The Messy, Wonderful Truth About Decluttering

07 Mar 2026 52 views

I Tried Marie Kondoing My Life and It Went Completley Sideways

Look, I get it. Everyone’s talking about decluttering. Marie Kondo, the KonMari method, the minimalists—it’s all the rage. But let me tell you, my journey into this world was a hot mess. And honestly? I’m not even sorry about it.

It started about three months ago. I was at my sister’s place in Seattle, and her apartment was spotless. I mean, spotless. No dust bunnies, no random junk drawers, no piles of old magazines. Just… clean lines and open spaces. I felt physically ill. How does she do it? I asked her. She just smiled and said, ‘It’s all about the committment, Sarah.’

Challenge accepted.

Round One: The Clothes

First up, clothes. Marie says to hold each item and see if it ‘sparks joy.’ Okay, fine. I started with my socks. I held up a pair of striped socks I got from some ex-boyfriend—let’s call him Marcus—and thought, ‘Does this spark joy?’ No. It sparked regret. And a mild allergic reaction, because apparently I never washed them. Out they went.

But then I hit a snag. My concert tees. You know, the ones from that time I saw Radiohead in ’98 and swears it was the best night of my life? I held up the shirt, and bam—joy. But then I thought about the state of my closet, and the joy turned into guilt. ‘Maybe I should donate them,’ I thought. But then I imagined some stranger wearing my precious Radiohead tee, and I got physically angry.

So, they stayed. All 27 of them.

The Kitchen: Where Dreams Go to Die

Next, the kitchen. Oh boy. I have a drawer. A drawer of… things. I don’t know what half these things are. There’s a gadget that looks like a combination of a garlic press and a torture device. There’s a spoon with a weird bend in it. There’s a tiny pair of scissors I swear I’ve never used in my life.

I held up the garlic press thingy. Did it spark joy? I’m not sure but maybe. I mean, I love garlic. But do I love this weird, never-used gadget? Probably not. Out it went.

But then I found my grandmother’s old rolling pin. It’s wooden, a little worn, and it’s seen better days. But it’s been in my family for generations. Joy? Absolutely. It stayed.

And that’s when I realized something important. Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. It’s about keeping the things that matter. The things with stories. The things that make you feel something.

The Digital Detox That Wasn’t

Then I decided to tackle my digital life. Emails, photos, apps—oh my. I started with my emails. I had 8,743 unread messages. EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY-THREE. I don’t know how that happened. I mean, I’m not a robot. I read emails. Sometimes.

I started deleting. Spam, old newsletters, notifications from apps I hadn’t used since 2014. It felt good. I was making progress. Until I hit a snag. A folder labeled ‘Important.’ I opened it, and there were emails from my old boss, Dave, from when I worked at that marketing firm in Austin. Emails about projects, about deadlines, about… well, I don’t know, I didn’t read them.

I hesitated. Should I delete them? They were old. They didn’t spark joy. But what if I needed them someday? What if there was some crucial piece of information in there that I’d regret losing? I mean, I’m not sure but maybe.

So, I left them. All 214 of them.

When Decluttering Goes Rogue

And that’s when things went off the rails. I decided to declutter my relationships. I know, I know. That’s not what Marie meant. But hear me out. I had a friend—let’s call her Lisa—who was always negative. Always complaining, always bringing me down. So, I cut her off. Cold turkey.

And you know what? It felt amazing. For about a week. Then I started feeling guilty. I mean, she’s been my friend since high school. She’s been there for me through thick and thin. Just because she’s going through a rough patch doesn’t mean I should abandon her.

So, I texted her. Apologized. We met for coffee at that place on 5th, and we talked. And you know what? It was good. Really good. She’s still negative sometimes, but that’s okay. She’s my friend.

Decluttering relationships isn’t about cutting people out. It’s about making room for the ones that matter. The ones that spark joy. Even if they drive you crazy sometimes.

The One Thing I Actually Succeeded At

But there was one area where I actually succeeded. My smartwatch collection. I know, I know. It’s a weird hobby. But I love them. I love tracking my steps, my heart rate, my sleep. It’s like having a tiny, digital personal trainer on my wrist.

But I had a problem. I had too many. I had the latest models, the older ones, the ones I bought on sale just because they were cheap. I had a drawer full of them. And honestly, it was getting out of hand.

So, I did some research. I looked at reviews, compared features, and made some tough decisions. I kept my favorites, the ones that did exactly what I needed them to do. The rest? I sold them. Or gave them to friends. Or, in one case, donated them to a local tech recycling program.

And you know what? It felt good. Really good. I didn’t feel overwhelmed anymore. I didn’t feel like I had to keep up with every new release. I just had the ones I loved. The ones that sparked joy.

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The Messy Truth

So, here’s the thing. Decluttering isn’t about perfection. It’s not about having a spotless apartment or a perfectly organized digital life. It’s about making room for the things that matter. The things that bring you joy. The things that make you feel alive.

And sometimes, that means keeping the concert tees. Or the emails from your old boss. Or even the friend who’s going through a rough patch. Because life is messy. And that’s okay.

So, go ahead. Declutter. But do it on your own terms. Do it in a way that makes sense for you. And if you end up with a drawer full of weird gadgets or a closet full of concert tees? That’s okay too. Because at the end of the day, it’s your life. And it’s gonna be messy. And wonderful.

And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a lifestyle writer and self-proclaimed decluttering failure. When she’s not writing, she’s probably watching Netflix, eating pizza, or arguing with her sister about whose turn it is to do the dishes. She lives in Seattle with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and a collection of concert tees that she swears she’ll wear again someday.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of adulthood, you might find comfort in embracing the chaos of growing up and learning to enjoy the messy, glorious journey.

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