What’s one thing that aligns with the holidays? Many may say it is the idea of gathering with family, shopping, or scrolling through social media to look for what’s happening. Well, contrary to this, what some of us readily accept – it’s also the idea of buckling up – and making sure that the house looks spick and span.
There’s so much to be said about ‘decluttering’ not only during the festive days but also as a regular habit. Many of us are working, and some are at home, but this responsibility is certainly for everyone.
People often say that mental well-being is linked to your physical space – if your home is clean, your mind feels calmer. Why do some feel overwhelmed when they see piles of stuff in their homes?
Shelina Jokhiya, Founder of DeCluttr Me, explains that when people are surrounded by clutter, it can feel like their brains are constantly being bombarded with visual noise.
“Every item in the pile represents a decision waiting to be made—what to keep, what to let go of, and where to put it. This sense of unfinished business creates mental stress because our brains naturally associate clutter with incomplete tasks, which can weigh on us more heavily than we realize. I often describe it as a clutter cloud hanging over your head, blocking out clarity and peace of mind” she remarked.
The emotional impact of clutter goes even deeper:
Shelina believes it can trigger feelings of guilt or shame, especially when people feel they’ve lost control of their space. There’s a lot about societal expectations as well on having tidy homes. Here’s how you can start from small [scratch] and make everything fall in place this festive season.
“Instead of trying to tackle an entire room or house, focus on a single drawer, a shelf, or one corner of the space. Spend just 15–20 minutes on a mini-declutter session. It’s amazing how much progress you can make in that time, and those small wins add up quickly. They build momentum and boost your confidence, helping to reduce the sense of being overwhelmed,” she noted.
Once the baby step is done, here’s how it goes:
By taking things step by step and reframing decluttering as a manageable task, one can gradually clear away both the physical clutter and the mental fog that comes with it: “And as that clutter cloud starts to lift, you’ll likely notice your energy levels, mood, and overall sense of calm improving too.”
Jokhiya believes that decluttering before Christmas is one of the ‘best gifts people can give themselves’, as it makes their home feel calmer and allows them to actually enjoy the season without stressing over the mess.
Some Christmas declutter tips you may need:
Pre-Christmas Purge: Go through decorations, gifts from previous years, or items in storage that you no longer use. If they’ve been sitting untouched, it’s time to donate or recycle them.
Gift-Focused Decluttering: Before the influx of Christmas presents, encourage the family to clear out items they no longer need, especially toys, books, or clothes. Frame it as making space for new blessings.
Declutter Decorations: Take out only the decorations you truly love this year. If some items remain in the box for another year, it might be time to let them go.
Focus on Essentials: Make a festive season checklist of must-haves—like wrapping supplies, serving dishes, and party essentials. Declutter the kitchen or storage areas to ensure you’re only keeping what you’ll actually use.
Involve the Family: Make it a fun activity! Turn on Christmas music, grab some hot chocolate, and declutter together. When everyone is involved, the process becomes less of a chore and more of a bonding moment.
Decluttering during the holidays is all about keeping things simple so you can focus on what really matters—spending time with loved ones.
