• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • Author Guidelines
    • FAQs
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • ARTICLES
    • Articles by Topic
    • Most Recent Articles
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • RESOURCES
    • Curriculum Center
    • Intergenerational Resources
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Webinars
    • Episcopal Teacher
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Adult Education/The Spiritual Side of Decluttering

The Spiritual Side of Decluttering

“During this season of spiritual decluttering, of focusing on what is necessary for growth, learn to say ‘yes’ to what you love. Pick up some bags and start to prune.”

 

Can Decluttering Be a Spiritual Exercise?

Joy is not a word most of us associate with the seemingly-endless task of keeping a home free from clutter.

But decluttering with intention can be a spiritual practice, and as such, can bring great joy. When we are no longer controlled by the clutter in our lives, we can grow and change in ways that bring us closer to God.

Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, recognizes a painful truth: our possessions have more control over us than we would like. Her solution is to thank unnecessary items for their service, and then give them away. In a way, Jesus speaks of this kind of freedom – when the rich young ruler asks what he must to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus tells him to release all his possessions  (Mark 10:17-23).

As one decluttering practitioner has said, “Decluttering with a goal [40 Bags in 40 Days], helps us focus on what’s really important in our household. It shines a light on what is getting in the way of living life and what we have in excess that we can share with others.” This too, is a discipline that calls us towards a fuller life. Recall John the Baptist – as he baptizes, he tells his followers how to show they have turned towards God: “The one who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:11).

How Do I Start Decluttering?

You may already have heard of Marie Kondo’s solution to decluttering. She calls it “tidying up” and it boils down to this simple method:

Sort
Gather everything of one type together. Kondo starts with clothes, as they are the least emotionally laden of our objects, then books, papers, the miscellanea we all cram into junk drawers, and finishing with mementos. She recommends sorting by category, not room, in part to experience the overabundance most of us live with.

Ask
Pick up one item at a time and ask yourself, “Does this ____ spark joy in me?”

Discard
If the answer is no, thank it for the time it has spent with you and discard it. This is where “tidying up” and simply getting rid of stuff dovetail.

Spark Joy
If what you are holding does spark joy, keep it!

Place
When what you have is what brings joy, store everything of one type of thing together. This way, you’ll know where to look when you need it, thus gaining the precious resource of time. It also aids in putting stuff away, which will help you maintain a tidy home.

Of course, some things won’t “spark joy,” but they are necessary. Some things will spark joy, but are totally unnecessary. The goal isn’t to be bereft of all things, but to appreciate and be joyful with what is around you.

Practical Tips

Here are five points to keep in mind as you declutter or encourage others to do the same.

  1. Never declutter another adult’s possessions without their permission.
  2. Immediately put what does not spark joy into a bag or a box and place them in the trash or in your car for delivery.
  3. Give yourself permission to delay decisions that cause you true distress.
  4. Focus on one category at a time.
  5. Allow yourself the necessary time to go through your stuff.

 

Choosing What Stays, Choosing What Satisfies

Most decluttering gurus will have you start the process by getting rid of what you don’t use or don’t like, emphasizing the negative in the action. But I think we need to flip to a positive approach. When you choose what you keep – using the standard of what “sparks joy” – you change the perspective of tidying up. Intentionally choosing what is satisfying is the key to “delighting in abundance.” Recall the words of the prophet Isaiah:

All you who thirst, come to the waters
And you who have no money, come and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
and your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourself in abundance.
Incline your ear and come to me.
Listen, that you may live.
– Isaiah 55:1-3 (NASB)

During this season of spiritual decluttering, of focusing on what is necessary for growth, learn to say ‘yes’ to what you love. Pick up some bags and start to prune.

 


Charlotte Greeson is passionate about exploring the intersection of culture and faith. In exploring the phenomenon that is decluttering, she asked for assistance from Susan Messina. Susan is a professional declutterer living in her joyfully tidied home in Washington, D.C. Contact Susan at [email protected]. 

About the Author

  • Charlotte Hand Greeson

    Charlotte Hand Greeson is a member of the Lifelong Learning Department at VTS, where she is the Program Coordinator for Thriving in Ministry and Launching into Ministry, as well as Associate Editor of Building Faith. Charlotte has created networks of congregational leaders through the sharing of practical resources and replicable practices for faith formation. In addition, she serves as the program manager for VTS’ collaboration with the brothers of Saint John the Evangelist, developing formation resources for the wider church. An experienced writer, curriculum developer, workshop and retreat leader, Charlotte is committed to forming faithful, skillful, and responsive church leaders. She takes seriously Paul’s injunction in his letter to the Romans to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,” living this out in social media ministry.

    View all posts
Print PDF

February 17, 2016 By Charlotte Hand Greeson

Filed Under: Adult Education Tagged With: decluttering, Lent, Marie Kondo, tidying-up

About Charlotte Hand Greeson

Charlotte Hand Greeson is a member of the Lifelong Learning Department at VTS, where she is the Program Coordinator for Thriving in Ministry and Launching into Ministry, as well as Associate Editor of Building Faith. Charlotte has created networks of congregational leaders through the sharing of practical resources and replicable practices for faith formation. In addition, she serves as the program manager for VTS’ collaboration with the brothers of Saint John the Evangelist, developing formation resources for the wider church. An experienced writer, curriculum developer, workshop and retreat leader, Charlotte is committed to forming faithful, skillful, and responsive church leaders. She takes seriously Paul’s injunction in his letter to the Romans to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,” living this out in social media ministry.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search Our Site

New Articles

"Visually Safe Disability Pride Flag" with red, yellow, white, light blue, and green diagonal stripes from upper left to lower right on a dark gray background

New and Recent Resources for Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month in the U.S. As Lizzie Cox explains in her article "Disability Pride …

Continue Reading about New and Recent Resources for Disability Pride Month

Two hands of a person with dark skin tone shaping bronze-colored clay on a pottery wheel in front of a blurred blue background with brown spots

“Nobody’s Perfect”: A Resource for Talking to Youth about Sin

Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault and racial violence. In November of 2018, …

Continue Reading about “Nobody’s Perfect”: A Resource for Talking to Youth about Sin

Circular dots of various colors aligned in rows and columns on a gold surface

Intergenerational Insights: What Is Intergenerational Ministry?

This article is part of a series on Intergenerational Formation Insights written after a literature …

Continue Reading about Intergenerational Insights: What Is Intergenerational Ministry?

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search our site

Search by Topic

Keep In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Footer

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2025 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get articles and resources by email

Privacy Policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.