5 SIMPLE WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR SOUL

We tidy our homes, detoxify our bodies, and order our schedules, but what about dealing with the internal chaos and clutter? What about our souls? Why is it important to declutter our souls, and how do we do it?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DECLUTTER?

DECLUTTERING DEFINITIONS

Here are a few dictionary definitions of declutter:

to remove unnecessary items from (an untidy or overcrowded place)

to simplify or get rid of mess, disorder, complications, etc.

to organize and prioritize (one’s commitments, material possessions, etc.)

Other synonyms of declutter include:

• tidy
• sort
• organize
• straighten
• order

DECLUTTERING EXAMPLES

I don’t know about you, but when I think of decluttering it usually has to do with gaining control of something outside of myself:

• sorting and separating all the papers strewn across my desk
• organizing my shoes, closets, drawers
• clearing off (and disinfecting!) the kitchen counter
• tidying up my pantry or fridge (and throwing out what is stale, rotten, stinking!)
• cleaning out my clogged email inbox

And while decluttering often includes removing, organizing, and ordering things and places in our external lives, I realized I was guilty of overlooking the clutter within my heart, soul, and mind.

A DECLUTTERING STORY

When I was feebly attempting spring cleaning to overcome the disorder and disorganization in my home, I began thinking about how the ideas of cleansing, simplifying, and decluttering can apply on a deeper level–even a spiritual level.

I knew maintaining a neat home or a body free of toxins required constant daily attention and energy. I was willing to put time and effort but also desired a more profound sense of peace and purpose- a kind of contentment that comes from within my soul, independent of a perfectly maintained home or a fit and healthy-looking body. After all, perfect homes and bodies don’t stay that way for too long, do they?

And thus began my journey to discovering ways I could declutter my soul.

WHY WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT DECLUTTERING & CLEANSING OUR SOULS

If you ask my family, they would say that I am a decluttering freak. Seriously. When I go on one of my rampages cleansing, purging, straightening, and ordering…everyone and everything should take cover. And since I usually only give a five-minute warning before the tidying tornado sweeps throughout the house, many things can get lost or thrown away in the shuffle. Just ask them…in my efforts to maintain order and cleanliness, I have discarded important bills & papers, thrown away retainers and keys, trashed homework assignments, and even mistakenly scrapped money and jewelry. Yep…I am pretty indiscriminate if I think something is out of place or is messing with my feng shui.

DEALING WITH THE CLUTTER WITHIN OUR SOULS

But am I as thorough, conscientious, and rigorous when it comes to cleansing and decluttering what exists within my own soul, such as my:

• negative thoughts?
• bad attitudes?
• selfish motives?
• manipulative tendencies?
• unforgiving judgments?

If I am honest, I would have to admit: not so much. Ouch!

And what does that say about me?

Sadly, that I am often more concerned if things look orderly, well kept, and picture-perfect on the outside.

WHY DECLUTTERING IS SO DIFFICULT TO DO

But keeping up this facade is exhausting, isn’t it? Because even if I diligently use my label maker to organize all my files, buy color-coded matching bins for each member of my family, and Marie-Kondo every single room in my house only keeping those essential items that “spark joy,” I still cannot maintain this for very long. No one can. Why?

It is called entropy. And it is a basic law of the universe.

Things always move from a state of ORDER –> DISORDER.

So, what does this have to do with decluttering our souls? If we cannot maintain order and tranquility in our small little corners of the universe, what hope do we have of taming the chaos and clutter within?

While we may acknowledge the need and sincerely have the desire to declutter our souls, we lack the focus, determination, and willpower to begin this painstaking process.

I know I did when I began considering what it would take to do a deep dive cleanse of my soul!

WHY WE NEED TO INVITE GOD’S SPIRIT INTO THE DECLUTTERING PROCESS

I have some good news and bad news when it comes to the decluttering process. Since I am not sure if you are a good news/bad news first type of person, I will start with the bad news because I like to be straightforward and honest.

BAD NEWS: You have no hope of decluttering your soul. Yep, that is the truth, my friend. No sugarcoating going on here!

GOOD NEWS: God has every intention of decluttering your soul and desires to do so if you allow His Spirit to come in and transform you from the inside out.

We can cry out to God just like David did in the Psalms:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Even if we don’t know where to start or what needs to be removed, God does! If we come humbly to God asking him to declutter our souls and cleanse our hearts, his Word promises that is exactly what he will do!

5 SIMPLE WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR SOUL

Although decluttering your soul should begin with a willingness to seek God’s help, there are practical steps that anyone can take to welcome God’s Spirit into the soul cleansing process.

SOUL DECLUTTERING TIP #1: SEEK SOLITUDE

As I previously confessed, clutter bothers me. Really bothers me. Although my family gives me lots of grief when I say this (but maybe some of you will relate)…it disturbs my spirit. I have found that when I get away from the mess, I can quiet my soul and listen to God’s voice clearly. I can pray as David did and really mean it. This may mean carving out a special place in my home that remains relatively undisturbed, or it may involve taking a walk in the park or finding a quiet place in a coffee shop. Solitude allows you to clear the clutter and begin the process of looking inward.

SOUL DECLUTTERING TIP #2: SIMPLIFY YOUR SCHEDULE

Decluttering your soul involves focused time and consistent maintenance. When we invite God to come into our souls and deep cleanse, we need to make room and space for this to happen. Assessing our schedule and allowing ourselves to say “no” to things is the beginning of understanding true soul care. It is crucial that we simplify our schedules in order to do this.

SOUL DECLUTTERING TIP #3: SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

One of the best places to learn what a decluttered soul looks like is in the Bible. The Fruit of the Spirit (found in Galatians 5:22-23) provides a helpful list (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) of what God wants to bring into our souls. And Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 how to think about things. Of course, all Scripture is useful in the decluttering process, but these are some good places to start.

SOUL DECLUTTERING TIP #4: SOLICIT SUPPORT

As with any process that requires time and effort, having someone alongside you on the journey is so valuable. I strongly encourage you to find an accountability partner, join a Bible study or small group, or even seek the help of a qualified counselor. Uncluttering your soul involves releasing, purging, and letting go so that God’s Spirit can come in and do the deep soul cleansing…and that is not always easy or comfortable!

SOUL DECLUTTERING TIP #5: SURRENDER CONTROL

Although I am not where I need to be in letting go of the clutter in my home, I am slowly learning that when I release my expectations of a perfectly neat and tidy home, I experience less anxiety and more tranquility. And so it goes with our souls. There will always be things we need to declutter within, but God is ever-present and continually working on us if we let him. Surrendering control to him brings freedom and peace because we know that he is faithful to do what he promised!

MORE RESOURCES FOR DECLUTTERING YOUR SOUL

If you are looking for more resources to deep cleanse your soul, please check out my FREE FAITH PRINTABLES page to find two other soul care guides. I also have a Bible study devotional coming out soon, The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul, that takes you through the entire process of allowing God’s Spirit to transform you from the inside out.

And if you desire to join a community where you can meet others for hope and encouragement on your faith journey, I would love to have you as a fellow traveler. Sign up by filling out the form below, and you will receive weekly blog posts, monthly newsletters, and access to over ten printables in my Faith Resource Library.

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