Spontaneous Decluttering: Flipping the Script on Traditional Decluttering Methods

Picture of a white desk with a green plant in a wooden pot, a set of books, a notebook with a black pen and a pair of headphones resting on a headphone stand from Ikea.
Courtesy of Quirky Essence

Often, we think that we must go the traditional route of decluttering. While there isn’t anything wrong with these methods and routes, they don’t always work for everyone. So, here’s my approach to creating a system that embraces spontaneous ways of decluttering to transform your oasis space with openness, improvisation and energy.

Prioritize Items that Bring You Joy

The first is to prioritize items that bring you joy, inspiration and positive energy. Keep these items as they are your source for what makes you happy and creates an uplifting space. It can be candles, books, photographs, blankets, or anything that uplifts you.  There are even digital photo frames that you can get that feature a collection and you may look up and see a picture that triggers a memory that makes you smile and so forth.

Be Spontaneous

Second, you don’t always have to plan for a decluttering day or time. Allow spontaneity to guide you. This not only prevents fatigue and dread of having to do this, but it also leads you to organize an area that needs attention on the spot. For example, if you know that there are a couple of eating spaces that you or your family often enjoy eating at. Why not have space for coasters in these areas? No, you don’t have to necessarily go out and buy any. Use what you have. This way less cleanup is necessary to save precious time.

Dynamic Organization Examples

Or you have areas where you like to read and journal, but you have so many notebooks and books stacked up at a time. How about organizing the space on the spot by shelving the books you don’t read often and placing only those you do or new ones in this space? And I just thought about it, organizing books goes the same for digital clutter: For books, the Libby App which is used to access books from local libraries has a space where you can check out books currently reading and has a space where you tag or create wish lists for future books you want to read. This is helpful in not seeing twelve books on your shelf at a time so you won’t get overwhelmed. Another good example is for children’s toys, having a space in the living room where you can place their toys in an ottoman for peace of mind while you’re cooking or working. Again, this is a dynamic way to keep decluttering fresh and exciting.

Organic Organization

Third, let items organize themselves organically. For example, there are a few places in my home where I love to read and write. I have a place where my gel pens live. I love a gel pen ya’ll. There are a set of pens and small writing pads or index cards in each of these areas when I want to jot things down. This way I know where these items are at all times. I don’t have to run looking for them as these items are in a cute mug that’s out of the way and blends in with my furniture. The question to ask yourself is where you use these items most frequently.

Even having a cute glass or cup holder of water by your reading desk or end table or by your bed. Have those items there so you won’t have to keep getting up for water in the middle of the night. Or dusting your computer. Why have it in some far-off place in a cabinet somewhere when you can easily have it near your desk? You can even put things like a microfiber cloth or Q-tips in a cute glass or container to quickly dust off your computer. Make it easy to access.

Energize Your Space

Fourth, focus on the energy that you want your space to give off. I have this saying ‘whatever I bring in something else must go out’. I would also add that before even bringing anything in I consider what energy this will bring or disturb. Everything that I have must be in harmony with what I love about my space. For example, I love the smell of the spa relaxing. I love the smell of lavender. I love bringing in carnations pinks and the artificial colored blues because it reminds me of blue skies one of my favorite things.

Emotional Categorization

Fifth, I love the sorting method, but as I stated earlier it doesn’t work for everyone so instead focus on categorizing items by the emotions you feel upon seeing them. Do you feel empowered, nostalgic, freeing? Prioritize these emotions. This way you’re giving the item a unique emotional value. These objects create depth or completeness in your space so that you won’t feel the need to constantly go out and buy stuff.

So, these are just a few ways to transform your space for spontaneity, positive energy flow and emotional resilience. without going the traditional route. Remember that it’s all about how you want to feel in your space.