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We often see decluttering as a purely physical task. When we talk about it, we talk about sorting items and cleaning spaces—things that are tactile and visible.
But there is a deeply emotional side to decluttering that often gets ignored.
The process of decluttering is not just about stuff that we find in our beds, closets, cabinets, etc. It can also be about our hearts and minds. After all, it is not only the house that gets cluttered. Sometimes—and more than that for some people—the mind gets cluttered too, filled with haphazard thoughts, absurd imaginings, and whatever else.
For many, a cluttered home is a sign of a cluttered inner life—it is often said that the outer world reflects the inner world. Facing this possibility can bring up fear, sadness, and stress.
This is a key part of the challenge of creating a peaceful home.
The Hidden Feelings in Our Homes
The emotional side of decluttering starts with why we keep things in the first place. As people, we so easily form strong bonds with our possessions. Thus, letting go can feel like a loss; therefore, we try to fight to keep our things—even if they’re no longer usable or their very presence has become a liability.
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Joanne Radke understands this well, sharing, “Letting go is so hard as we become attached to our things without even realizing why. Sometimes, it is sentimental, and sometimes, it’s emotional or even psychological.”
This emotional attachment to possessions is powerful and difficult to rein in. An old gift from a loved one or a child’s drawing can feel like a part of us, and getting rid of these items can feel like we are erasing the memory or the person themselves.
This is a significant part of the emotional side of decluttering. We should understand that this is not about being messy, but is more about an attempt to hold on to feelings that we cherish.
When Clutter Hides Insecurity and Feeds Anxiety
For some, clutter is a shield; it can be a physical barrier that helps hide mental stress. Insecurity and clutter often go together because a house that is full—or seems full—can make a person feel safe or in control.
Joanne talks about her own struggles with clutter in her book.
She grew up with a father who was a hoarder, someone who almost never threw anything away, opting instead to keep it, regardless of whatever condition it was in. She saw firsthand how hard it was to let things go. This habit often stems from a fear of not having enough and having too much to lose.
This fear often metastasizes to decluttering anxiety. The thought of cleaning out a closet or a room can cause real panic in some people. What if I need this later? What if I make a mistake? This anxiety can be so strong that it stops people from even thinking about discarding things.
It is a fear of the empty space and what it might mean.
The Weight of Guilt and Decluttering
Another heavy feeling that comes with decluttering is guilt. Guilt and decluttering are closely linked—this ties in with the idea that we feel a strong attachment to our possessions.
We feel guilty for spending money on things we seldom or never use, guilty for wanting to give away a gift, and guilty for having too much when others have so little.
Joanne suggests a prayerful approach through this:
“Father God, forgive me for being a hoarder of stuff… Help me let go of the things I don’t need or use. Help me to be willing to give it away joyfully to those who can’t afford it.”
By turning guilt into giving, we can change the story. We can see our excess as a way to help someone else, shifting the emotional side of decluttering from a negative feeling to a positive action.
The Mental Benefits of Decluttering
While the journey is hard, the reward is great. The mental benefits of decluttering can be life-changing. A clear space leads to a clear mind. “Clear your clutter, clear your mind.”
When the environment around us is in order, our thoughts can become more orderly. The stress of constant mess melts away. You can breathe easier. You can think clearly.
It creates room for peace.
This is one of the biggest mental benefits of decluttering. Joanne encourages creating a calm space.
“Declutter a space in our living area or bedroom that is peaceful and pleasing to our eyes and inner being.”
This peaceful spot becomes your refuge from the chaos of the world.
A New Relationship with Your Stuff
The goal is not to have nothing. The goal is to have what matters.
Understanding the emotional side of decluttering helps us make better choices. We learn to keep what brings us joy and let go of what holds us back.
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Joanne gives practical advice for sentimental items. Instead of keeping everything, she says, “Choose one sentimental item per person and look for a special way to put it on display.”
This is a far more practical way of honoring the memory without letting the past take over our present. It respects our emotional attachment to possessions while still moving forward.
Your Journey Through the Emotional Side of Decluttering
The emotional side of decluttering is a path to a lighter, happier you. It is about less than having a tidy house—although that’s important too—and is about healing your heart.
It is about letting go of fear, guilt, and anxiety to make space for peace, gratitude, and joy.
You do not have to walk this path alone. Joanne “Gram” Radke’s Why Is My House Always a Mess? is a compassionate, 30-day guide that walks with you through both the practical and the emotional side of decluttering.
With daily encouragement, prayer, and actionable steps, Gram helps you take back control of your home and your heart.
Ready to start your journey to a peaceful home? Buy Gram’s book today and discover the freedom that comes from decluttering your space and your soul.
- The Emotional Side of Decluttering that No One Talks About - November 25, 2025
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