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21 Unexpected Things to Declutter

Minimalist living isn't only about purging your wardrobe. It's not just about packing carry-on only when you travel. It's also about making sure you keep certain things, and leave other things out of the bag you take with you on this journey called life.

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Today I'm sharing 21 unexpected things to edit out of your life.

By ditching these things, you can live with more lightness and enlightenment. More delight and less drama.

What to Declutter:

  1. Chronic stress

  2. Guilt

  3. Your inner critic

  4. Your outer critic

  5. Perfectionism

  6. Blaming

  7. Intolerance

  8. Lying

  9. Resentment

  10. Hate

  11. Chronic self-doubt

  12. Procrastination

  13. Paralyzing fear

  14. Self-pity

  15. Confining conformity

  16. Violent action

  17. Violent communication

  18. Living in another moment that isn't now

  19. Waiting for another time to pursue your dreams

  20. Trying to be someone other than you

  21. Hating on your body (stop right now forever)

The problem with keeping the above around is that they crowd out what you really want. Life is short. Our days are short. There's really not much space for the above things if you want to deeply experience what’s on this next list.

What to Keep for a Fulfilling Life:

  • Love

  • Gratitude

  • Self-care

  • Friends

  • Passion

  • Forgiveness

  • Creativity

  • Empathy

  • Kindness

  • Abundance

  • Delight

  • Serenity

  • Playfulness

  • Honesty

  • Beauty

  • Laughter

  • Compassion

Life's a Short Trip

Advertisers, ego, and pain will try to make you think you need to bring everything on the first list along for the ride of your life, but you don't. That stuff will make your life way too crowded. When it comes down to it, we have 100% responsibility for what we choose to bring with us and what we leave behind. Choose wisely. Curate well.

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Finally, if you haven’t signed up yet for the free 3-Day Decluttering Challenge, you have a chance to do so below. You’ll get a three-day burst of inspiration and instruction, plus The Simple Sunday, my weekly note about editing your life for more joy.

This is an updated version of an earlier post.