Remember That When You Declutter, You’re Caring for Your Future Self

This is part of Stewie's Guide to Ruthlessly Declutter Your Clothes Today.

Last Summer, I stood in front of my closet, staring at a bunch of shirts I never wore anymore. Some were stained, some had holes in the sleeves, and some just didn’t fit properly.

I pulled them out one by one, tossing them into the donation pile.

By the time I was done, I had reclaimed a bunch of space in my closet. I could actually see my clothes instead of digging through crammed hangers. Best of all, I got to trash all the excess wire hangers (because wire hangers are the worst).

And let me tell you—it felt amazing.

It wasn’t just about getting rid of stuff. It was about freeing myself.

Caring for My Future Self

As I decluttered, I kept thinking:

• Tomorrow, I’m going to open my closet and not feel anxious.
• Tomorrow, I’m going to know exactly where everything is.
• Tomorrow, I won’t be burdened by things I don’t even like.

I was caring for my future self.

And that’s my advice to you: prioritize the needs of your future self. What kind of home do you want to live in tomorrow? How do you want to feel when you open your closet?

Decluttering isn’t just about today. It’s a gift to your future self—the person who will wake up tomorrow in a space that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to navigate.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Do you need to declutter everything today? Of course not.

But if you let go of just five things today, that’s five fewer things your future self has to deal with. That’s five fewer sources of stress.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes to create momentum.

Questions to Ask Yourself

I know that letting go isn’t always easy. Some things feel tied to past versions of ourselves—people we used to be, lives we used to live.

So when I struggle, I ask myself these questions:

• Is this shirt part of past me, present me, or future me?
• Who would I be without these pants? Would I even notice they were gone?
• Do I really want to create obligations for my future self by keeping things I’ll never mend or fit into?
• Do I want to make my small home feel like a mansion once I’ve cleared the clutter?

Most of the time, the answers make the decision easy.

A Future That Feels Lighter

Imagine waking up in a space that feels calm, open, and effortless to navigate.

Imagine a closet where everything fits, everything is loved, and nothing feels like a burden.

That future is possible. And it starts with the choices you make today.

So go ahead—let go of a few things. Give your future self a little more breathing room. You’ll be so glad you did.

Next steps…

• Read the rest of Stewie's Guide to Ruthlessly Declutter Your Clothes Today
• Get notified when I add new chapters to this book