Lifestyle
New year, less stress: start your year off with a cleansing declutter
Got piles of stuff you’ve been meaning to sort through but have a hard time starting? Here are our favourite decluttering tips for 2025.
By Carolyn Tate
Remember that old you from 2024 – the one with too many shoes and boxes of who-knows-what in the back of the cupboard? The one who could never find anything and was often stressed out or rushing around? Say goodbye to that self – it’s time to start fresh as the calendar flips over to 2025.
And while we’ve all convinced ourselves before (probably multiple times) that surely this year we’ll be tidier, more mindful and calmer – 2025 could just be the one when you make it happen.
That’s because you now know that decluttering is the key to your calmest year yet. A tidy home isn't just about convincing visitors you’re not an animal, it's about creating a peaceful environment that supports our well-being and helps us thrive in the year ahead.
The art of letting go
The first step in any decluttering journey is adopting a method that resonates with you. The globally acclaimed KonMari Method, developed by Marie Kondo, has revolutionised how we think about our possessions. At its core is a simple yet powerful question: "Does this spark joy?" This approach shifts our focus from what to discard to what we want to keep, making the process more positive and intentional.
But if the concept of sparking joy feels too abstract (and runs the risk of you throwing out your work computer or your spouse), consider the practical time-test rule: if you haven't used an item in the past 6–12 months (excluding seasonal or truly sentimental items), it might be time to let it go. This straightforward approach can make decision-making clearer and more objective.
Making mindful decisions
When you’re evaluating each item, ask yourself 3 questions:
● Do I genuinely love this item?
● Does it serve a purpose in my current lifestyle?
● Would I purchase it again today?
These questions help cut through the emotional clutter that can keep us holding onto items we no longer need.
The key to successful decluttering lies in taking decisive action with each item you evaluate. Create 4 distinct categories:
- Keep
- Donate
- Repurpose
- Recycle/throw away.
Items that serve your current lifestyle or hold genuine sentimental value deserve their place in your home. Good-condition items that could benefit others should be donated, while some objects might find new life through creative repurposing (but not if you’re going to repurpose them ‘some day’ - that’s a trap!).
The power of immediate action
One important tip from the KonMari Method that often gets overlooked is the importance of removing unwanted items from your home immediately. Those bags of donations sitting in your hallway for weeks? They're more likely to be unpacked or shuffled around than actually make it to their intended destination. Make it a priority to remove these items straight away to stop any second-guessing and maintain your decluttering momentum.
Embracing digital solutions
In our digital age, there's no need to keep mountains of physical paperwork and photos. Consider digitising important documents, cherished photographs, and memorable cards. It might feel weird at first, but if they’re saved to the cloud, they’re not going anywhere. This not only saves physical space but also makes your memories and important information more accessible and better protected.
Creating lasting change
While it might seem like a daunting task, tackling your entire home in one focused effort has been shown to lead to more lasting change than doing one room or corner at a time. This approach, recommended by Marie Kondo, helps shift your mindset about material possessions and makes you stop and think more deeply about any future purchasing decisions. You could find yourself becoming more intentional about what you bring into your home, choosing items that truly add value to your life.
Maintaining your progress
To prevent clutter from creeping back, schedule regular mini-decluttering sessions throughout the year. Because you’ve already done the hard yards, they don’t have to take long, but these check-ins help maintain the serenity of your space and serve as reminders to regularly evaluate what serves you and what doesn't. Think of it as routine maintenance for your home's energy and flow - and for your stress levels.
If you’re dreading the work, it could help to shift your mindset. Decluttering isn't just about creating physical space – it's about making room for new experiences, growth, and possibilities in the year ahead. Focus on creating a home that relieves your stress and brings you joy. Let 2025 be the beginning of a more mindful, organised, and peaceful living space that truly reflects who you are and who you want to become.
Feature image: iStock/Milan Markovic
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