Declutter: Doing Less on Purpose
Word of the Year
This year, instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I chose a word.
A friend recently shared how choosing a single word for the year felt more intentional than setting goals that often fade by February. I loved that idea — less pressure, more presence. And the word that kept returning to me, quietly and consistently, was declutter.
It wasn’t a sudden decision. The word had been sitting with me since the end of last year, almost like a gentle nudge. When I finally named it, I realized something important: I hadn’t just chosen this word — I had already been living it.
For the last few years, knowingly or unknowingly, I’ve been decluttering.
Not just drawers and closets, but expectations. Obligations. Noise. The constant urge to do more, keep up, and prove something.
Decluttering, for me, hasn’t been about creating a perfectly minimal space or checking things off a list. It’s been about noticing what feels heavy — and slowly, thoughtfully letting it go. Commitments that no longer fit this season of life. Routines that once worked but now feel draining. Even the quiet pressure to always be productive.
Doing less on purpose doesn’t mean giving up. It doesn’t mean shrinking or settling. It means choosing with intention. It means understanding that energy is finite, and where we place it matters.
I’ve learned that clarity often comes not from adding more, but from creating space. Space to breathe. Space to rest. Space to move through life at a pace that feels honest to where I am right now.
Decluttering as self-care looks different for everyone. For me, it’s about simplicity, listening to my body, and allowing life to be a little quieter. There’s comfort in knowing that not everything needs to be held onto — and that letting go can be an act of kindness toward yourself.
This year, declutter isn’t a goal I need to accomplish. It’s a lens I’m choosing to live through. A reminder that ease is allowed. That doing less can sometimes mean living more fully.
A gentle question to leave you with:
What’s one thing you could do less of — on purpose?