How To Declutter Your To-Do List (Not Just Your Closet)

When we think about decluttering, our minds usually go straight to closets, kitchens, or that one junk drawer that I keep telling myself to get control of but we all know that’s at the bottom of my priority list. *Snaps back to reality* But there’s another kind of clutter that weighs us down just as much: our to-do lists. If I just put a shiver down your spine, honey, you’re in the right spot!

If your list feels endless, overwhelming, or impossible to conquer, you’re not alone. You know that mental clutter we carry around that disguises itself as productivity? Yeah, I know it well. But I have some good news? You can declutter your to-do list the same way you declutter your home, by keeping what matters and letting go of the rest.

Why Decluttering Your To-Do List Matters

A bloated to-do list is as exhausting as the bloat you get right before your period. It tricks us into believing we’re always behind, which fuels guilt instead of motivation. By decluttering your list, you:

• Free up mental space for creativity and rest

• Focus on what actually moves the needle

• Break the cycle of overwhelm and procrastination

So let’s get into it, shall we?

Step 1: Dump It All Out

Start with a brain dump. If you don’t know me yet, you need to know that ya girl loves a good brain dump! Get everything swirling in your head onto paper (physical or digital, doesn’t matter as long as you do it). Don’t filter. Don’t organize. Just release it.

Step 2: Sort What Stays and What Goes

Once it’s out, look at each task and ask:

• Does this really matter to me right now?

• Is this something only I can do?

• Will this still matter a week, month, or year from now?

If the answer is “no,” let it go. (Yes, you can declutter your to-do list with the same Marie Kondo energy you use on your closet. It better be sparking joy, is all I’m saying!)

Step 3: Prioritize What Matters Most

Choose 3–5 tasks that matter most for today. Everything else becomes a “later” list or gets delegated. Less pressure, more progress.

Step 4: Create Gentle Rhythms

Instead of rewriting the same tasks every day (oh hello, laundry), build them into weekly or daily rhythms. This keeps your main list light and focused. (Hold this thought and stay tuned for an upcoming post on exactly this!)

A Gentle Reminder

Honey bee, you don’t have to do it all. A decluttered to-do list isn’t about getting less done. It’s about getting the right things done. The things that matter to you, your people, your creativity, and your well-being. (I’m starting to feel that jolt of the Holy Spirit! Y’all don’t get me preaching because I need to wrap this post up!)

So next time your list feels endless, pause and declutter. Your mind (and your heart) will thank you.

Until next time, my sweets!

-Lauren