How to declutter when too much sparks joy
There are many items we keep around the house that, if we’re honest, are unnecessary. For those of us who love home decor—and who enjoy surrounding ourselves with beautiful things—the challenge isn’t always obvious mess. Often it’s having too many lovely things that each “spark joy.”
When clutter feels overwhelming, it can come from disorganization or from holding onto too many objects that bring happiness now or might someday. I used to keep everything. I’m still working on letting go, despite myself.
Part of the problem is uncertainty: we aren’t always sure what truly sparks joy for us, or we’re reluctant to part with things that could be useful or inspiring in the future.
Home lovers face a particular form of clutter I like to call DESIGN CHAOS SYNDROME (DCS). It’s not a clinical diagnosis, but it’s a real pattern many of us experience.
What is DESIGN CHAOS SYNDROME?
DCS often affects people who:
- love many beautiful things
- struggle with indecision or lack focus
- haven’t settled on a clear design direction
- appreciate multiple styles, colors, patterns and neutrals
- don’t have a clear plan or purpose for their home
- have recently moved or are remodeling
- hope to remodel or move someday and hold onto items for that future
- are in transition in some way
- have changed homes or styles over time
- accumulate extra decorative pillows and accessories
- collect yard sale finds for future projects
- stockpile craft supplies “just in case”
- keep long to-do lists of projects requiring paint, slipcovers or other updates
- prefer decorating or shopping to filing and paperwork
- pin organizing ideas on Pinterest more than they complete decluttering tasks
- are perfectionists who procrastinate
- start many projects and keep several in progress at once
- live in small homes overflowing with cherished items
- live in large homes with room for many joyful things
- have more joyful possessions than they can realistically maintain
If any of these describe you, you’re likely dealing with more than ordinary clutter. You may have too many things you love, or not enough time, space, or focus to manage them well.
These tendencies and the resulting pileups can feel overwhelming. I deal with ordinary clutter too—paper piles are my weakness—but the design-related accumulation has a distinct impact. If this resonates, your home might be affected by DCS.
The good news is your things don’t have to own you. For me the breakthrough wasn’t about having less joy; it was gaining focus. It’s helpful to keep things that spark joy, but when joy is everywhere it’s hard to maintain, organize, and streamline everything.
The struggle is real, but solvable.
I wrote Make Room for What You Love to help people wrestle with all levels of clutter—the obvious everyday mess and the design-driven abundance that comes from loving beautiful things. The book isn’t only about sparking joy or design; it’s for anyone who feels overwhelmed and wants practical ways to simplify and refocus their home and life.
My hope is the book will offer both practical steps and encouragement so you can make lasting changes you can see and feel.
Today is the book’s release day, and I’m excited for you to read it.
Order Make Room for What You Love at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
While I still don’t have it all together, at least I know where I’m going and have a plan to get me there. It feels so good to finally have strategies that work for me and my home, instead of my habits working against me. Whatever your challenges are, this book offers encouragement, hope, and realistic tips to help you get where you want to go.
* The giveaway is now closed and winners were contacted. *
Friends at DaySpring offered The Inspired Room readers a giveaway to celebrate the launch—thank you!
This gift bundle felt like a perfect way to celebrate. Writing a book means sharing heart, stories, and solutions with readers who care about making their homes meaningful. Thank you for the encouragement to keep sharing.
DaySpring gave away five sets of the items pictured below. Winners were contacted and asked to provide a U.S. shipping address.
Home is where you are welcome pennant // Good friend good book mug // Journal set
If you’re ready to simplify, you can find more information on the Make Room for What You Love book page.
Order Make Room for What You Love at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.