Spring is in the air. On my daily walk in Central Park this morning, it was a thrill to see the variety of Spring flowers blossoming all around….big patches of yellow daffodils and candy-striped tulips on the ground below, white cherry blossoms and forsythia on the trees above. Combined with warmer temperatures, brighter sunshine and bluer skies, Spring ushers in a welcome burst of energy and the hope of new possibilities.
As we emerge from the cold, dark winter, this sense of renewal also often inspires us to declutter. Spring is a wonderful time to shed—— to rid ourselves of the stuff that is weighing us down, getting in our way and stealing energy rather than fueling us.
If the urge to purge grips you this season, here are some practical insights on how to shed what’s weighing you down, and open up space for what nourishes your soul.
Recognize that clutter comes in all forms. Clutter isn't just physical. It extends to our time and habits as well. Physical clutter could be any collection of stuff that is stagnant–e.g. piles of papers you haven't touched in months, unused items in your pantry, the who-knows-what shoved into the bottom of your closet. Time clutter could be overcommitments that drain your energy–activities you maybe said yes to (when you really meant to say no), or that made sense at one point, but now take more time than you can afford. Habit clutter includes things like procrastination, chronic lateness or mindless screen time, which interferes with your sense of happiness and accomplishment. What form of clutter is most weighing you down? Do you want to tackle physical, time or habit clutter?
Target only one or two things to declutter. The greatest misconception about clutter is that freedom only comes when you declutter everything. That is simply not true. Even clearing out a single drawer or a particular time commitment will deliver a great payoff in terms of renewed energy, control and accomplishment. We all have plenty of other things to do besides declutter for weeks on end. Avoid the paralysis of all or nothing thinking, and pick one or two specific points of clutter that are most weighing you down and just focus on those for now. You’ll be amazed at how rewarding that will be.
Make an appointment with yourself. Success in decluttering comes from intentional planning and preparation, not impulse. If it's physical clutter, block out a few uninterrupted hours on a day when you're rested and ready. For time clutter, plan the conversation to renegotiate or end overcommitments thoughtfully. Addressing habit clutter requires setting a start date and planning replacements for the habits you're shedding.
Once you are ready to dive in, you can follow the 4 steps to decluttering from my book SHED Your Stuff, Change your life.
Separate the treasures-Identify what gems are worth hanging onto
Heave the trash -Completely release what is obsolete
Embrace your identity from within -You are who you are without that clutter
Drive yourself forward-Move toward experiences that nourish & connect to your genuine self.
Remember, decluttering is not an end in itself but a means to create space for what truly enriches your life. Whether it's more energy, peace, time for hobbies, or quality time with friends, think about what you're making room for. And enjoy the process—clearing out space and time for something that fuels your soul.