Decluttering is an ongoing learning experience. There’s so much inspiration out there and I pick up new tips and ideas every day. Today, I’m sharing the wisdom with 21 decluttering quotes from the experts, including some of my favourite bloggers who regularly put out terrific content.

This post was originally published in March 2021 and updated in March 2024.

I’ve included quotes from some big names in decluttering like Marie Kondo, Joshua Becker, Cassandra Aarssen, and Dana K. White. Check out 9 surprising things I learned from reading decluttering books for a summary of what I learned from books written by these authors.

But first, I’ve got quotes from some talented bloggers. These inspirational writers are proof that you don’t need to be a published author to have useful and practical insights to share. If you’re not already following them, please check out their blogs for more wisdom.

Wisdom from some favourite bloggers…

Once you start decluttering your house you need to make a plan to stop clutter from coming in so you don’t end up in an endless cycle.

Suzanne, Happily Decluttered

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Decluttering, purging, going minimal isn’t about getting rid of everything that takes up space, but about giving you more space – physically and mentally – to enjoy what you do have more.

Krista & Alison, A Sustainably Simple Life

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I’ve started coming to the realisation that memories and stories are more powerful and valuable than loads of material items. 

Jaclyn, Jaclynistic Vibes

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Don’t keep cookie cutter items – items you think you HAVE to keep because the majority of the world does. 

Brittany, Mind.Beauty.Simplicity

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And from other experts….

Motivation to get started

The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t.

Joshua Becker

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Decluttering is infinitely easier when you think of it as deciding what to keep, rather than deciding what to throw away.

Francine Jay

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Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.

Barbara Hemphill

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What to keep

If you’re not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You’re not going to start using it more by shoving it in a closet somewhere.

Joshua Becker

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Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

William Morris

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The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.

Marie Kondo

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Organization

The easiest way to organize your stuff is to get rid of most of it.

Joshua Fields Millburn

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Accept the limitations of the space you have, and declutter enough that your stuff fits comfortably in that space.

Dana K. White

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Benefits of decluttering…

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

Gretchen Ruben

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Letting go of physical clutter also declutters mind and soul.

April Williams

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Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Leonardo DaVinci

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On what matters…

Minimalism isn’t about removing things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.

Joshua Becker

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Love people, use things. The opposite never works.

Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus, The Minimalists

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Letting go of the past

You don’t need a heap of clutter to bring back happy memories of those you love.

Rita Emmett

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Just because you dispose of something does not mean you give up past experiences or your identity.

Marie Kondo

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Expensive clutter

Remember that the money you spend on your item is gone. You are not any richer because you store this item in your home, and you won’t be poorer if you let it go.

Cassandra Aarssen

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An amazing bargain that ultimately makes my life more difficult isn’t an amazing bargain at all.

Dana K. White

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Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

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Join the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge!

If these quotes have inspired you, it’s not too late to join my 52-Week Decluttering Challenge. In this year-long challenge, we’re tackling a different decluttering task every week in 2021.

You can find the all the details and free printables on my main Decluttering page.

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Which of these quotes is your favourite? Tell me below.