50 Things to Declutter to Instantly Feel Lighter

Clutter can weigh us down mentally and emotionally. Even decluttering a few small items makes a surprising difference. Here are 50 ideas to get you started:

Shoes That Cause Blisters

Toss or donate shoes you never wear because they rub your feet raw. Value comfort – ditch the pinchy heels stashed in your closet.

Unhung Artwork

If it’s not on your walls, art has no purpose. Either hang that print tonight or gift it to a true art lover.

Moving Boxes and Supplies

Free your home of bubble wrap, packing tape, and dusty cardboard boxes. Pass them along to a friend mid-move.

Super Old Frozen Meals

That frosty lasagna from 2018 has got to go. Toss expired, questionable freezer foods – or brave one last taste before you say goodbye.

Mysterious Condiments

Unidentifiable srirachas and ketchups lurk in fridges worldwide. Part with half-empty sauces you never drizzle on your food.

Stained T-Shirts

Bid adieu to ketchup-splattered tees and holey softball jerseys. Repurpose into cleaning rags or send to textile recycling.

Backup Underwear

Marie Kondo would cringe at your stockpile of backup undies. Keep enough for laundry days – excess just takes up precious drawer space.

Unused Cookbooks

Let go of dusty cookbooks that never leave the shelf. You have the internet’s limitless recipes at your fingertips.

Hair Ties You Never Wear

Elastic hair ties seem to multiply in drawers. Keep only your go-to styles and colors. Set the rest free.

Gifts You Don’t Use

Don’t store gifts purely out of guilt or obligation. The giver likely won’t mind if you re-gift that hideous sweater.

Overflowing Plants

Too many plants cluttering up your home? Give extras to green-thumbed pals. Or research the best air-purifying varieties and curate your collection.

Burnt Out Candles

Spent candles serve no purpose. Toss waxy remnants of fires past – or decant into votives for one last hurrah.

Empty Bottles

Pretty perfume bottles, unique beer bottles – resist the urge to display your empties. Upcycle or toss thoughtfully.

Unworn Sweaters

Musty wool buried in the far reaches of your closet? Donate unused sweaters to charity so they can warm some shoulders.

VHS Tapes and DVDs

If you haven’t popped in a DVD since 2009, it’s time to unload the clutter. Sell, donate or convert to digital.

Here are 10 more quick clutter-busting ideas to get started:

• Old cell phones
• Technology boxes
• Ratty old towels
• Expired makeup
• Broken electronics
• Excess blankets
• Old wallets
• Cracked mugs
• Scratched suitcases
• Dried up pens

Even small decluttering efforts add up to big results. Now let’s get into more detailed spring cleaning strategies:

Declutter Your Closet

Yes, it’s time to face the beast – your bulging closet. Here’s what to look for:

• Shoes that don’t fit. Be honest – you’ll never squeeze into those heels again.
• Clothes with tags. Donate unworn impulse buys collecting dust.
• Pieces you dislike. Even if they still fit, toss anything you never feel good wearing.
• Climate mismatches. Let go of winter coats if you moved to Florida. Give heavy sweaters the boot in Arizona.
• Sentimental pieces. Cherish memories without keeping unflattering frocks.
• Empty hangers. These encourage acquiring more clothes. Keep only what’s needed.

Check all corners and storage ottomans. Clothes crammed away are usually unused. Clear the clutter and breathe easy.

Kitchen Cutbacks

An organized kitchen minimizes stress. Consider cutting back these bulky items:

• Appliances on counters
• Extra pans and pots
• Duplicate utensils
• Excess dishes/glassware
• Too many mugs
• Unmatched Tupperware

Be strategic. Store only often-used items accessibly. Pack away specialty appliances to keep counters clear.

Living Room Lightening

Pare down these abundant living room items:

• Throw pillows
• Extra blankets
• Dust-catching knickknacks
• Stacked magazines and papers
• Outdated books
• Puzzle boxes and games missing pieces

Keep only frequented items handy. Remove unused decor that distracts more than delights.

Bathroom Blitz

Streamline storage and surfaces in your bathroom:

• Eliminate backup shampoos and soaps once you open new ones.
• Toss expired medicines and dried up sunscreens.
• Limit hair products to truly beloved potions.
• Contain cotton swabs, floss, and Q-tips in organized bins.
• Store only current, in-season products accessibly – tuck others away.

Your morning routine will feel simpler in a decluttered, soothing bathroom space.

Bonus: Declutter Your Mind

Clutter can exist in our thoughts too. Prune pessimistic self-talk that drags you down. Don’t listen to:

• “I’m such a failure.”
• “I’ll never stay organized.”
• “What’s wrong with me?”

Toss verbal clutter polluting your mind. Make space for optimism and possibility to grow.

What else can you declutter today? Small steps make a big difference.