Decluttering Your Life and Your Office

“Does this object bring me joy?” I asked myself as I held up an item, deliberating on whether to keep it or part with it.

More often than not, my response resounded, “Yes!”

This familiar inquiry, popularized by Marie Kondo in the context of home decluttering, echoed in my mind. It became a recurring mantra as Kirsti, my minimalist Gen Z daughter, descended upon our home to streamline and eliminate surplus (note the careful choice of “unneeded” over “unwanted”) possessions in anticipation of the arrival of guests. 

I must confess the process was painful.

“Mom, do you need three study desks in the library now that your kids have graduated and left the nest for over a decade? We’ll be listing two of them on Facebook Marketplace. Which one would you like to keep?”

“Ohhh….k,” I answered with a hint of resignation. “If you believe it’s necessary.” 

I knew she was right. Yet, after twenty-eight years in this home, I’d grown accustomed to this “stuff” around the house. While I pride myself on periodically decluttering, she wielded a surgeon’s knife, conducting a thorough operation on each room.

Painful? Yes! Still need these items?  No!

Embracing the simplicity of parting with unneeded possessions brought fresh air once the task was complete. While these items once brought me joy, I can now release them to someone who may find them helpful or necessary. 

It was disheartening to discover that those sturdy desks we diligently listed on FB Marketplace eventually left our home only when offered for free. However, the upside is that they found a new home, transforming our library into a beautiful and spacious haven. The once-upstairs area rug now graces this room, where I thoroughly enjoy working while gazing out the window.

I held onto emotions tied to my children and the memories associated with each item in our home. By acknowledging and sharing those memories, I found the ability to let go of the object with a heart full of gratitude. After all, who wants to burden our children with sorting through all this stuff when we’re gone? The truth is—they don’t want it.

It may be challenging to part with certain items, but when you’re finished, I hope your words echo Marie Kondo’s and my experience: “Joy is simple yet powerful.”

So, how does this apply to Christian writers, speakers, and leaders?  Follow these simple steps to move forward in your ministry:

• Decide on a date to do this time-consuming task.

• Sort office closet and file cabinet contents into three categories: Keep, Donate, and Discard outdated or redundant documents and paperwork:

• Organize the items you decide to keep for easy access. 

• Divide the donation pile into items to sell, give to individuals, or donate to an organization.

• Open a large trash bag. Anticipate more treasures are destined for the “goodbye bin”
  than for the “forever drawer!” 

Bonus Tip: If you’re finding it tough to let go because of emotional attachment or fear of regret, find a friend who is good at minimizing. Ask that person to help you sort through each room and let go of outdated and unnecessary items.

Decluttering is a personal process, and what might be easy for one person to let go of could be more challenging for another. The key is to be honest with yourself about each item’s usefulness and emotional value.

The freedom I found in letting go of things that could benefit others brought me unexpected joy. The experience of “decluttering” revealed needed space in my home office. Instead of dwelling on things I didn’t want to let go of, I focused on how they could help someone else.

It felt like a new beginning.  Isaiah 43:19 NLT says, “For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?”

Yes, decluttering brought me joy! However, it’s not solely about parting with specific items, furniture, or personal belongings in my office, closet, or bookshelf. 

The true joy lies in the simplicity it brings to my life.

Question:  What is the most challenging part of decluttering your office?  What is one thing you know it’s time to let go of?