On Saturday, I did something radical—I stopped time and cleaned my house. Not just a quick tidy-up… we’re talking full-on deep clean. Drawers emptied, floors mopped, and every corner lovingly restored into order.
Why now? It’s December 14th. Christmas is around the corner, and with it comes gifts, gatherings, and where the heck am I supposed to put everything?! Especially when you have kids.
But this wasn’t just about getting ready for the holidays. This was about taking back my space—my peace. I want to feel good walking through my door, and to welcome people into my home without a single ounce of shame or stress.
Honestly, I’m not sure why I kept putting it off. But one thing’s for certain: when I finally stopped time and gave myself permission to tackle it, the results were transformational. And the feeling? Pure magic.
The Problem: Living and Working in Chaos
Clutter isn’t just visual—it’s emotional, physical, and mental. It drains your energy, stifles creativity, and keeps you from fully showing up in your life and business.
As a creative entrepreneur, I know this all too well. Ideas come from the void—that dark, sweet emptiness where creativity flows freely. When my space is cluttered, it’s like my mind is, too. Piles of stuff hold energy, and not all of it is good.
Take a look around. What’s lingering in your space? Do those items spark joy, or are they tied to memories, people, or projects that just aren’t in alignment with you anymore? If it’s draining you, it’s time to say goodbye.
Decluttering is more than cleaning—it’s a reset. It’s letting go of what no longer serves you to make space for who you’re becoming.
The Solution: Decluttering as a Reset Button
The day after I got home from Costa Rica, I stared at this gorgeous cloth I’d brought back—a colorful swirl of designs with a sloth at the center. It’s massive, impractical, and undeniably me.
But instead of feeling joy, I felt guilty.
Why? Because there wasn’t space for it.
That’s when I realized: before I could embrace The New Me, I had to declutter the old. So I did. And now my sloth tapestry has a home, and I have both time and space to embrace the slow, joyful life I’m designing.
Decluttering creates a reset—a clean slate. And here’s how you can get started.
4 Actionable Tips for Decluttering Your Space
1. Start Small, Build Momentum
Pick one manageable area—a single shelf, desk, or drawer—and tackle it.
If you want a quick win, start at your entryway. This is the first impression your space makes. A chaotic entry sets the tone for a chaotic visit (and a chaotic day). A clean, welcoming entry? Game changer.
Small wins create momentum. Once you see that clean shelf, you’ll want to tackle another… and another… and before you know it, you’re on a roll.
2. Use the “Spark Joy” Test
The Marie Kondo method is pure genius. Hold each item and ask yourself, Does this spark joy? If the answer’s no, let it go.
It’s simple, yet wildly effective.
Take my childhood board game Scotland Yard, for example. I loved it as a kid. But as I stared at the tattered box on my living room shelf, I had to be honest:
- It looks terrible.
- I haven’t played it in years—and with just me and my son, it’s not even playable.
The old me would have stuffed it back in a closet, attached to memories and guilt. The new me said, thank you for the joy you brought, and sent it packing.
3. Focus on Functionality and Beauty
Your space needs to work for you and feel beautiful.
Take my son’s homeschooling desk. It started as a practical workspace, but somewhere along the line, it turned into a paper dumping ground (without the cabinet to match).
On Saturday, I cleaned it up, displayed his favorite art like we were curating a gallery, and transformed it into a place that inspires creativity.
Make each space intentional. If something isn’t working, rethink it. Function first, beauty second—but always both.
4. Celebrate the Feeling
Here’s the secret to maintaining a clutter-free space: hold onto the feeling.
When you’re done, take a moment to pause, breathe, and soak in the joy of that clean, sparkling area. Notice how light and happy you feel—like you just lifted a weight off your shoulders.
That feeling is what will power your next decluttering session. And the next. And the next.
Let it motivate you to keep going, to tackle messes as they arise, and to never let things get that bad again.
The Magic of “Stopping Time”
By fully immersing myself in the task of cleaning, I unlocked a flow state where time didn’t matter. I just kept going. Every time I thought about quitting, I told myself, Just one more thing. And I’d do it.
When you’re in that flow, you can accomplish so much more than you think. It’s not about time—it’s about focus. And when you give yourself permission to stop time and fully commit, you can transform your space (and yourself) in ways you never thought possible.
Conclusion
Decluttering my house was more than just tidying up—it was about creating an environment that supports my goals, my creativity, and my peace of mind.
The mess had been weighing on me for months, but the moment I stopped time and tackled it, I felt free. Now my home feels light, spacious, and ready for the holidays.
So here’s my challenge for you:
Pick one area of your home or office this week and transform it. Start small, celebrate the feeling, and let that momentum carry you forward.
What’s one space you’re ready to tackle? Leave a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear about it!
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