Fresh Energy for a New Season: Declutter Your Space, Free Your Mind

 There’s something about the burst of sunlight this time of year (in the Northern hemisphere) that invites a sense of renewal. The days are lighter and longer, the air shifts, and we start to crave a bit more space, inside and out. It’s the perfect moment to consider a gentle, empowering form of spring cleaning: decluttering not just our homes, but also our energy and mindset.

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Dr. Christine Li, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Procrastination Coach, to our Zen Stitching community. With over 20 years of experience helping people manage anxiety, focus, and productivity, Dr. Christine offered a refreshingly honest and compassionate take on decluttering.

Her message went far beyond tidying up. It was about reclaiming clarity, focus, and emotional freedom - and today, we'd like to share her message with you!

More Than a Mess: What Clutter Really Costs Us

When Christine asked our community what came to mind when we thought of clutter, the answers poured in: stress, overwhelm, panic, shame, immobilised, stuck.

Clearly, clutter isn’t just physical; it carries emotional weight.

She explained that clutter often masks deeper challenges like procrastination, fear of letting go, or the desire to maintain control. And the tension of wanting to clear things out but feeling stuck can be mentally exhausting. Dr. Li encouraged us to clear out these feelings and enjoy our spaces again:

“Let's have more fun in our homes. Let's live without clutter because we get to dump all those negative feelings... No more panic, no more overwhelm, no more, 'I live in a space that's too tiny.' We're just going to get rid of that kind of thinking."

The Good News: You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once

Christine introduced a beautifully simple concept: the rocket goal - a small, focused target that sparks a ripple effect of motivation and momentum, making you feel like you've just taken off.

Here are her core steps:

• Choose your rocket goal. Dr. Li encourages choosing a goal that will have a domino effect and make other areas easier as you go. If you are having trouble deciding, you can also pick a starting point out of a hat - the most important thing is to just get started.

• Touch one to three items and tune into how your body responds. What sparks joy? What feels heavy? Don't be afraid to let go of what drains you, especially if it brings confusion, stress, or doubt.

• Track and share your progress with others. Let your community encourage you. It's much easier to stay on track with some support and accountability!

A Personal Note on Starting Small

After Christine's talk, I was inspired to tackle some of the flat surfaces in my own home that have accumulated some piles. It's amazing how much lighter and fresher a space can feel when we take care of those things, and I totally saw the ripple effect that Christine had talked about. Clearing up one shelf leads to one more, and then a table, and before you know it, your workspace is clear and ready for a new project!

Make Space for What Matters

We often hold onto things out of guilt, a fear of waste, or a vague hope that we “might need it someday.” But Christine offered a gentle reframe:

“What is it costing you to hold on?”

If something is draining your energy, keeping you from creative work, or adding to your mental load, it’s okay- and can even be wise - to let it go.

Decluttering isn’t about giving up on potential. It’s about creating room for what truly matters: making, resting, connecting.

Begin Where You Are

Right now is a beautiful time to begin - or begin again. You don’t need to overhaul your whole space. Just choose one drawer. One shelf. One pile.

You don’t need to be fearless - you just need to start.

Resources and Next Steps

If these insights from Dr. Christine Li have resonated with you, I really do recommend you check out her work at procrastinationcoach.com. Christine often runs challenges and programs to help you in your decluttering journey  - which can only help when it comes to creativity and Zen. You can even get her Cut the Clutter workbook for free here!

Let’s clear out the cobwebs, inside and out. Let’s make room for joy, clarity, and calm.

Wishing you all the freshest energy for this season.