What Atomic Habits Can Teach You About Decluttering

Creating a Space That Supports Your Goals

It's easy to think that a massive decluttering spree will solve all your clutter problems, but more often than not, the clutter creeps back in. What if the key to a clutter-free, streamlined home isn’t a one-time effort but a series of tiny, consistent changes?

This idea is central to James Clear's book Atomic Habits. Instead of quick fixes, Clear emphasizes the power of small, daily habits to shape our lives. Habits are a huge part of building a holistic, clutter-free system, which I dive into more in my free workshop.

When I read Atomic Habits, I found countless golden nuggets that apply perfectly to maintaining a clutter-free space. Here are 11 of the most impactful lessons, paired with examples and actionable ideas to bring them to life:

1. Your Clutter Is a Lagging Measure

Clear uses clutter as an example in the book, explaining that it’s a lagging measure of your cleaning habits. The state of your home reflects the small actions you repeat over time.

Time is a magnifier: consistent good habits make time your ally, while bad habits make it your enemy. Most of us give up on forming better habits because results take time. Think of it like ice melting—progress happens slowly until you hit the tipping point.

Example: If you develop a habit of leaving items on the counter “just for now,” the clutter will inevitably build up over time. But if you get into the habit of putting things away immediately, the opposite is true—a clear counter becomes the norm.

Clear reminds us, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."

2. Forget Goals; Focus on Systems

This principle is life-changing. Everyone wants a clean, organized space, but wanting isn’t enough. It’s the systems we put in place that determine success.

Clear explains that goals are short-term motivators, but systems drive lasting change. Cleaning a messy room might feel good for a moment, but unless you address the habits that caused the mess, the clutter will return.

Example: Create a system where your kids know exactly where their toys go, and you schedule 10 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up.

3. Beliefs Matter

Your identity drives your habits. Instead of saying, "I want to declutter," shift to "I am a person who values and maintains a clutter-free space."

Clear illustrates this with examples like:

• The goal isn’t to read a book; it’s to become a reader.
• The goal isn’t to run a marathon; it’s to become a runner.

When your habits align with your identity, behavior change becomes effortless.

Idea: If you want to identify as a clutter-free person, start small. For example, clear one surface in your home and commit to keeping it clutter-free every day. This builds proof for your new identity.

4. Awareness Is the First Step

Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.” Awareness is crucial for creating change.

Clutter often becomes invisible to us over time. Clear recommends a strategy called "pointing and calling" to build awareness.

Examples:

• Announce to yourself, “I’m leaving this item here,” or, “I’m buying this book even though I haven’t read the last one.”
• Take a picture of your cluttered space and look at it later—it’s amazing how seeing your space through a different lens makes you notice things you’ve been overlooking.

5. Clarity Breeds Motivation

What we perceive as a lack of motivation is often just a lack of clarity. A study in Atomic Habits showed that people who created specific plans for when and where they would exercise had a 91% success rate, compared to 35% for those who relied on motivation alone.

Idea: Apply this to decluttering by setting a specific plan, like, “I will declutter the kitchen junk drawer for 15 minutes on Saturday at 10 a.m.”

6. No Habit Exists in Isolation

Habits are connected to deeper needs. For example:

• You might dump clutter into a closet because you want to relax, but that clutter later causes stress.

Clear shares the story of the Diderot Effect, where buying one luxurious item led philosopher Denis Diderot to upgrade his entire home, creating a spiral of consumption. The lesson? Be mindful of how one habit or purchase can trigger another.

Idea: If you’re tempted to redecorate after buying a single item, pause and ask yourself: Do I really need these upgrades, or am I just chasing a feeling of “completion” that I don’t actually need?

7. Motivation Is Overrated; Environment Matters More

Your environment is the invisible hand shaping your behavior. Clear highlights how soldiers in Vietnam overcame heroin addiction simply by leaving the environment where the habit formed.

Examples of Environmental Design:

• Make desired actions easier by making them visible: place a donation bin near your closet to make decluttering easier.
• Make undesired actions harder by making them less accessible: unsubscribe from shopping emails to avoid impulse purchases.

Clear suggests the concept of “one space, one use.” For instance:

• A desk is only for work.
• A chair is only for reading.
• A table is only for eating.

If you’re in a small space, create zones: one corner for relaxing, one for working, etc.

8. We Want More Than We Can Enjoy

Our brains are wired to crave more than we can actually use or enjoy. The “wanting” centers in our brains are more active than the “liking” centers.

Idea: Next time you’re tempted to buy something, ask yourself: Will this truly add value to my life, or am I just satisfying the craving to acquire?

9. Social Surroundings Matter Too

Surround yourself with people who value a clutter-free environment. Accountability partners or supportive social groups can reinforce your habits.

Idea: Find a friend to declutter with or join an online community where you can share progress and stay motivated.

10. Completion Is Better Than Perfection

Perfection is often the enemy of progress. Clear advice: “Just get your reps in.” Repetition builds habits, even if the actions aren’t perfect.

Example: Instead of waiting for the perfect time to clean the whole house, aim to declutter one drawer or one shelf today.

11. Make It Easy

Clear says humans are wired to conserve energy, and this isn’t a bad thing—it’s smart! Use one-time actions to make future habits easier.

Examples:

• Use smaller containers to limit accumulation.
• Leave your wallet at home to avoid impulse spending.
• Set up automatic reminders to declutter regularly.
• Create systems, like a designated “inbox” area for mail or a drop zone for keys and bags.

Final Thoughts

The lessons in Atomic Habits are incredibly powerful when applied to creating and maintaining a clutter-free space. It’s not about massive overhauls or short bursts of motivation—it’s about designing a life and environment that effortlessly supports the person you want to become.

Which of these principles resonated most with you? Let me know in the comments!