Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness

by Gretchen Rubin

Once visual noise is eliminated, I feel more focused and there’s more room in my mind, my schedule, and my space for creative activity. Instead of being sources of stress, my home and my office are places of comfort and energy.

OUTER ORDER SHARPENS MY SENSE OF PURPOSEFULNESS. I know what I have, why I have it, and where it belongs. I make good use of everything I own.

We’ve achieved the right level of order when we can find what we need, feel good in our space, and don’t feel hindered by stuff.

outer order isn’t simply a matter of having less or having more; it’s a matter of wanting what we have.

having fewer mementos allows us to hold on to more memories than having many mementos does, because these keepsakes have been carefully chosen and we’re less overwhelmed by the sheer volume.

Rather than striving for a particular level of possessions—minimal or otherwise—it’s helpful to think about getting rid of what’s superfluous.

In many situations, we don’t need to make a perfect choice but just a good-enough choice.

The easiest way to complete a project is to abandon it.

In deep clutter, items are well organized and put away neatly, and to the inattentive glance, everything looks great—but, in fact, these things are clutter because they aren’t used, needed, or loved.

When our environment is disorderly, it’s easier for our behavior to become disorderly.

Clutter attracts clutter, so once clutter begins to accumulate, an area tends to get worse and worse.

No matter how useful an item might prove to be, if we don’t know we possess it, we can’t use it.

Begin the way you want to continue, because temporary often becomes permanent.

Sometimes, we’re sad to relinquish an identity, so we cling to possessions as a way to insulate ourselves from change.

“Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better.”

Remember: Nothing’s a bargain if you don’t really need or want it.

Put things to good use. Spend out.

Getting control of our possessions makes us feel more in control of our fates.

We’re happier when that stuff is in good order and includes things that we need, use, and love—because that reflection influences the way we see ourselves