Remove these 18 things from your life in 2025, says organising expert
The new year is the perfect time for a big decluttering overhaul, clearing out any unnecessary junk from your life. Here to guide us is Shira Gill, decluttering mastermind and minimalism expert. Her no-nonsense, efficient approach to streamlining and simplifying will allow you to elevate your life into a considered, deliberate selection of commitments that you'll want to keep, clarifying what's truly important. After all, as Gill says, minimalism is about saying no to the wrong things so you can create freedom and space for what's right.
Meet the expert: Shira Gill is a globally recognised home-organising expert and bestselling author with a minimalist philosophy. Her book, LifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organised & Intentional Life (Octopus Publishing, £25), is out on 16 Jan.
Social events
1. Obligatory gatherings you don’t truly enjoy
This tends to be so difficult for people, even though it's an obvious area to make cuts: why are you spending your precious time somewhere you would rather not be? Of course, there are some events, like with the in-laws, that you have to show up to. For these, look at the volume and frequency – instead of five times a year, could you go twice?
You can also include here events that clash with your values or priorities – 'shoulds' that don't align with who you actually are.
Here's my script for saying 'no', because declining is easier said than done and it's really tricky to do face to face. Say: 'That's such a lovely invitation, but I'm just at full capacity right now. I promised myself and my family/those I'm close to I wouldn't add anything to my plate.' It's not specific or insulting, but there's no real room for negotiation.
2. Overbooked weekends
These tend to be very common. Audit and assess your calendar for excessively full weekends that give you no room for rest whatsoever. We're supposed to unplug and relax, read a book or spend time with friends and family, and many people just end up working non-stop or staying in that busy flow.
Schedule and routine
3. Mindless scrolling disguised as 'downtime'
All of us, myself included, are so guilty of scrolling Instagram or your platform of choice when we've got 10 minutes between meetings, but it's not relaxing. In fact, for most people, it's stressful and worsens your mental health.
Research shows that social-media scrolling leads to anxiety, depression and overstimulation for most people, but I hear so many clients say that they exit social media feeling worse about themselves and their accomplishments than when they went on, even if they were looking for inspiration.
Unsubscribe from accounts, emails, and newsletters that make you feel mentally cluttered, and turn off distracting notifications. Read a book, meditate, call a friend or take a walk and get some fresh air, instead.
4. Tasks or meetings that could be delegated or skipped
We're in a high-volume meeting culture, and I often hear, 'My whole day was pointless meetings.' Question every meeting on your calendar. Is it a good use of your time? Could it be an email or a phone call? Is it going to further to your goals, or is this something you could opt out of and instead propose a different way to get the job done?
People and relationships
5. Relationships that drain your energy
This is the hardest one of all, but potentially the most important. Cut the relationships that feel toxic or drain your energy, and the people who leave you feeling depleted or tired, as opposed to energised or connected.
I recently heard the saying, 'You have relationships for a season, a reason or a lifetime.' There are people for whom there's a period of your life where you make sense for each other and you can create value in each other's lives. Then one or both of you may shift, but it's perfectly normal and natural to phase people out slowly – you don't have to sever a tie abruptly. Just reinvest your energy into other people. Knowing that you will have one set of people that are there for your lifetime makes it less painful.
6. Casual acquaintances who no longer bring joy or connection
You don't have to go to their mixer, happy hour or holiday party if it really feels like this isn't a connection that you want to invest in or move forward with. People get the picture if you decline enough times! Of course, be gracious and kind, but break the habit – it doesn't do them a favour, either.
Attitudes and perspectives
7. Comparing yourself to others (especially on social media)
Banish the imposter syndrome and the 'compare and despair' cycle. It's human nature to compare your insides to somebody else's outsides, to look at the glossy images and think everyone else is ahead in areas like your careers. I can assure people that nobody has it all together. There is no upside to that belief system. Instead, stay in your lane and define you own metric for success about what makes you happy and fulfilled.
8. The 'all-or-nothing' mindset that hinders progress
Especially around the new year, people start setting huge, intimidating goals that often make us feel instantly overwhelmed and more likely to fail, such as, 'I'm going to work out every day,' or, 'I'm going to be the person who does X, Y or Z.' It also is then easier to fall into a perfectionism mindset where you have unrealistic expectations.
However, what research and experience have shown is that it's really small, smart, compounded action and micro wins that lead to big change and success over time. So it's not 'I'm going to run the marathon,' it's 'I'm going to walk 15 minutes every day,' 'I'm going to add a vegetable to my dinner,' or 'I'm going to read for 15 minutes before I turn on the TV.' Take tiny, baby steps to see a huge difference.
Household items
9. Expired or seldom-used items
This means out-of-date food or old spices in the pantry, or expired beauty and hygiene products. Look on the packaging for an indication of how long an item is meant to last. Gadgets or appliances you haven’t used in a year fall into this category, as do occasional-use items that could be rented or borrowed (roasting pan, tools, camping gear) and old, worn-out fitness equipment that doesn’t function well.
When it comes to throwing out or replacing bigger-ticket items, like furniture, it really goes back to your values. Think, 'What do I want to be able to do in my home and and what do I want it to facilitate?'
I have a radically minimalist home compared to most people, but it feels very abundant, because it enables me to travel and to rent my house out, and I spend very little time cleaning or organising. Only having what I need and use is the ultimate freedom, which I think is the biggest luxury of all. I've totally redefined what a dream home means to me.
10. Low-quality, uncomfortable linens or towels
Given that you spend a third of your time asleep, you really want to be investing in the best sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers you can afford. The same goes for your towels, which will last longer if they're made of higher-grade materials, not to mention being more comfortable and softer against your skin.
11. Hobbies that never happened
This is a great time to question the knitting needles and the camping or scuba gear. I see so many people who are hesitant to get rid of these items because they spent so much money, but you've got to let go of the sunk cost and think about the space the items are taking up. Seeing the reminder of the hobby you're not doing is an energetic drain and does not make you feel good. Ask yourself, 'Am I going to do this in the next three to six months? Do I have any plans to take up this activity?' If not, pass it along to someone who'll actually enjoy or use it.
Clothes
12. Pieces kept out of guilt or nostalgia
We're talking impulse buys that seemed like a good idea at the time or pieces you thought you'd wear but ended up being the wrong fabric/fit/colour (delete as appropriate) and didn't slot in with the rest of your wardrobe. They rot at the back of your closet, but the price tag or designer label keeps you holding on.
Also in this category are gifts that you don't particularly like but still appreciate for the gesture, or garments that have a special meaning, like a childhood school-play costume or teenage big-party dress. Donate, resell or take photos.
13. Clothes that don’t fit your body or lifestyle anymore
Perhaps your weight has fluctuated and your body suits other styles and silhouettes now. Maybe you used to go out a lot more at the weekend but now prefer a cozy night in. Or let's say you bought a one-of-a-kind gown for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion that you simply don't fill your calendar with on the regular. Again, you don't need reminders of a past life or the alter-ego lifestyle you're not living bringing you down.
14. Duplicate items that don’t serve a purpose
Five nearly identical black t-shirts, we're looking at you! This can sometimes happen when you're on the quest for the perfect thing so you keep buying versions that aren't quite right, and end up with a pile of mediocre items that you don't really wear or enjoy.
Diet
15. Foods that make you feel sluggish, unwell or even allergic
As we change and grow older, certain foods start to affect us differently. I've always eaten everything and felt great, but now I'm in my 40s every time I eat bread, I feel terrible – and I love bread! Instead, find the foods that fuel you and make you feel energised and refreshed without labelling them as "good" or "bad".
16. Outdated "rules" about what you should or shouldn’t eat
Diet culture's fads and trends are always changing. So again, banish the rules that feel restrictive, rigid or oppressive and instead pay attention to how you feel. What are the foods that give you energy? Focus on stocking up on those.
Fitness
17. Workouts you dread but feel obligated to do
Replace workouts you dread and feel like punishment and torture with ones that feel good. I hate the gym and I never want to go. I don't enjoy gym culture or the machines. But I love fresh air and listening to podcasts, so I take a 45-minute power walk every morning. It feels great and it's free. It's a welcome break from spending a lifetime feeling like I should go to the gym!
Look at how you enjoy moving your body, from taking a hike with a friend to doing a dance class. Find a sport where you don't feel like you're working out at all.
Finances
18. Spending that isn't aligned with your values
Be radically intentional with your spending. We all vote with our money. Even if you just have a little bit of excess money after you've covered your basic expenses, you still get to use it as a powerful tool. You decide whom you want to support and give money to, like small or local businesses.
Defining your criteria in advance will make it much easier to resist the impulse buy. For instance, I've decided I don't want to buy any more plastic, so if something enticing goes on sale, if it's plastic, I don't even have to consider it.
I have a friend who's decided she's no longer buying anything on Amazon. But she lives in New York City, and so everything she needs is in her neighbourhood grocery store, department store or pharmacy.
LifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organised & Intentional Life (Octopus Publishing, £25) by Shira Gill is out on 16 Jan
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