Declutter Your Rhythms

A recording and reflections on decluttering as a biblical practice.

Reflect

Taking inventory
I’ll be honest. This post was supposed to be an entirely different topic for the month of April. But I needed to take inventory of my heart rather than stuffing my emotions like a junk drawer.

April was bittersweet— filled with anniversaries both happy and heartbreaking. We celebrated Easter, I turned 31 years old, we mourned the 8th year since my brother’s traumatic self-inflicted burn injury that led to a hospitalization and the hardship that comes with having a loved one with severe mental illnesses, and lastly, the 6th month mark since losing Papi unexpectedly. We also packed and shipped up our entire lives into two U-haul pods on the 20th and started this cross-country road trip on the 30th. So… here we are.

But as I felt the overwhelm, it hit me and this thought came to mind— am I abiding in Christ? The clutter in our lives is an indicator of a cluttered soul. In busy and chaotic seasons, I often find myself reading the Bible and treating like a quick on-the-go snack instead of sitting down for meal with a friend. Is it abiding or a quick skim of Scripture to check it off my list? Is the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word just a routine or a rhythm of meditating throughout the day (Psalm 1). So, in this post, we’re addressing our daily rhythms, including Bible reading and repenting.

Reframe

Decluttering as repenting and pruning
I’ve been asked several times, “What does it mean to declutter the heart?” As I sat with Jess Connolly and recorded this podcast episode, I described decluttering the heart as repentance rehearsed and abiding applied. I think of repenting and pruning similar to decluttering. To declutter simply means to remove. Sometimes the Lord is the one doing the removing through pruning and at times we need to confess and repent. It starts with repentance, which means to turn away from your sin and turn to Christ. Repentance is rehearsed over and over, confessing our sins to the Lord. He forgive and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And I love how this Bible verse mentions being refreshed by the Lord as a result of repenting— “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19-20).

Refresh

Abiding leads to peace
I love this definition of abiding by Robert Cheong, an author, friend, old boss, and mentor of mine. He writes, “Abiding in Christ is living by faith in His presence, promises, and power, resulting in the fruit of loving God and others.” Abiding in Christ means remaining connected to the True Vine, the source of life (John 15). And as you walk by the Holy Spirit or in other words, “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5), you produce fruit of the Spirit, such as peace and joy.

Declutter Discontent™ is a gospel-centered approach rooted in Christian contentment. This method helps you clear physical clutter, while also addressing the deeper issue: discontentment. Clutter isn’t just a home problem but a heart one too. This approach helps you declutter not only your environment but also the emotions you might not even be aware of going on. Because peace doesn’t come from a perfectly organized house, your curated social media posts, or a seemingly tidy life (trust me, I tried!). True lasting peace, not just relief, can only be produced by the God of peace.

Resource for monthly members

This month’s decluttering workshop and printable digital guide is all about decluttering burnout for paid subscribers below this paywall (only $7/mo if you subscribe here). Consider it a refresh for your soul and the start of a new month. There are 7 women in our monthly membership and I’d love for you to join too!

What’s Included:

• A printable journaling guide with Reflect, Reframe, and Refresh (3 sections)

• A series of pre-recorded videos (3 videos, 5 minutes each)