...is stealing your potential.
Slowly. Silently. Surely. It's happening.
That pile of papers? It's a decision graveyard. Those clothes you never wear? They're dream killers. Your overflowing inbox? It's an opportunity thief.
I've lived out of a suitcase since 2021, and that suitcase contains all my possessions. It's incredibly freeing.
But we're all different.
Introducing the Japanese 5S Method. It's way to reframe decluttering even if you're not a total minimalist like me.
Here's the method and what each step means:
Sort (Seiri)
Keep only what serves your future self. No maybes, no "just in case." If it doesn't make you stronger, it goes.
Set in order (Seiton)
A place for everything, everything in its place. No wanderers, no nomads. Your stuff needs a home.
Shine (Seiso)
Cleanliness is a daily practice, not a destination. Dirt is the enemy of clarity. Make friends with your cleaning supplies.
Standardize (Seiketsu)
Create routines that make order automatic. Your space on autopilot. No more thinking about where things go.
Sustain (Shitsuke)
Commit to the process, reap lifelong rewards. This is your life now. Embrace it or go back to drowning in clutter.
Use it at work and home.
At work, inbox zero isn't a goal. It's a way of life. Your desk should be a distraction-free zone. Do a 2-minute morning reset. It's non-negotiable.
Quick wins? Do a weekly file purge. Reset your desk (and desktop) for 5 minutes every single day.
At home, ask yourself: "Does this make me stronger?" If not, it goes. Commit to 15 minutes of daily decluttering and a weekly purge.
One in, one out. No exceptions. Your space doesn't expand, so neither should your stuff.
Clutter-free space equals clutter-free thoughts.
Your space shapes your mind.