Intentional Living: Declutter Your Way to Alignment
As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign. One of the best ways to do this is by decluttering—not just your physical space but also your energy and mindset.
If you’re anything like me, the start of a new year brings a sense of renewal and possibility. It’s an invitation to shake off the old and make space for what’s truly important. So, grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s talk about how decluttering can help you create a fresh start this year.
Why Decluttering Matters
Everything in your space carries energy. If you’re surrounded by items that are broken, unused, or tied to negative memories, they can create stagnant energy that blocks the flow of new opportunities. Decluttering is about more than just tidying up—it’s about creating an environment that supports your goals, values, and well-being.
When you let go of things that no longer serve you, you’re making room for new energy to flow in. It’s a powerful step toward alignment and clarity, both in your home and your life.
Start with Your Values
Before diving into decluttering, take a moment to reflect on your values. What truly matters to you? Is it family, connection, beauty, or simplicity? Let your values guide your decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
For example, if beauty is a core value, you might focus on creating a home filled with meaningful, high-quality items like unique artwork or antiques that bring you joy every time you see them. If simplicity is important, you might prioritise clearing out clutter and focusing on minimalist living.
If you’re unsure about your values, I’ve created a free Values Workbook to help you get started.
Tips for Decluttering with Intention
Start Small:
Begin with one area—your closet, a single drawer, or your car. Breaking the process into manageable areas can make it less overwhelming.Identify Energy Blockers:
Look for items that carry negative energy. These could be broken objects, gifts from someone you’re no longer close to, or items that remind you of a difficult time. For instance, that vase your ex-partner bought or the dress you haven’t worn in years because it doesn’t fit anymore—it’s time to let them go.Decide What to Do With It:
Rehome It: If the item is still in good condition, consider donating or selling it. Just make sure it’s something someone else would actually want.
Recycle or Dispose: If it’s broken or beyond repair, it’s time to let it go responsibly.
4. Be Mindful of New Purchases:
Avoid filling the space you’ve cleared with more unnecessary items. Consider secondhand options like Facebook Marketplace or antique stores. I’ve found incredible bargains for my kids’ clothing and unique treasures for my home this way.5. Refresh the Energy in Your Home:
Open the windows, let in sunlight, and allow fresh air to flow. You can also use clearing sprays or techniques like reiki to shift the energy in your space.
My Personal Decluttering Journey
Over the years, I’ve made some intentional shifts in how I approach clutter and consumption. Here are a few examples:
No More Gift-Giving: My husband and I stopped exchanging birthday and Christmas gifts years ago. Instead, we save that money for meaningful investments, like artwork we both love. This has transformed our home into a gallery of unique, beautiful pieces that bring us joy every day.
Shopping Secondhand: When my kids were younger, I bought most of their clothes secondhand. Kids grow so fast, and it felt so good to save money while reducing waste. Plus, they’d wear the same thing for daycare, and I didn’t have to worry about paint or mud ruining brand-new outfits.
Sharing Kids Clothing With Friends: My best friend and I had kids on alternate years, which created a creative solution when it came to clothing them! Instead of buying brand new clothes for their whole wardrobe, we would pass down the sizes of clothes as the kids grew into each one. Each season we would swap out the next box of clothing. Anything new we would purchase for different special events would be added in, so each kid would have newer clothes to wear alongside the older ones for daycare or playing around the house. It worked amazingly well and saved us a LOT of money!
Antique Finds: I adore browsing antique shops for treasures that reflect my values and the rustic charm of country living. From vintage ornaments to timeless decor, these items add character and history to my home.
Simplified Gift-Giving: For family holidays, we use a gift exchange platform like Elfster. This reduces waste and ensures that everyone gets something they genuinely want or need.
Investing in Experiences: Instead of physical gifts, we also opt to gift experiences like a Sydney Harbour cruise, hot air balloon rides, fancy restaurants or even a "smash room" session for stress relief. These create memories that last much longer than any item ever could. You can find so many different unique ideas, we buy ours via Red Balloon.
Make Space for What Matters
Decluttering isn’t just about physical space; it’s about aligning your energy with your intentions. By letting go of the old, you’re creating room for new opportunities, deeper connections, and a life that truly feels aligned with who you are.
So, my challenge to you is this: take some time this month to declutter. Start with one small area, reflect on your values, and let go of what no longer serves you. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter and more energised you feel.
They key is though - learn the lesson! If you didn’t ever end up using the item, ask yourself - “why”? What mood were you in when you bought it? Did someone talk you into it? Was it because of a pushy salesperson, or because of the excitement that it was ‘on sale’? Was it from a place of lack or fear? Are you finding yourself always needing to replace your clothes because they weren’t made properly? Becoming aware of why you purchased something you didn’t ever use or why you are needing to constantly replace the same thing will help you the next time you find yourself in that situation again. Learning the lesson is key to growth when it comes to over-consumption, unnecessary spending and wastage. Either go without it, find an alternative, find it secondhand, borrow it, rent it OR save up and buy one that is much better quality and will last for many seasons to come (goodbye fast fashion, hello classics!).
Resources
Free Values Workbook: Define your values and use them as a guide for decluttering and living intentionally.
Clearing Spray: Refresh the energy in your home with my favourite clearing spray, available on my website.
I hope this post inspires you to embrace a fresh start and make space for what truly matters. If you’ve got questions or want to share your decluttering journey, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Here’s to a year of alignment, connection, and intentional living.
With love,
Kate
