The Best Decluttering Outcomes: Creating Room for What Matters

Explore the real-life rewards of decluttering—less mess, more time, better habits, and a life that you have always wanted to live!

Introduction

When I started decluttering my house, I was looking forward to having a space that would be easy to tidy and clean. I didn’t expect all the other benefits, and I didn’t realize how many things I’d be able to do as a result. I had heard about these changes on the podcasts I listened to, but experiencing them myself was pretty amazing. It’s one of those things that you don’t really understand or believe until you’ve gone through it yourself.

The House that Easy to Clean

One of the most obvious results of decluttering was having a space that’s easy to keep clean. Fewer items on surfaces and floors made the cleaning process feel far less overwhelming. When I started decluttering, that was exactly the result I was hoping for—and I wasn’t disappointed. It was the main reason I began to declutter in the first place.

Open to Visitors

Shortly after I started decluttering, my whole family and I became more comfortable inviting people into our home. It never got messy enough to feel embarrassing because it was so easy to maintain. My two sons were able to bring over their friends and girlfriends without worrying about the state of the house. I had never before experienced the feeling that a friend or neighbor could drop by at any time without needing a two-week notice. It was new—and it felt so good.

Cooking

I had never considered cooking to be an enjoyable or creative activity. For me, it was a necessity—a chore. The problem was the chaos it created in the kitchen and the extra cleaning it meant afterwards. But after getting rid of the excess in the kitchen and clutter on countertops, I started to enjoy the process more. I had space to be creative and experiment. Plus, cleaning up afterwards became much easier because there was less stuff to manage.

Sourdough

In December last year, I learned about the benefits of freshly milled flour and decided to give it a try. I got a grain mill as a Christmas present and started baking sourdough bread and other things using freshly milled flour. As I mentioned before, cooking had never been my thing, but the desire to be healthy and feel more energized pushed me to try something new. Since Christmas 2024, my family haven’t eaten any store-bought bread—and I feel so much healthier and energized.

Craft Projects

Doing crafts has always been my passion. Making things with my own hands was my way of making the house cozy and beautiful. And when I created something, I knew it would last—not like cooking, which gets eaten, or cleaning, which quickly gets undone. I truly saw the value in making things for my home, and I enjoyed it. After decluttering and simplifying, I found that I had more time for the things I love. Since then, I’ve made almost all of our throw pillows, sewed the curtains, and I’m currently crocheting a throw blanket.

Regular Walks

I started going on walks and hikes with my friends or husband in the local park. I’ve always loved nature and knew the benefits of walking, but it never felt like a priority because I thought I didn’t have time. All the household tasks would either stop me or make me feel guilty for taking a break. But after simplifying my home, I realized that even if everything isn’t perfect, it’s never that bad—and I can still go for a hike. In fact, it’s often easy to finish most of the chores before I go. Walking and hiking have become a priority, and I try not to miss them.

More Spontaneous and Open to New Ideas

My friends noticed that I’ve become more open to new ideas and activities. I’m now more likely to say ‘yes’ to last-minute plans, and I really enjoy living this way.