Old charging cables. Trainers you never wear. Every birthday card since you were 16. More tote bags than you know what to do with. While it’s easy to accumulate a lot of stuff, sorting through it and parting ways with the things you no longer need can feel like a much harder task.

“There are plenty of reasons why decluttering can feel overwhelming at first: it can take up quite a lot of time, you might have sentimental attachments to some items and it’s not always easy to dispose of items responsibly and sustainably,” explains Katrina Hassan, the professional organiser, declutterer and master-level certified KonMari consultant behind Spark Joy London.

That being said, the benefits of clearing out your space are undeniable. In 2022, a study by the University of Connecticut found that by removing or controlling clutter in our homes, we can directly reduce the stress that stems from the mess. People were found to be less irritable, less distracted, more productive and better able to process information when in a tidy environment.

How to use the 12-12-12 decluttering rule to make your September reset easier