The Case for Decluttering (But Not in a Boring Way)
Confession #368: Let’s be honest—most of us love the idea of decluttering, but the actual process? A bit like trying to put a toddler to bed without them requesting 14 snacks, five extra books, and a deep existential chat about the moon.
And yet, there’s something about a well-curated space that just feels better. Not in a clinical, empty-shelves-and-white-linen kind of way, but in a way that makes your home yours. Lived-in, layered, beautiful—filled with things that tell a story rather than just taking up space.
So, let’s talk about decluttering. Not the “throw everything in a bin bag and pretend it never existed” approach. Not the “hold it in your hands and wait for a lightning bolt of joy” method, either (because, honestly, some things don’t spark joy, but they do keep your life running—looking at you, laundry basket). Instead, let’s chat about how to curate a home that feels good—without sacrificing personality, comfort, or that perfect handmade mug collection.
Step One: The ‘Do I Love It or Do I Tolerate It?’ Test
You know that vase that’s been sitting on your shelf for years? The one you kind of like but mostly just have? That’s the stuff I’m talking about. The things that are fine but not great. The pieces that take up space without giving anything back.
If you wouldn’t go out of your way to save it in a house fire (or even a minor I-left-the-candle-on-too-long panic), maybe it’s time to let it go. Instead, surround yourself with things that make your heart do a little happy dance. Handmade ceramics that fit perfectly in your palm. Art that makes you pause. A bookshelf filled with books you actually love, not just ones that make you look intellectual.
Step Two: Prioritise Pieces with a Story
Mass-produced homewares? They have their place (mainly in emergency IKEA trips when you just need a lamp that works). But the soul of a home comes from the objects that have history—whether it’s a ceramic mug made by a local potter (hi, that’s me), a handwoven blanket from a market in your travels, or the slightly wonky but deeply beloved sculpture your child made in preschool.
Objects with a story add texture to a space. They make your home feel like you, not just another catalogue spread.
Step Three: Let Go of the ‘One Day’ Mentality
The One Day pile is real. You know the one—candles you’re saving for a special occasion (burn them), fancy teacups that only come out when guests visit (use them), that dress you’re waiting to fit into again (let’s not).
Life is now. If something isn’t serving you in this moment, ask yourself if it ever will. If the answer is a vague, maybe in 10 years when I finally learn to play the ukulele, let it go.
Step Four: Think About How You Want Your Home to Feel
Forget about what you own for a second. Instead, think about how you want your space to feel. Light? Warm? Inviting? Like a cosy bookshop where the owner knows your name and always has the kettle on?
Then, start shaping your home around that feeling. Keep the things that align with it. Let go of the things that don’t.
Step Five: Replace ‘Stuff’ With Meaningful Experiences
Instead of filling your home with more, think about filling your time with better. Take a pottery workshop (I know a good one). Spend a morning rearranging your favourite things, so you actually see them. Make space—not just physically, but mentally—for what truly matters.
Because at the end of the day, decluttering isn’t about having less. It’s about having better. More meaning, more beauty, more space to breathe.
So go ahead. Light that candle. Use that teacup. Make room for what you love. And if you’re looking for a piece that’s not just stuff, but a story? You know where to find me.
Until next time,
Your friendly homebody potter from Murrumbateman.
