QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We don’t just accumulate stuff, we accumulate drag. We accumulate drains and leeches that instead of physically taking up space, overwhelm and impede our ability to operate and think.”
– Ryan Holiday
IDEA OF THE DAY
When we think of spring cleaning, we often picture decluttering closets, organizing the pantry, or tidying up the garage—places where things accumulate over time. But as spring approaches, I invite you to consider another form of cleaning: an emotional and mental reset that can help improve our lives.
Ryan Holiday, best known for modernizing Stoic philosophy, explores this idea in his latest blog post. His writing is always insightful, and I look forward to his newsletters. In this post, he shares 13 unique ways to declutter—not just our spaces, but our minds. Why not take a fresh approach to spring cleaning?
How about we explore these ideas briefly and then make a pact—you and I—to choose the top three to focus on this spring? Let’s go!
Clean up your information diet
Take a moment to assess how you consume information. As Ryan Holiday puts it, “Spring is a great time to ask: Where do misery, negativity, dysfunction, and chaos sneak into my life? And then do something about it.” This is your chance to be more intentional about your news and media intake, creating a healthier mental space.
Destroy a DOOM box
I never knew what a DOOM box was—until I realized I had several! These “Didn’t Organize—Only Moved” boxes are filled with random items that never get sorted. They stack up, gather dust, and take up mental space. Whether you trash, donate, or sell them, clearing physical clutter helps free your mind and reduces the number of things that own you.
Quit your Vices
We like to think we control our habits, but some have more control over us than we realize. For me, it’s grabbing that extra piece of chocolate or mindlessly scrolling social media. What’s yours? “Where have you lost the freedom to say no? And how can you reclaim your power by refusing to feed that habit?”
Limit what has access
Ryan raises an interesting point: we are too reachable. Between phones, social media, and constant notifications, people can contact us 24/7. Instead of checking multiple platforms throughout the day, why not simplify? Set boundaries of how people can connect with you and take control of your availability.
Close the loop
Have an email inbox that is overflowing with overlooked emails? Start small with tackling 15 minutes of sending quick responses and completing easy requests. “The mental relief that comes from clearing them out is always worth far more than the small effort it takes to get them done.”
Delete the loop
Let’s go a step further and delete the emails that we know we’ll never get to (you know which ones I’m talking about!)
Make amends
Ryan gets straight to the point, urging us to ” identify any grudges we’re holding—conflicts, disagreements, or sources of animosity in our lives. How can we clean those up or clear them out? What can we apologize for?” I’ll admit, this one isn’t easy—but holding onto a grudge is like emotional clutter. It builds up in our minds and often grows rather than fades over time. An honest, open conversation might be the key to freeing up some much-needed mental space.
Get out in nature
Nature is one of the best ways to clear the mind. I’ve never regretted spending time outdoors—whether it’s a short walk or a longer escape, I always feel refreshed. I’m sure you’ve experienced the same, so let’s make it more of a habit!
Delegate and Automate
Letting go of control can be difficult, but the most valuable thing you can manage is your time. If a task can be delegated, pass it on. If it’s yours to handle, find a way to automate it. “Keep the main thing the main thing and focus on not being distracted and weighed down by the rest.”
Eliminate a pointless, reoccurring meeting
Need I say more?
Be protective of your time
Consider where you spend the most time and ask yourself: Is this the best use of it? Downtime is important, but if minutes turn into hours of screen time or you’re constantly saying yes when you’d rather say no, you might be stuck in a time-draining habit. Take a moment to check in with yourself—what do you truly want instead?
Simplify your to-do list
For all my super-productive overachievers—this one’s for you: Less is more.
Is it better to do 25 things okay or 5 things great? When my to-do list gets too long, I feel overwhelmed and anxious about getting it all done. The key? Simplify. Focus on 2–4 main tasks each day. That’s it. When you limit your priorities, you become more intentional with your time, energy, and motivation.
Eliminate the inessential
We juggle endless tasks—emails, calls, meetings, errands, and more. Marcus Aurelius reminds us: If you want more tranquility, ask yourself—Is this essential? Most things aren’t. By cutting the inessential, we do what matters better. To declutter your life, say no more often. And remember—no is a complete sentence. No explanation needed.
As we step into spring, pick three ways to declutter and give them a try. While all of these ideas are valuable, the ones that stood out to me most are simplifying my to-do list (guilty!), spending more time in nature, and eliminating the inessential. I’d love to hear which ones you choose and why.
Until then, let the decluttering begin!
QUESTION OF THE DAY
How will I know I’ve successfully decluttered—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally?