy case—it’s a receipt for time you’ll never get back. So much of what we call “hustle” is just elaborate avoidance. The “networking coffee” with someone you don’t respect? The pointless meeting where nothing gets decided? That’s not productivity—it’s self-sabotage with espresso.
The truth: Busyness is a socially acceptable form of distraction. It lets you feel accomplished while keeping you safe from real risk.
The hack: The 90-Day Purge. If a task, project, or professional connection hasn’t mattered in 90 days, delete it. Let go of the guilt. A lighter, more intentional workload creates more space for work that actually moves you forward.
4. Financial Clutter: The Silent Budget Killer.
Confession: My “miscellaneous” spending category could probably fund a small country’s avocado toast supply.
Truth bomb: You’re not “treating yourself”—you’re bribing yourself to tolerate your own bad habits. And those tiny indulgences you justify “just this once”? They’re forming a quiet, consistent drain on your life’s resources.
The fix: Renegotiate your life one expense at a time. Cancel one subscription or skip one impulse buy per week. Not to punish yourself, but to free up resources for the things you truly want—experiences and investments that matter five years from now, not just five minutes from now.
Clarity Through Letting Go
If your mental state feels foggy, take a look around you. That pile of unopened mail? It’s not just paper — it’s a micro-stressor. Psychologist David Tolin found that people who struggle with clutter often experience higher anxiety and lower life satisfaction, and clearing their environment directly reduces these feelings (Tolin et al., 2014).
Decluttering can even feel like reclaiming control over your life. In a study on habit formation, Wood and Neal (2007) found that behaviors are strongly tied to environmental cues. Change the environment — reduce the clutter — and you’re more likely to shift your habits for the better.
The real enemy is not clutter-- it's self-deception
Here’s the harsh truth: you are a terrible liar… except when lying to yourself. Then you’re Oscar-worthy.
We all have our pet lies:
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- I’ll use this someday. (No, you won’t.)
- I keep it for sentimental reasons. (It’s guilt in a frame.)
- I’m just busy right now. (You’re avoiding something bigger.)
Being ruthless isn’t about being cruel—it’s about refusing to believe the stories that keep you stuck. It’s about replacing “maybe someday” with “yes or no, right now.”
Closing Challenge
This week, catch yourself mid-lie. The moment you say, “I need this,” ask yourself:
Do I?... Or does fear just want company?
Then throw something away. Start small. Maybe it’s that weird spoon you’ve never used, the shirt that still has tags after three years, or the phone number of someone you only text out of obligation.
Because every tiny edit you make is a declaration: “I refuse to live in the landfill of maybe.”
From Chaos to Calm
When you strip away the non-essential, your mind gets room to breathe. That’s why decluttered spaces often feel calmer — you’ve removed a thousand little “to-dos” from your visual field. Instead of constantly being reminded of what’s undone, you get to focus on the here and now.
So here’s your gentle nudge: grab a trash bag, pick a drawer, and start small.
Science says your brain will thank you for it — and so will your productivity, creativity, and mood.
this article has been revised as of August 10, 2025.
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Author’s Note & Copyright Statement
This article is an original work published under Clarity Edited, written by Clarity Edited Team @ chikicha.com with the support of AI-assisted research and writing tools.
This piece was thoughtfully created by Clarity Edited, blending personal reflection and human insight. While AI assisted in refining the content, the voice, values, and message are fully human-directed.
© 2025 Clarity Edited. All rights reserved. www.chikicha.com
Please do not copy or republish without permission.
References
Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. New York, NY: Penguin Press.
Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up: The Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
Millburn, J., & Nicodemus, R. (2016). Minimalism: Live a meaningful life. Asymmetrical Press.
Tolin, D. F., Frost, R. O., & Steketee, G. (2014). Buried in treasures: Help for compulsive acquiring, saving, and hoarding (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med:psych/9780199329269.001.0001
Yates, F. A., & Tversky, A. (2018). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108567956
"Which lie do you tell yourself most?"
Thank you for the photo #geralt @pixabay
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