Hate Decluttering? Try the ‘Dissolving’ Method Instead

Most of us see decluttering as a never-ending task, but what if it didn't have to be that way? Olga Naiman, a New York-based stylist, interior designer, and author of the soon-to-be-released book Spatial Alchemy, says there's a better way to do it, and that process is called dissolving. Dissolving, Naiman says, is all about finding the why. Why can't you toss these items and why are they so emotionally fraught?

"When you just declutter, you fail to examine why you hold on to things or arrange your home as you do, you aren’t getting to the root of the problem," she says. "In contrast, the dissolving process not only helps clear space, but also helps you understand why you let things pile up in the first place." Ready to do a deep dive into dissolving? Read on!

What Is Dissolving?

"Dissolving is how we let go of outdated identities, unwanted patterns and low self-worth, in order to step into a more expanded version of ourselves," Naiman says. "This process is mirrored in the caterpillar dissolving its old form to transform into the butterfly. Transform means, literally, to go beyond form." When you dissolve, you're casting aside those identities that don't quite feel like you anymore. The people we were but no longer are.

When we dissolve, we're finding the real reasons behind our clutter. "You're separating out the layers of identity, personal value, and belief systems rather than simply purging without introspection or insight," she says. In order to fix the patterns of clutter in your home, you have to spot them and understand them first.

How do I Begin the Process of Dissolving?

Naiman lays out how do it in a few simple-ish steps.

Step 1: Address the Obvious Stuff

If your home is covered in piles of paper, broken toys, and clothes you know you'll never wear again, start here first. "Addressing this layer affects your body immediately and alleviates the effects of overwhelm."

Step 2: Take a Look at Those "Old You" Items

Find items that are tied to outdated identities. "Some personal items maintain a strong hold on you because they are tied to meaningful periods of your life—your childhood, maybe, or singledom," Naiman says. "When I want to cling to these things, out of nostalgia or fear of change, I ask myself whether I value that item more than I value the emerging identity I want to create."

Ask yourself these questions:

• Would I buy this item again today, given the chance?
• Is that item serving you well today?
• Did I remember I even owned this?

Naiman references a table she designed years ago and has kept ever since. It no longer serves any function in her home, so she needs to part with it. "Facing the finality of that can resemble a form of grief," she says.

Step 3: Find the Sentimental Objects

The hardest part of going through our things is that the vast majority carry some sense of emotional weight. Hand-me-downs, family heirlooms and gifts are all at the top of this category and are especially difficult to part with. "We project emotional energy onto them, and believe that we’ll be betraying someone dear if we get rid of their stuff," she says.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have I ever used this item or does it feel right in my home?
• Could someone else make better use of it?

"In reality, love exists outside of those objects, not within them," she says. "Dissolving means assessing if each piece is in alignment with your future self."

Step 4: Time to Toss

"The final layer to address is tied to your beliefs around wastefulness," Naiman says. She suggests making a list of things in your home that you truly love. What percentage of practical items (your storage furniture, cleaning items) make you feel happy or excited? If you're finding that a lot of those things are making you feel meh, consider that it might not be worth holding onto them. Stick with items that you chose for their aesthetic, in addition to just their practical value.