Decluttering Isn’t Something I Do, It’s Who I Am

If there’s one thing I have always disliked, it’s clutter. If you live with me, and you’re disorganised, trust me, we will definitely not agree with each other. I wonder how some people can live with a little mess around them, like a friend I know. No wonder thousands of rats had made her home their refuge. They were jumping out from different corners the day she eventually decided to clean her room for the first time in three years that I have known her. How did she live in such a room for that long time?

A scattered room with no space to breathe makes me feel fringed and uncomfortable. I used to feel like I was so dirty when I saw a mess around. I like things simple, neat and in their right place.

My decluttering strategy is simple, and I don’t feel overwhelmed by it. I start small until everything is done. Small wins build momentum.

What I do is focus on each area at a time, which allows me to take rest in between instead of trying to do everything at once without breaks. I believe in no rushing when decluttering. I don’t wait until the end of the month or even do it once in a while to clean my room. My room is small, and it’s easy to take each area one at a time.

There was a time I had books piled up on the table, and there was no space. Every time I looked at the books, I felt guilty. Books are always scattered, including the ones I do not need at that moment. I actually planned on reading them all, but you see, I cannot read everything at the same time.

Decluttering helps me face the reality: I don’t have to keep them sitting on the table every time; I can only enjoy what truly matters. So, I took out the ones that weren’t useful while the essentials were kept.

I do the same for areas beside my bed. Looking at this picture, the space feels cozy and simple with the things I need at the moment neatly arranged. You can never find my room messy, even if you come unannounced, because I declutter almost every day. It’s who I am and not something I do just because I feel it’s the right way to live.

I love to breathe well, smell good, and for my room to have a pleasant odour. My strategy is to start small - begin with the shelves around the bed where items pile up quickly. A few days ago, I had to remove some empty bottles while refilling some with beverages I use. I only keep what I use daily and store away those that aren’t needed for the time being, and sometimes, I give most away since I won’t be needing them anymore.

My laptop, a few books and daily essentials are useful and they are what I see and use every day. The same strategy I use for my kitchen.

In summary, I learned to declutter in zones, starting small. First, the table, the shelf, the bed, the kitchen and lastly the floor. Step by step, the room becomes less overwhelming and looks like what you see in the pictures. The more I cleared my room, the more I created breathing space. I didn’t see it as emptiness, but a way of letting peace in.

_{Images are mine}