There was a phase in my life where I felt constantly overwhelmed, for no particular reason.
I’d sit in my living room feeling weird but tired, like my brain was buffering.
And then I started noticing something simple: my space was always slightly chaotic.
An open delivery box here. A tangled charging cable there. Dishes were waiting “until later.”
I wasn’t lazy. I was overstimulated.
And once I began tidying—not for perfection, but for peace—everything began to shift.
🧘 Step 1: The Mind–Space Connection Is Real
We don’t talk about this enough: how much our environment reflects our mental state.
But also, how much it feeds into it.
When my apartment is visually loud—piles, mess, unmade corners—I feel noisy inside too.
But when everything has its place, I think more clearly, I breathe more deeply.
It’s like my brain finally gets to exhale.
🧺 Step 2: Small Shifts That Made the Biggest Difference
Decluttering doesn’t mean throwing everything away. It means removing friction from your day.
Here are 4 habits that changed my rhythm:
- A drop zone by the entryway
→ I added a rattan basket from Open Spaces for keys, bags, and sunglasses. Game changer. - Baskets everywhere—but beautiful ones
→ Try: Yamazaki Home or HAY for minimalist storage you won’t want to hide. - Uniform containers in the bathroom
→ Matching bottles for shampoo and conditioner from The Container Store made my shower feel like a spa. - Foldable storage ottoman in the living room
→ Great for hiding cozy throws, board games, and random clutter.
Bonus tip: I donate or resell what I haven’t used in 6 months. Not out of guilt—out of relief.
🌬 Step 3: Curating Calm Through Color & Light
Once things were organized, I realized: my home still felt visually “busy.”
So I simplified two things—my color palette and my lighting.
- I stuck to soft neutrals: oat, cream, dusty pink
- I swapped cool LEDs for warm-toned bulbs (love Philips Hue Ambiance set)
- I added one calming scent: “No.04 Bois de Balincourt” candle from Maison Louis Marie
Suddenly, the whole space whispered instead of shouting.
💫 Final Thoughts: Tidiness Isn’t About Control—It’s About Kindness
I used to think keeping a tidy home meant being rigid or fussy.
Now I see it as something deeply gentle—a way to support myself when life feels messy.
No, my home isn’t always spotless.
But it’s set up to be supportive, not overwhelming.
And that alone has made me feel more present, more peaceful, more me.
🛒 Want to declutter with style? Here’s My Calm Living Edit, featuring every little piece that helped me reclaim my space—and my peace.