Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt overwhelmed by the mess? Clothes on the chair, papers scattered on the desk, and that one random sock that somehow never found its way to the laundry? It’s like the clutter around you is taking up space in your head, making it hard to focus, breathe, or even relax. just thinking about it now makes me anxious. Lol 😹😹

As a work-from-home mom, I know the struggle. Between managing deadlines, keeping the house running, and trying to find a moment of peace, clutter—both physical and mental—can quickly pile up. And let’s be real, it’s not just about having a messy desk or an overflowing inbox. Clutter sneaks into our minds too—endless to-do lists, unfinished thoughts, and that nagging feeling that we’re forgetting something important.

In this guide, I’ll discuss simple, doable ways to clear the clutter. There will be no fluff or overwhelming checklists—just practical tips that make life smoother and your mind a little more at ease.

So, grab a coffee (or in my case, black coffee to power through the morning), and let’s get started. It’s time to clear the chaos—one small step at a time.

Decluttering Your Physical Space

I’ll admit it—I’m a self-confessed neat freak. In fact, if I were to diagnose myself, I’d say I have a mild case of OCD. I can’t function properly when things are out of place. A cluttered home? That’s a shortcut to my patience running thin. And I won’t sugarcoat it—the mess often turns me into a full-blown dragon 🐲🐲🐲. You know, the kind that breathes fire when someone leaves a wet towel on the bed or forgets to put their plate in the sink.

But here’s the thing—I’ve learned that keeping my space tidy isn’t just about avoiding a meltdown (though that’s a solid bonus). It genuinely helps clear my mind. When my surroundings are in order, I feel lighter, calmer, and more in control. And as a work-from-home mom, I need every bit of sanity I can get.

So, if you’re looking to reclaim your space (and possibly your peace), here’s a simple game plan:

1. Start Small, Win Big

Don’t try to clean the entire house in one go—unless you enjoy exhaustion and regret. Instead, pick one area to tackle first. It could be your workspace, the kitchen counter, or that doom drawer where random items go to disappear. The key is to build momentum.

2. The “Keep, Donate, Toss” Rule

This is my golden rule for decluttering. Every item you touch should go into one of three piles:

• Keep – Only if it serves a purpose or brings you joy (yes, Marie Kondo would be proud).
• Donate – If it’s still useful but you don’t need it. Someone else will.
• Toss – If it’s broken, expired, or just taking up space for no reason.

3. Smart Storage: A Place for Everything

Ever notice how clutter builds up when things don’t have a designated spot? That’s because homeless items tend to wander around the house. Investing in good storage—baskets, bins, drawer organizers—helps keep everything in check. And let’s be real, labeling stuff? So satisfying. 😉😉

4. The 5-Minute Rule

If something takes less than five minutes to clean, put away, or fix—just do it now. Procrastination is the reason clutter wins. I apply this to dishes, laundry, and the constant stream of stuff that magically appears in the living room.

5. Daily Resets to Keep the Dragon at Bay

I’ve made it a habit to do a quick tidy-up before bed—nothing major, just putting things back in their places. Waking up to a clean space makes a world of difference. Plus, it helps me start the day in a better mood (and prevents early-morning fire-breathing). 🐉🐉

Digital Decluttering

Physical clutter is one thing, but digital clutter? That’s a whole other monster. And honestly, it can be just as overwhelming—if not worse—because it sneaks up on you. One day, you’re casually checking your email, and the next, you’re drowning in thousands of unread messages, random screenshots, and a desktop that looks like a crime scene. 🤣🤣

Now, even though I have multiple social media accounts, I don’t use them just to scroll mindlessly. Most of them help me earn money, so they serve a purpose. I’m also pretty selective with my online connections—I don’t just accept friend requests from random people for the sake of having a “huge friends list.” That’s just unnecessary noise.

If your digital space is starting to feel chaotic, here’s how you can clean it up:

1. Inbox Detox: Unsubscribe, Delete, Repeat

Email inboxes are like black holes—things disappear in them, never to be seen again. The first step? Unsubscribe from newsletters and spammy emails you never even open. Then, delete anything outdated. If it’s important, create folders to keep things organized. And for the love of sanity, aim for inbox zero (or at least something manageable).

2. Declutter Your Social Media

• Unfollow accounts that don’t add value or make you feel bad about your life.
• Mute or remove people you don’t actually interact with.
• Organize your feeds so you’re only seeing what truly matters.

And if you find yourself mindlessly scrolling too often, set app limits or schedule screen-free time. It’s easy to get sucked into the digital void, and before you know it, you’ve lost hours to videos of people organizing their fridges. (Ironically satisfying, but still.)

3. Clean Up Your Files and Photos

Let’s be honest—do you really need 500 pictures of the same sunset or 20 versions of the same screenshot?🙄🙄🙄If your phone’s storage is always full, it’s time to:

• Delete duplicates and blurry shots.
• Move important files to cloud storage or an external drive.
• Organize your folders so you’re not hunting for documents like a detective.

4. Streamline Your Devices

• Remove apps you haven’t used in months.
• Turn off unnecessary notifications (because no one needs 100 alerts a day).
• Keep your home screen simple—fewer icons, less distraction.

5. Set Digital Boundaries

Just like physical clutter, digital clutter eats up mental space. Be mindful of how much time you spend online and how you’re using it. Schedule breaks, limit unnecessary scrolling, and remember that not everything needs your immediate attention.

Mental Decluttering

If physical and digital clutter make life chaotic, mental clutter is what keeps you up at night. You know the feeling—your mind racing with a hundred thoughts at once, your to-do list growing by the second, and that nagging worry that you’re forgetting something important. It’s exhausting. As a work-from-home mom juggling deadlines, home responsibilities, and everything in between, I’ve had my fair share of brain overload.

Clearing mental clutter is about organizing your thoughts, setting boundaries, and making space for what truly matters. Here’s how:

1. Brain Dump: Get It All Out

Whenever my mind feels like a traffic jam, I grab a notebook (or my phone) and just dump everything onto a page—things to do, reminders, random ideas, even thoughts that don’t make sense. No structure, no overthinking. Just getting it all out helps me feel lighter and more in control.

2. Make a To-Do List (But Keep It Realistic)

A to-do list is great—until it becomes a never-ending scroll of tasks that only stress you out. Instead of listing everything, focus on the top three to five things that need to be done. Prioritize, and don’t be afraid to roll things over to the next day if needed.

3. Say No Without Guilt

Mental clutter often comes from taking on too much. It’s okay to say no—to extra work, unnecessary commitments, or things that drain your energy. Protecting your peace is just as important as being productive.

4. Schedule “Worry Time”

Sounds weird, but hear me out. If your brain loves to stress over things at the worst times (like when you’re trying to sleep), set aside a specific time in your day to think about those worries. Give yourself 10–15 minutes to acknowledge them, then move on. You’ll be surprised how much this helps keep anxiety in check.

5. Create Routines That Give Your Brain a Break

Having a few non-negotiable habits—like a morning coffee ritual, an afternoon walk, or a quiet moment before bed—creates structure. It gives your brain less to think about, which means less decision fatigue. Simple routines = fewer mental tabs open.

6. Practice Mindfulness (In a Way That Works for You)

You don’t have to meditate for an hour to clear your mind. Sometimes, just taking deep breaths, listening to music, or even sitting in silence for a few minutes can reset your brain. The goal is to be present instead of lost in a spiral of overthinking.

Decluttering Emotional Baggage

Physical mess is easy to spot. Emotional clutter? Not so much. It lingers quietly in the background—old regrets, unresolved feelings, grudges, self-doubt—all piling up like unseen dust in the corners of your mind. And if you don’t deal with it, it weighs you down, draining your energy without you even realizing it.

Letting go of emotional baggage isn’t as simple as cleaning out a closet. You can’t just toss feelings into a donation bin and call it a day. But what you can do is make space for healing, peace, and a lighter heart. Here’s how:

1. Acknowledge What’s Weighing You Down

Sometimes, we carry things for so long that we don’t even realize the burden they’ve become. Is it resentment toward someone? Guilt over something you wish you handled differently? Fear of failing? Whatever it is, name it. You can’t declutter what you refuse to face.

2. Let Go of Grudges (For Your Own Sanity)

Holding onto anger is like keeping a broken item you never use—it serves no purpose except to take up space. Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing what happened; it means deciding it no longer controls you. And honestly? It’s more for your peace than anyone else’s.

3. Stop Carrying What’s Not Yours to Hold

Not every problem is yours to fix. Not every opinion about you is worth stressing over. And not everyone’s approval is necessary. Learn to separate what’s yours to carry from what you’ve been unnecessarily picking up.

4. Talk It Out or Write It Down

Bottling up emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it just makes them louder in your head. Whether it’s venting to a friend, talking to a therapist, or just journaling your thoughts, expressing emotions helps release them. Sometimes, putting things into words is the first step to letting them go. Not everyone gets my bluntness, but honestly, that’s just how I process things. I don’t sugarcoat—I let it out. And as Shrek wisely said, better out than in. 😂

5. Set Emotional Boundaries

Emotional clutter often comes from absorbing too much negativity—other people’s drama, toxic relationships, or even the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves. Protect your peace. Say no. Distance yourself when needed. Your mental and emotional space is just as valuable as your physical space.

6. Accept That Some Things Won’t Have Closure

Not every situation comes with a neat ending. Sometimes, apologies never come. Some people will never understand your side. And some wounds heal without answers.

7. Make Room for Joy

Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things—it’s about making space for what matters. The same goes for emotions. Letting go of emotional baggage creates room for happiness, gratitude, and lighter days. And honestly? That’s worth every bit of effort.

Final Thoughts

Clutter—whether it’s in your home, your mind, or your heart—has a way of creeping in quietly until it feels normal. But it doesn’t have to be. Clearing space is about making room for peace, focus, and the things that truly matter. Start small, be consistent, and give yourself grace in the process. A little effort each day adds up, and before you know it, you’ll feel the difference.