Six tips to declutter your home (and mind)

Ever notice how a messy room makes your brain feel equally chaotic? There's actual truth to the saying “a clean house is a clean mind". When you organise your home, it creates space for your thoughts to settle, too.

If you need help transforming your home environment and headspace, here are six no-nonsense tips. You’ll be feeling zen in no time, plus, you’ll definitely have more room for activities (if you know, you know).

1. Create a game plan before you dive in

Before you start throwing everything into random piles, create a decluttering checklist. The golden rule? Break things up into three categories:

1. Keep.
2. Donate.
3. Bin.

It sounds simple, because it is. There’s no need for 15 different sorting systems that'll just overwhelm you before you've even started.

Grab three boxes and label them clearly. Or just designate three areas for this step. This system works whether you're tackling a junk drawer or an entire garage. Trust us, having a clear plan will save you from the "where does this go?" paralysis that derails most decluttering attempts.

2. One room at a time (seriously, we mean it)

We know you want to Marie Kondo your entire house in a weekend, but to properly declutter your space, slow and steady wins the race!

Pick one room and commit to finishing it completely before moving on. Start with somewhere that'll give you an instant mood boost – maybe your bedroom or kitchen.

When you see that first space transformed, you'll get the motivation hit you need to tackle the rest.

3. Time yourself and prepare to be amazed

Here's where it gets interesting: set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes and see how much you can accomplish. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can power through that wardrobe or clear out that kitchen cupboard when you're competing against the clock.

This technique works because it makes the task more manageable and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about racing against time while organising your home. It's like gamifying your decluttering process.

4. Look for inspiration

Fire up Pinterest or dive into CleanTok for some serious decluttering motivation. Seeing other people's minimalist living setups and organisation hacks can be incredibly inspiring. Just don’t get lost watching three hours of videos when you could be racking up some decluttering wins.

Set a 10-minute limit for inspiration browsing, screenshot your favourites and then get to work. Use what you've seen to fuel your own decluttering journey. This doesn’t give you an excuse to procrastinate, though.

5. Invite a friend (and make it fun)

Everything's better with a buddy, and decluttering is no exception. Invite a mate over to help you sort through your belongings. They'll give you the honest feedback you need and make the whole process more enjoyable. Make it a proper event:

• order pizza or sushi
• put on a great playlist, and
• turn it into a social activity rather than a chore.

Plus, you can return the favour when they need help organising their home. It's like a workout buddy system, but for minimalist living.

6. Be ruthless

This is where the magic happens. When dealing with a tricky/sentimental item, ask yourself these hard questions:

• When did you last use this?
• Does it bring you joy or just take up space?
• If you haven't touched it in a year, will you miss it?

Be honest about what you actually need versus what you think you might need "someday." The exercise bike that's become a very expensive clothes rack? Time to let it go. Creating a truly organised space means being selective about what earns its place in your home.

The mind-space connection

Just like a digital detox can reclaim your time and energy, physical decluttering can clear your mental bandwidth. When your environment is organised, your mind feels calmer and more focused. It's like giving your brain permission to relax.

Many people find tidier spaces help them feel less stressed and more at ease. So, when you're following this decluttering checklist, you're creating a cleaner space and an environment that supports your mental wellbeing.

Time to celebrate

Once you've mastered decluttering your home and created your minimalist living paradise, it's time for the best part – celebrating your achievement. Why not reward your hard work with some serious relaxation at one of our rest and recovery facilities? After all that organising, your body and mind deserve some premium pampering.