Decluttering isn’t just about tossing stuff out. It’s a sacred act of letting go of the past and creating space. Space for new opportunities, new energy and your future.

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Think about the last time you cleared your kitchen. All of a sudden you wanted to try new recipes, meal plan, get organized. You wanted to be in the space you cleared. You physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically felt a difference.

Everything you own holds energy

Every single thing you own holds energy. The things you no longer need hold a stagnant energy, and your subconscious picks up on that all the time. Stagnant energy literally makes us stagnant.

It’s why you can’t get out of bed when it’s too messy. Why you can’t get motivated or make it to the gym. And it’s why, when your space is clear, you suddenly feel like a new person. “I’m going to go back to Pilates. I’m going to eat healthy. I’m going to be different.” You’re creating space for new.

What if you lived in that? What if you always felt supported by your space, and always knew how to clear old, stagnant things out of your way, physically and metaphorically, whenever you needed a fresh start?

You can’t receive the new while the old holds its space

There’s a saying I see floating around a lot: you can’t get the new thing you’re calling in until you let go of what’s currently holding its space. Women talk about it with dating. You’re holding onto a situationship as a placeholder because you’re afraid to be alone, and it’s blocking the partner you actually want.

Your home works the same way. When there’s stuff everywhere, there’s literally not enough space for what you want. The time to work on your business, the time to be present with your kids, the hobby you want to pick back up. Old energy everywhere clogs your home, your mind and your energy.

The old study I used to reference all the time, from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families, found that the more clutter in a home, the higher the cortisol. More clutter, more stress hormones, and women were more affected than men. Holding onto things you don’t need keeps that stress loop running and makes it harder to focus and move forward.

Stagnant breeds stagnant. Clear breeds clarity.

What feng shui taught me about clutter

When I studied feng shui, the part that stuck with me most was this: objects hold the energy of their history. Things you no longer need or love can create stagnant chi, stuck energy that blocks the flow of abundance, money, opportunities and positivity.

Think about the little black dress you loved before kids. Your body has changed, you’ve become a mother, and you’re still holding onto it like it’s the standard you’re supposed to fit. That dress is blocking love and acceptance for your body as it is now, and for who you’ve become.

That’s one dress. Now think about everything in your home.

It’s also why some of us can’t focus when our space is cluttered. If my room isn’t clean and my desk isn’t clear, I can’t get in flow, because there’s a lack of flow in the space.

How to declutter with intention

Set an intention for the space first

This has always been the first step, and it’s in the Declutter Like a Mother book. Before you start, ask:

• What do I want to use this space for? Not what the house says it’s supposed to be. What do I need it for?
• What do I want to make space for in this room?
• What kind of energy do I want here when I walk in and do life in this space?

This shifts decluttering from a chore into a practice of alignment and creation. You’re aligning your space with what you deserve and how you want to feel.

It also makes decisions so much easier. When you’re not sure whether to keep something, ask whether it fits your intention for the space. If not, why keep it? Or at least, maybe it belongs somewhere else.

Affirm yourself as you release the hard things

You don’t need to do this for every dried-out pen. But when something was special, or holds a memory you haven’t fully healed from, acknowledge it. Things hold energy and bring up memories. As you let go, try:

• I release what no longer serves me.
• I welcome peace and abundance into my life.
• I’m so grateful I get to create space for new.
• This item has served its purpose, and I let it go with gratitude.

Decluttering is emotional for a lot of people, and it can keep you stuck for a long time. Honoring that makes the process powerful.

Visualize it done

Before you start, close your eyes and picture the room clear and peaceful. See it as if it’s already done. Imagine walking in and feeling joy and calm. Let that vision guide your actions. “This is the space the next-level version of me lives in, and I’m going to get it there because I’m worthy and I love myself enough.”

This isn’t about a clean, impressive, picture-perfect space. It’s about self-worth and honoring yourself.

Start small

Pick one little space that’s been bugging you. A drawer, a shelf, your nightstand. Set an intention before you begin. I even do this for the junk drawer, which really should be a resource drawer, the place for things you need to grab quickly.

Notice how much easier decisions get and how much better it feels when you clear yourself as you clear your space.

Want the science behind why this feels so good? Read how clutter affects your mental load.

Want to go deeper? Come to my free class, Stop Starting Over: 5 Steps to Becoming the Woman Who Follows Through.

Watch the full episode of The Purpose Show here.