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Declutter Your Heart and Your Home: How a Minimalist Life Yields Maximum Joy
Declutter Your Heart and Your Home provides tips, tricks, and tools to rid yourself of the internal and external clutter weighing you down, as well as relatable stories and soul-nourishing truths from Scripture to fill your heart and home with what truly matters.
Do you long for a richer life? One with meaning, purpose, and simplicity? One that's lighter, freer, and more focused on who and what matters?
As moms who are busy, stressed out, and living in survival mode, we feel desperate for peace--with ourselves, our families, our homes, and God. But we often don't know how to find it.
God wants us to experience abundant life--and it all starts with clearing clutter, first in our hearts, then in our homes. Julia Ubbenga--creator of the popular blog Rich in What Matters--is a trustworthy guide and companion as she shares the tips, tricks, and inspiring lessons she's learned on her own journey to minimalism. Her book will help
Identify the unhealthy habits and addictions that disorder your lifeRedefine your relationship with money and the stuff it buysFind freedom from hurry, chaos, and consumerismReclaim God's peace in your heart and your home
This journey toward simplicity will transform your life.
Do you long for a richer life? One with meaning, purpose, and simplicity? One that's lighter, freer, and more focused on who and what matters?
As moms who are busy, stressed out, and living in survival mode, we feel desperate for peace--with ourselves, our families, our homes, and God. But we often don't know how to find it.
God wants us to experience abundant life--and it all starts with clearing clutter, first in our hearts, then in our homes. Julia Ubbenga--creator of the popular blog Rich in What Matters--is a trustworthy guide and companion as she shares the tips, tricks, and inspiring lessons she's learned on her own journey to minimalism. Her book will help
Identify the unhealthy habits and addictions that disorder your lifeRedefine your relationship with money and the stuff it buysFind freedom from hurry, chaos, and consumerismReclaim God's peace in your heart and your home
This journey toward simplicity will transform your life.
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 29, 2026
"I wasn't quite sure what it meant to become rich in what matters, but in that moment I resolved to find out."Julia spent her earlier years surrounded by love...and by stuff. Her grandmother's love language was gift-giving and a young Julia happily accepted.
When she grew older, those early (but unintentional) life lessons influenced how she interacted with the world. Shopping was a hobby, a pastime, and an adventure.
But newly postpartum, Julia became uncomfortably aware of how much stuff she had and how much mental energy she spent cataloguing, keeping track and maintaining it all. Was this the life she truly wanted?
After an exhausting and emotional revelation, Julia Ubbenga realized that she needed to make a big, permanent change - for the betterment of her life, her children's lives, and for her soul.
"Julia," my therapist began thoughtfully, "have you ever heard of minimalism?"
Ehhhh...I wanted to hear her thoughts on decluttering more than I wanted her to quote Bible verses at me.... but that's what I get for picking it based on the title rather than reading the description.
I'm currently going through a (somewhat similar, though far less religious) declutter in my own home and as a motivator, I've been listening to audiobooks about organizing, cleaning, and purging.
And to be fair, the author does include some information about decluttering and what an uplifting experience it was for her...but every time she did that, she did it with a bible quote about saving souls in hand.
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of books when it's a thinly veiled excuse to preach at the audience about why you need to follow the author's lifestyle or risk your soul. It makes everything feel rather...life or death and I'm just condensing boxes and donating extra Christmas decorations.
That being said, it did provide some perspective on what cleaning can mean to other people...so there's that.
April 22, 2025
Wow, this was such a motivational book. I am honestly so glad I have read this. Not only does it help me understand, motivate me, and increase my want to declutter my space.. it also taught me great life lessons along the way in other aspects of like (like the issues with being distracted). I loved that this referenced God and had great advice on so many different aspects many of us struggle with. I'll try to implement more of this in my life. I am excited to try out this and declutter to live more freely!
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. However, all of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. However, all of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
Did Not Finish
May 18, 2026DNF
This one is mostly on me for not reading the full description of the book prior to purchasing…
I was hoping that this book would give more of a tips and tricks for the average busy person (whether it be that you are a stay at home mom, working mom or even a working single human) to stay organized and to declutter your home. However it is more here’s why God is great oh by the way having too much stuff is ruining your life and relationship with God.
I am not an anti-religion person but I am also not religious myself so this book just wasn’t for me.
This one is mostly on me for not reading the full description of the book prior to purchasing…
I was hoping that this book would give more of a tips and tricks for the average busy person (whether it be that you are a stay at home mom, working mom or even a working single human) to stay organized and to declutter your home. However it is more here’s why God is great oh by the way having too much stuff is ruining your life and relationship with God.
I am not an anti-religion person but I am also not religious myself so this book just wasn’t for me.
April 11, 2025
Christian women who are interested in minimalism will appreciate how this book combines home and lifestyle advice with spiritual reflections. Julia Ubbenga shares her personal story of overcoming a life of consumerism and clutter, and she reflects on how this has enhanced her life and deepened her relationship with God. She encourages readers to experience the same freedom, and the early chapters explore foundational concepts about pursuing a simpler lifestyle and address some of the spiritual issues beneath many people's consumer habits.
The rest of the book shares practical insights for decluttering different parts of your home. The author shares helpful tips and ideas, and the writing is straightforward and easy to read, with helpful headings and lists. This is the kind of book that someone can work through systematically or skim for whatever project they're working on at the moment. In addition to being very practical, these chapters also address common heart issues related to these spaces, such as comparison for your closet or reactivity for your child's room. At the end of each chapter, there are also brief reflection exercises related to both your internal life and your home.
Because of the strong emphasis on spiritual themes, this book will primarily appeal to readers who share the author's faith. People with other belief backgrounds can still appreciate the practical insights and tips, but they may find this book more of a turn-off than some other lifestyle books from Christian publishers. This one not only has very strong Christian themes, but also makes other sweeping statements, like the idea that you can't declutter your home without God's help. Just because a Christian's experience is incomplete without God doesn't mean that non-believers can't accomplish the same earthly goal of keeping a tidy, minimalist home. I appreciate the author's overall message about relying on God, but this kind of exaggerated phrasing is not helpful.
This book is full of deep, helpful insights and practical tips for pursuing a simpler lifestyle and letting go of excess. This will primarily appeal to Christian women, and the author's vulnerable personal stories and wise advice can help this audience think through and reevaluate their lives, purge unneeded items from their homes, and adopt a slower, more sustainable pace of living.
I received a free ARC from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The rest of the book shares practical insights for decluttering different parts of your home. The author shares helpful tips and ideas, and the writing is straightforward and easy to read, with helpful headings and lists. This is the kind of book that someone can work through systematically or skim for whatever project they're working on at the moment. In addition to being very practical, these chapters also address common heart issues related to these spaces, such as comparison for your closet or reactivity for your child's room. At the end of each chapter, there are also brief reflection exercises related to both your internal life and your home.
Because of the strong emphasis on spiritual themes, this book will primarily appeal to readers who share the author's faith. People with other belief backgrounds can still appreciate the practical insights and tips, but they may find this book more of a turn-off than some other lifestyle books from Christian publishers. This one not only has very strong Christian themes, but also makes other sweeping statements, like the idea that you can't declutter your home without God's help. Just because a Christian's experience is incomplete without God doesn't mean that non-believers can't accomplish the same earthly goal of keeping a tidy, minimalist home. I appreciate the author's overall message about relying on God, but this kind of exaggerated phrasing is not helpful.
This book is full of deep, helpful insights and practical tips for pursuing a simpler lifestyle and letting go of excess. This will primarily appeal to Christian women, and the author's vulnerable personal stories and wise advice can help this audience think through and reevaluate their lives, purge unneeded items from their homes, and adopt a slower, more sustainable pace of living.
I received a free ARC from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 30, 2025
I’ve read a few minimalism/decluttering books and have watched even more content on YouTube over the years and this is by far the best I’ve found on the topic! I think the pairing of attention on your inner home as well as the outer is what sealed it for me. What good is a perfectly decluttered home if your heart still isn’t right and open to where the Lord is and what He’s doing? This was so practical physically and spiritually!
April 21, 2026
Loved this and I really have been in my declutter and living in my low consumption era so this was perfect and not too intense on throwing everything and anything out!!
June 9, 2025
A great Christ centered book if you are interested in minimizing your home and getting away from clutter. I definitely see the ideas from this book changing my life.
October 22, 2025
>>> to ponder<<<
I once read that the state of our home reflects the state of our soul.
Peter Walsh said, "Your home should be the antidote to stress, not the cause of it."'
Parenting from a state of overwhelm has been normalized and even become expected.
materialism can indirectly distort the way we view others by leading us to prioritize possessions above people.
"The point of simplicity is not efficiency, increased productivity or even living a healthier, more relaxed life," writes Jan Johnson in Abundant Simplicity. "The point is making space for treasuring God's own self."
The call to a simple life was an invitation to freedom. To let go of everything that wasn't supporting me, serving me, or helping me build an outer and inner home centered on God.
Minimalism by itself isn't even a sure ticket to happiness. While minimalism will create space in your life, you still have to decide what to fill that space with.
Minimalism is not organizing but de-owning.
John Mark Comer, "The goal [of mini-malism] isn't just to declutter your closet or garage, but to declutter your life. To clear away the myriad of distractions that rachet up our anxiety, feed us an endless stream of mind-numbing drivel, and anesthetize us to what really matters."
What did I want my time on earth to look like?
Leo Babauta writes, “Simplicity boils down to two steps:
1. Identify the essential.
2. Eliminate the rest."
Joshua Becker speaks of the universal benefits of minimalism. "Excess possessions have the power to enslave us physically, psychologically, and financially," he writes. "Stuff is cumbersome and difficult to transport. It weighs on the spirit and makes us feel heavy. On the other hand, every time we remove an unnecessary item, we gain back a little freedom."
This financial shift is possible for you too. Sethi suggests spending unapologetically on what you love as long as you cut costs mercilessly on what you don't love.
Any half-awake materialist well knows - that which you hold holds you.
-TOM ROBBINS
was all his. I was simply the steward, which gave the term "stuff manager" a much different feel.
As I considered letting go, the question wasn't, "How do I give everything away?" but rather "How do I follow Jesus with everything?"
Carrie Gress writes, "Our homes can readily reveal what is happening behind the door of our soul." Your external environment can serve as a lens to your inner environment.
"When I hold on to the wrong things, the wrong things hold on to me,"writes Emily P. Freeman
your most formidable decluttering barrier is often yourself.
According to the National Science Foundation, 80 percent of our thoughts are negative and 95 percent of our thoughts are repetitive.
When faced with an item you're struggling to let go of, dig deep. Ask yourself questions to uncover any biases. Would you buy this item today? If yes, how much would you pay for it?
Understanding that less stuff means more quality time with loved ones can override any of your reasons for holding on to unwanted possessions.
remember that your memories are stored in your mind, not in your stuff.
The Minimalists' 20/20 Rule is a powerful way to let go of “just in case" items. This rule suggests letting the possession go if ...
•you can replace it for less than twenty dollars
• and you can replace it in less than twenty minutes.
For life to be lighter, I had to focus on letting go of what was heavi-est. What did it matter if I had an organized kitchen drawer when I was drowning in kids' clothes and toys?
Studies show that decluttering reduces the amount of time spent on housework by 40 percent in the average home.' Let that stat sink in for a minute. That's almost half the number of housework-dedicated minutes of your life.
If you spend ten hours a week cleaning, organizing, and maintaining things, you could gain back four of those hours simply by having less stuff to manage.
If you set a timer and spend 15 minutes each morning (or evening) decluttering, that's 7.5 hours a month and 90 hours a year. Small, consistent efforts lead to big changes.
Decluttering is an investment in your relationship with your kids and others.
"My goal is no longer to get more done, but to have less to do," writes author Francine Jay in Miss Minimalist.
You have to be ruthless to make the real change you're being called to. Remember, there is so much life on the other side of all your stuff.
As mentioned, the amount of stuff you place on your fridge likely reflects the amount of clutter in your home. If you want to take immediate action and make your kitchen feel lighter in minutes, declutter the front of your fridge.
today's fashion industry capitalizes on our obsession with the visible. In 1930 the average woman had 36 items in her closet-today it's 120.3 Most fashion trends today last around two to four months…
average American household spends $160 on clothing each month (nearly $2,000 a year), but studies show we wear only 20 percent of our clothing.* And yet 61 percent of Americans regularly stand before their full closets and claim they have "nothing to wear." What's the remedy to our textile overconsumption and discontent?
"All that clutter used to be money" came to mind.
Cassandra Aarssen, author of Real Life Organizing: "Remember that the money you spent on that item is gone. You're not any richer if you store this item in your home, and you won't be any poorer if you let it go."
Pay attention to each article of clothing you choose to declutter. Why are you letting it go (was it the fit, the colors, etc.)? Use this information to make better clothing purchases in the future.
our brains can become fatigued before the day even begins.
Be prepared to repeat outfits. No one cares if you wear the same thing twice in a week, or even on consecutive days. Research shows that, after each interaction, people spend only about ten seconds thinking about you; they're usually thinking about themselves.
I needed the deeper antidote to social comparison: gratitude.
Thankfulness is essential to your inner decluttering journey too. Just as your outer world is simplified by a curated capsule wardrobe, your inner world is simplified by replacing your comparing heart with a grateful one that's thankful for not only what you own but also who you are.
God is the giver of all things good in our lives. When the gifts eclipse the Giver, when we focus on stuff instead of its source, comparison sets in. To quote Paul again, "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). Read that again. An unseen force is at work in your life, sustaining your every breath, providing for your every need.
God's goodness and presence are within you, around you, covering your life— the life you have, not the life you wish you had, expected to have, or feel you deserve to have. Can you see that? Is your heart in tune with his gifts?
gratitude is simply a matter of focus.
Gratitude won't make you always happy-that's not real life. It will, how-ever, make your life simpler and more joy-filled as you carve out more space for contentment with who you are and what you have.
Hurry is not just a disordered schedule.
Hurry is a disordered heart.
-JOHN ORTBERG
rushing wasn't truly living. Psalms 39:6
Jesus was never worried about time. Maybe because his perception of time involved eternity-time without end. And he extends that promise to those who are his. I was promised eternity, but I still felt like I never had enough time.
Writer Corrie ten Boom said that if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy. Read that again. BUSY might as well stand for "being under Satan's yoke."
WHAT IS YOUR VISION? Before decluttering your living room and bedroom, develop your vision for these rooms. Be specific-we're talking laser-like precision. Let the purpose of these two rooms become so clear that you could outline it in your sleep. Write down a phrase or several words that define your rooms' purpose. I chose connection and rest. These words were the standard by which every item in the room was measured. If something didn't pass the connection-and-rest test, it didn't stay. Maybe your word is leisure or a space for hobbies (both forms of rest).
A 2009 study by the University of Sussex revealed that a mere six minutes of reading can reduce a person's stress level by 68 percent.
For more tips on decluttering books, go to www.richinwhatmatters.com and search "books."
Cheryl Richardson, "If you want to improve your life imme-diately, clean out a closet. Often it's what we hold onto that holds us back. "
Lysa TerKeurst says, "Whenever you say yes to something, there is less of you for something else. Make sure your yes is worth the less."
If you want your children to turn out well. spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. ABIGAIL VAN BUREN
Carl Jung said that children do not distinguish between ritual and reality. In the world of childhood, toys are ritual objects with powerful meaning and resonance.
To a child, a mountain of toys is more than something to trip over. It's a topographical map of their emerging worldview. The mountain, casting a large symbolic shadow, means "I can choose this toy, or that, or this one way down here, or that: They are all mine! But there are so many that none of them have value. I must want something else!" This worldview shapes their emotional landscape as well; children given so very many choices learn to undervalue them all, and hold out-always —for whatever elusive thing isn't offered. "More!"
A continual stream of stuff begets a desire for even more.
having fewer toys "invites deeper play - and engagement. An avalanche of toys invites emotional disconnect and a sense of overwhelm.'
Consistently asking your child whether the artwork is "ta da" or "ta dump" plants the seed that not everything needs to be kept.
Viktor E. Frankl is attributed with saying, "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Our emotions are a gift from God. They give us information about our needs and where God wants to meet us in our lives.
"As you decrease the quantity of your child's toys and clutter, you increase their attention and their capacity for deep play."'
What would it feel like to surround myself only with things that supported the person God was calling me to become today, now?
Would you feel relieved? Then let that item go. Would you feel good, but a little guilty? Then take a picture of the item and then let it go. Would you feel devastated? Then that's an item you definitely want to keep.
Patrick Lencioni, "If everything is important, then nothing is."
Attention is the beginning of devotion.
-MARY OLIVER
"Minimalism doesn't mean always tidy," writes author Rachelle Crawford. "It just means easily tidied."
Charles Duhigg suggests that we can't end habits; we can only replace them.
I once read that the state of our home reflects the state of our soul.
Peter Walsh said, "Your home should be the antidote to stress, not the cause of it."'
Parenting from a state of overwhelm has been normalized and even become expected.
materialism can indirectly distort the way we view others by leading us to prioritize possessions above people.
"The point of simplicity is not efficiency, increased productivity or even living a healthier, more relaxed life," writes Jan Johnson in Abundant Simplicity. "The point is making space for treasuring God's own self."
The call to a simple life was an invitation to freedom. To let go of everything that wasn't supporting me, serving me, or helping me build an outer and inner home centered on God.
Minimalism by itself isn't even a sure ticket to happiness. While minimalism will create space in your life, you still have to decide what to fill that space with.
Minimalism is not organizing but de-owning.
John Mark Comer, "The goal [of mini-malism] isn't just to declutter your closet or garage, but to declutter your life. To clear away the myriad of distractions that rachet up our anxiety, feed us an endless stream of mind-numbing drivel, and anesthetize us to what really matters."
What did I want my time on earth to look like?
Leo Babauta writes, “Simplicity boils down to two steps:
1. Identify the essential.
2. Eliminate the rest."
Joshua Becker speaks of the universal benefits of minimalism. "Excess possessions have the power to enslave us physically, psychologically, and financially," he writes. "Stuff is cumbersome and difficult to transport. It weighs on the spirit and makes us feel heavy. On the other hand, every time we remove an unnecessary item, we gain back a little freedom."
This financial shift is possible for you too. Sethi suggests spending unapologetically on what you love as long as you cut costs mercilessly on what you don't love.
Any half-awake materialist well knows - that which you hold holds you.
-TOM ROBBINS
was all his. I was simply the steward, which gave the term "stuff manager" a much different feel.
As I considered letting go, the question wasn't, "How do I give everything away?" but rather "How do I follow Jesus with everything?"
Carrie Gress writes, "Our homes can readily reveal what is happening behind the door of our soul." Your external environment can serve as a lens to your inner environment.
"When I hold on to the wrong things, the wrong things hold on to me,"writes Emily P. Freeman
your most formidable decluttering barrier is often yourself.
According to the National Science Foundation, 80 percent of our thoughts are negative and 95 percent of our thoughts are repetitive.
When faced with an item you're struggling to let go of, dig deep. Ask yourself questions to uncover any biases. Would you buy this item today? If yes, how much would you pay for it?
Understanding that less stuff means more quality time with loved ones can override any of your reasons for holding on to unwanted possessions.
remember that your memories are stored in your mind, not in your stuff.
The Minimalists' 20/20 Rule is a powerful way to let go of “just in case" items. This rule suggests letting the possession go if ...
•you can replace it for less than twenty dollars
• and you can replace it in less than twenty minutes.
For life to be lighter, I had to focus on letting go of what was heavi-est. What did it matter if I had an organized kitchen drawer when I was drowning in kids' clothes and toys?
Studies show that decluttering reduces the amount of time spent on housework by 40 percent in the average home.' Let that stat sink in for a minute. That's almost half the number of housework-dedicated minutes of your life.
If you spend ten hours a week cleaning, organizing, and maintaining things, you could gain back four of those hours simply by having less stuff to manage.
If you set a timer and spend 15 minutes each morning (or evening) decluttering, that's 7.5 hours a month and 90 hours a year. Small, consistent efforts lead to big changes.
Decluttering is an investment in your relationship with your kids and others.
"My goal is no longer to get more done, but to have less to do," writes author Francine Jay in Miss Minimalist.
You have to be ruthless to make the real change you're being called to. Remember, there is so much life on the other side of all your stuff.
As mentioned, the amount of stuff you place on your fridge likely reflects the amount of clutter in your home. If you want to take immediate action and make your kitchen feel lighter in minutes, declutter the front of your fridge.
today's fashion industry capitalizes on our obsession with the visible. In 1930 the average woman had 36 items in her closet-today it's 120.3 Most fashion trends today last around two to four months…
average American household spends $160 on clothing each month (nearly $2,000 a year), but studies show we wear only 20 percent of our clothing.* And yet 61 percent of Americans regularly stand before their full closets and claim they have "nothing to wear." What's the remedy to our textile overconsumption and discontent?
"All that clutter used to be money" came to mind.
Cassandra Aarssen, author of Real Life Organizing: "Remember that the money you spent on that item is gone. You're not any richer if you store this item in your home, and you won't be any poorer if you let it go."
Pay attention to each article of clothing you choose to declutter. Why are you letting it go (was it the fit, the colors, etc.)? Use this information to make better clothing purchases in the future.
our brains can become fatigued before the day even begins.
Be prepared to repeat outfits. No one cares if you wear the same thing twice in a week, or even on consecutive days. Research shows that, after each interaction, people spend only about ten seconds thinking about you; they're usually thinking about themselves.
I needed the deeper antidote to social comparison: gratitude.
Thankfulness is essential to your inner decluttering journey too. Just as your outer world is simplified by a curated capsule wardrobe, your inner world is simplified by replacing your comparing heart with a grateful one that's thankful for not only what you own but also who you are.
God is the giver of all things good in our lives. When the gifts eclipse the Giver, when we focus on stuff instead of its source, comparison sets in. To quote Paul again, "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). Read that again. An unseen force is at work in your life, sustaining your every breath, providing for your every need.
God's goodness and presence are within you, around you, covering your life— the life you have, not the life you wish you had, expected to have, or feel you deserve to have. Can you see that? Is your heart in tune with his gifts?
gratitude is simply a matter of focus.
Gratitude won't make you always happy-that's not real life. It will, how-ever, make your life simpler and more joy-filled as you carve out more space for contentment with who you are and what you have.
Hurry is not just a disordered schedule.
Hurry is a disordered heart.
-JOHN ORTBERG
rushing wasn't truly living. Psalms 39:6
Jesus was never worried about time. Maybe because his perception of time involved eternity-time without end. And he extends that promise to those who are his. I was promised eternity, but I still felt like I never had enough time.
Writer Corrie ten Boom said that if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy. Read that again. BUSY might as well stand for "being under Satan's yoke."
WHAT IS YOUR VISION? Before decluttering your living room and bedroom, develop your vision for these rooms. Be specific-we're talking laser-like precision. Let the purpose of these two rooms become so clear that you could outline it in your sleep. Write down a phrase or several words that define your rooms' purpose. I chose connection and rest. These words were the standard by which every item in the room was measured. If something didn't pass the connection-and-rest test, it didn't stay. Maybe your word is leisure or a space for hobbies (both forms of rest).
A 2009 study by the University of Sussex revealed that a mere six minutes of reading can reduce a person's stress level by 68 percent.
For more tips on decluttering books, go to www.richinwhatmatters.com and search "books."
Cheryl Richardson, "If you want to improve your life imme-diately, clean out a closet. Often it's what we hold onto that holds us back. "
Lysa TerKeurst says, "Whenever you say yes to something, there is less of you for something else. Make sure your yes is worth the less."
If you want your children to turn out well. spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. ABIGAIL VAN BUREN
Carl Jung said that children do not distinguish between ritual and reality. In the world of childhood, toys are ritual objects with powerful meaning and resonance.
To a child, a mountain of toys is more than something to trip over. It's a topographical map of their emerging worldview. The mountain, casting a large symbolic shadow, means "I can choose this toy, or that, or this one way down here, or that: They are all mine! But there are so many that none of them have value. I must want something else!" This worldview shapes their emotional landscape as well; children given so very many choices learn to undervalue them all, and hold out-always —for whatever elusive thing isn't offered. "More!"
A continual stream of stuff begets a desire for even more.
having fewer toys "invites deeper play - and engagement. An avalanche of toys invites emotional disconnect and a sense of overwhelm.'
Consistently asking your child whether the artwork is "ta da" or "ta dump" plants the seed that not everything needs to be kept.
Viktor E. Frankl is attributed with saying, "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Our emotions are a gift from God. They give us information about our needs and where God wants to meet us in our lives.
"As you decrease the quantity of your child's toys and clutter, you increase their attention and their capacity for deep play."'
What would it feel like to surround myself only with things that supported the person God was calling me to become today, now?
Would you feel relieved? Then let that item go. Would you feel good, but a little guilty? Then take a picture of the item and then let it go. Would you feel devastated? Then that's an item you definitely want to keep.
Patrick Lencioni, "If everything is important, then nothing is."
Attention is the beginning of devotion.
-MARY OLIVER
"Minimalism doesn't mean always tidy," writes author Rachelle Crawford. "It just means easily tidied."
Charles Duhigg suggests that we can't end habits; we can only replace them.
August 16, 2025
I’ve read several minimalist/decluttering/get-your-priorities-straight books. I think the author of this book quoted them all? And I thought each of those books said it better.
In one sense this books is still helpful because it encompasses the physical, spiritual, and mental clutter all in one book (and it’s not too long). Her spirituality seemed a bit hokey to me, but i think we agree on values and belief systems. I gleaned some helpful hints for decluttering storage/sentimental items and paper systems.
In one sense this books is still helpful because it encompasses the physical, spiritual, and mental clutter all in one book (and it’s not too long). Her spirituality seemed a bit hokey to me, but i think we agree on values and belief systems. I gleaned some helpful hints for decluttering storage/sentimental items and paper systems.
January 4, 2026
A friend shared this book as she was inspired to pursue a more minimalistic lifestyle. I am NOT a minimalist, nor do I feel called to mark that change. However, this had some very good views on relating a cluttered life to a distractedness from what matters.
It also provided insights/suggestions on how to overcome obstacles when decluttering different areas of your home.
It also provided insights/suggestions on how to overcome obstacles when decluttering different areas of your home.
January 18, 2026
Pretty sure I picked this up because of an article in a Momco magazine. It is part practical theology and part survey of well-known writers and speakers on topics like personal finance, habits, minimalism, and organization. I'm debating making a copy of its bibliography just to hit any of those authors that I haven't yet read.
August 9, 2025
I found this book extremely helpful. Some of the minimalist ideas were a little extreme for me, but that is just my opinion. Some people would find it a perfect solution to clutter.
December 8, 2025
good! pretty run of the mill organizing stuff - love that all my favorite reads were quoted
December 12, 2025
Really loved pairing the physical act of decluttering with the spiritual act of “decluttering” our minds and habits to make more room for time with God and people.
January 16, 2026
Inspiring. I’m now on the decluttering journey.
February 25, 2026
So good. I got rid of a lot of my stuff after this one 😂 I'm obsessed with decluttering books, and this one was one of my favorites so far.
September 17, 2025
I’ve read a lot of books on simplicity and minimalism, and I appreciate how this one stands out by connecting faith with the “why” of minimalism. If you’re looking for a ton of in depth instructions on how to declutter there are more detailed books for that, many of which she references throughout the book.
Honestly, most of her practical tips are not new if you’ve read much about minimalism. She brings lots of research together to give an overview, which could be a helpful starting place if you’re new to minimalism, but won’t surprise you if you’ve read a few books. I do really appreciate the faith aspect though and found the book insightful because of it.
Honestly, most of her practical tips are not new if you’ve read much about minimalism. She brings lots of research together to give an overview, which could be a helpful starting place if you’re new to minimalism, but won’t surprise you if you’ve read a few books. I do really appreciate the faith aspect though and found the book insightful because of it.
October 21, 2025
***starts immediately decluttering and purging everything
So good! 🤩
So good! 🤩
September 29, 2025
Amazing book!!
June 29, 2025
The only reason it took me so long to finish this book was because it truly inspired me to go actively declutter various spots in our home, little by little, while reading and doing full time parenting! I highly recommend it! It’s very readable, with advice that comes from the genuine lived experience of the author. She provides many practical ideas that can suit a great number of readers. Happy decluttering and re-focusing on what matters!
May 14, 2025
Sweet, helpful guide to minimalism from a Christian perspective. This book shares a lot of practical advice on decluttering your possessions, while also reminding the reader who they are as a child of God and that their life is measured by so much more than the stuff they own.
I quite enjoyed it and it has convicted me to begin pursuing a path of simple living.
I quite enjoyed it and it has convicted me to begin pursuing a path of simple living.
February 22, 2026
A couple of years ago I had to empty my parents' home after their passing, and the property had to be cleared within a very short space of time. Much of what we got rid of was stuff that had sat in their home for years, including many things crammed into a walk-in cupboard behind the sofa, some of which was broken and no longer in working order. I was recovering from surgery; it was an exhausting task; time and again I found myself muttering "what on earth were they doing holding on to all this stuff?" The bottom line is most of it found its way to a charity shop or the tip (sorry; recycling centre!).
The net result too is that a few items ended up in my small, already cluttered home, and I've started to realise as I look around that one day I might well leave my daughter with the same stressful task; a task that in many ways was a tarnish on a period of time that should have been focused on grieving, reflection, and in short, more important things. As Julia Ubbenga conments at one point, even those things of mum and dad's that I've decided to hold on to for sentimental reasons probably won't be sentimental to my daughter when the time comes. All I'm really doing is delaying their inevitable journey to a new owner .... or landfill.
Keen to not go down the same path, leaving my daughter with the full weight of getting rid of everything, I found myself drawn to this book. Overall I found it quite interesting and helpful, although many of the ideas I had heard before. It was helpful though not only to have the ideas drawn into one place, but also the categorisation under themes - decluttering the wardrobe, household items, the kitchen, sentimental items, and digital decluttering. Some of it was a bit extreme; I can't imagine I'm going to put the toaster in a cupboard just because it's only used four minutes a day (all those toast crumbs being spread around!) but I am feeling motivated to go into the spring and summer months with an air of intention, and to try to be realistic in assessing what I actually need and want to keep. I do think the "do I need it or does it give me joy principle" is a good starting place, and important too to be reminded of the potential benefits .... reducing distraction, simplifying life, reducing spending, creating space for more important pursuits ...... and (because this is written from a Christian perspective) increasing opportunity to connect with God.
Anyway, a helpful and practical guide, I thought, and a book that has left me sufficiently motivated to change my ways; it's only Feb, so we'll have to see how we are doing by the end of the year!
The net result too is that a few items ended up in my small, already cluttered home, and I've started to realise as I look around that one day I might well leave my daughter with the same stressful task; a task that in many ways was a tarnish on a period of time that should have been focused on grieving, reflection, and in short, more important things. As Julia Ubbenga conments at one point, even those things of mum and dad's that I've decided to hold on to for sentimental reasons probably won't be sentimental to my daughter when the time comes. All I'm really doing is delaying their inevitable journey to a new owner .... or landfill.
Keen to not go down the same path, leaving my daughter with the full weight of getting rid of everything, I found myself drawn to this book. Overall I found it quite interesting and helpful, although many of the ideas I had heard before. It was helpful though not only to have the ideas drawn into one place, but also the categorisation under themes - decluttering the wardrobe, household items, the kitchen, sentimental items, and digital decluttering. Some of it was a bit extreme; I can't imagine I'm going to put the toaster in a cupboard just because it's only used four minutes a day (all those toast crumbs being spread around!) but I am feeling motivated to go into the spring and summer months with an air of intention, and to try to be realistic in assessing what I actually need and want to keep. I do think the "do I need it or does it give me joy principle" is a good starting place, and important too to be reminded of the potential benefits .... reducing distraction, simplifying life, reducing spending, creating space for more important pursuits ...... and (because this is written from a Christian perspective) increasing opportunity to connect with God.
Anyway, a helpful and practical guide, I thought, and a book that has left me sufficiently motivated to change my ways; it's only Feb, so we'll have to see how we are doing by the end of the year!
April 2, 2026
4.25 stars
If you want to read a great Christian book on decluttering and minimalism, I highly suggest this one. It was very good. I probably should rate it higher (we'll see).
Julia Ubbenga gives us insights into her life and how she was very materialistic. I liked hearing about how her grandmother bestowed many gifts to her and that she took that into her own shopping habits over time. She thought it was something that fulfilled her. When she racked up over $40K in debt, and when someone simply asked her to look into minimalism, she goes down a rabbit hole and is challenged. This book is about how Jesus ultimately taught her what was important and what wasn't (using scriptures as well). She realized her greed and her lack of self-control caused her more issues than she needed. She downsized, getting rid of 75% of her possessions.
As I review this book, she is not even ten years into minimalism but continues to keep up with maintaining a minimalistic lifestyle, because she realized how much better it was for her and her family.
I like how Julia gives a lot of tips for decluttering and how to downsize your own possessions too. She doesn't just tell her story, but she gives an idea of how others can improve their own lives with what worked for her.
She goes into the hold of sentimental items and how our phones take us away from time better spent as well, since it all ties in together with how we live our faith out.
Seriously great read. Usually, in reading books about minimalism, it can oftentimes sound like reading the same things over and over again (I've been a minimalist for twenty years, come just a few months, before the term existed). This was a breath of fresh air.
If you want to read a great Christian book on decluttering and minimalism, I highly suggest this one. It was very good. I probably should rate it higher (we'll see).
Julia Ubbenga gives us insights into her life and how she was very materialistic. I liked hearing about how her grandmother bestowed many gifts to her and that she took that into her own shopping habits over time. She thought it was something that fulfilled her. When she racked up over $40K in debt, and when someone simply asked her to look into minimalism, she goes down a rabbit hole and is challenged. This book is about how Jesus ultimately taught her what was important and what wasn't (using scriptures as well). She realized her greed and her lack of self-control caused her more issues than she needed. She downsized, getting rid of 75% of her possessions.
As I review this book, she is not even ten years into minimalism but continues to keep up with maintaining a minimalistic lifestyle, because she realized how much better it was for her and her family.
I like how Julia gives a lot of tips for decluttering and how to downsize your own possessions too. She doesn't just tell her story, but she gives an idea of how others can improve their own lives with what worked for her.
She goes into the hold of sentimental items and how our phones take us away from time better spent as well, since it all ties in together with how we live our faith out.
Seriously great read. Usually, in reading books about minimalism, it can oftentimes sound like reading the same things over and over again (I've been a minimalist for twenty years, come just a few months, before the term existed). This was a breath of fresh air.
November 27, 2025
This book was so helpful in so many ways, both around the home and with my spiritual walk and the way I look at items and physical things.
I read this over the course of a couple months a little bit at a time with my Bible reading in the morning, and it was just the perfect book to uplift my spirit, as well as encourage me as a homemaker. Not only does it talk about your walk with the Lord and the home, but also the heart behind spending and buying—all the way to the roots of how we grew up and what we were taught. Habits are formed young and stay with you.
This even gets into the detail of decluttering your brain as far as using devices like your phone, and that part really spoke to me as well.
I had the privilege of meeting Julia, and she is just the sweetest person. You can tell that what she wrote in her book is from her heart and she just really wants to bless others.
I read this over the course of a couple months a little bit at a time with my Bible reading in the morning, and it was just the perfect book to uplift my spirit, as well as encourage me as a homemaker. Not only does it talk about your walk with the Lord and the home, but also the heart behind spending and buying—all the way to the roots of how we grew up and what we were taught. Habits are formed young and stay with you.
This even gets into the detail of decluttering your brain as far as using devices like your phone, and that part really spoke to me as well.
I had the privilege of meeting Julia, and she is just the sweetest person. You can tell that what she wrote in her book is from her heart and she just really wants to bless others.
July 8, 2025
I really enjoyed it. Since I started homeschooling, I feel like my home has gained a whole lot more “stuff.” It has started giving me anxiety and I have been feeling like I needed to do something about it, but I was overwhelmed with where to begin. This book was so encouraging and thoughtful.
I also love thrifting and going to estate sales. I love to find a steal! I got this from my mom. I also am very sentimental and attach emotions and memories to items and then have a hard time parting with them. I get this from my dad. This book addressed both of these when it comes to sorting through things and maintaining a clutter free home. Very practical advice, but keeps the focus on what’s truly important: how a cluttered heart and mind doesn’t leave room for the Holy Spirit.
I also love thrifting and going to estate sales. I love to find a steal! I got this from my mom. I also am very sentimental and attach emotions and memories to items and then have a hard time parting with them. I get this from my dad. This book addressed both of these when it comes to sorting through things and maintaining a clutter free home. Very practical advice, but keeps the focus on what’s truly important: how a cluttered heart and mind doesn’t leave room for the Holy Spirit.
April 20, 2026
This isn't a bad book, but many better ones don't include bible verses. Quotes about serving the glory of god and being closer to Jesus are woven throughout the book and really add nothing, especially for non-believers. Her best advice is when she cites other authors' works on the subject. In addition, she doesn't provide a clear system or process that the reader can adopt. She does discuss removing certain items and handling children's toys/artwork/possessions, but there isn't a clear, overarching program.
I recommend "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo, or "Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism" by Fumio Sasaki, if you are looking for a process or system to help you downsize your possessions.
I recommend "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo, or "Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism" by Fumio Sasaki, if you are looking for a process or system to help you downsize your possessions.
May 31, 2025
Loved the concept of both the inner clutter and outer clutter affecting our lives. The references to scripture were very well used and consistent throughout. I do think this book did a good job of focusing on the why behind why you are choosing to declutter and keeping the focus on the higher value of living minimally.
The reason why I rated it lower is because I have read other Decluttering books in the past that felt more action focused and very practical. This book had good tips and steps but weren’t as impactful as other Decluttering books I have read for actually getting stuff out.
The reason why I rated it lower is because I have read other Decluttering books in the past that felt more action focused and very practical. This book had good tips and steps but weren’t as impactful as other Decluttering books I have read for actually getting stuff out.
April 15, 2026
Holding on to too many past objects can keep you from living fully in the present. Our possessions and living spaces should support the person we are becoming now, not the person we used to be.
Letting go is an exercise in trust that has a ripple effect in other areas of your life. Every fearful situation you overcome rewires your brain pathways, methodically modifying your thinking. When uprooting fear, the underlying question is, Whom or what do you trust? If your security is rooted in your belongings, then it's likely not in Jesus. The antidote to fear is trust.
Letting go is an exercise in trust that has a ripple effect in other areas of your life. Every fearful situation you overcome rewires your brain pathways, methodically modifying your thinking. When uprooting fear, the underlying question is, Whom or what do you trust? If your security is rooted in your belongings, then it's likely not in Jesus. The antidote to fear is trust.
July 7, 2025
This book has slowly been transforming my life for the better, getting me through some tough times, and bringing me back closer to the person I desire to be. I couldn't recommend it more highly. I just don't have the words. It is healing to body, mind, spirit, and soul. Julia gives great ideas, raw passionate but gentle honesty and it does feel like I was being guided by the closest of friends. I highlighted numerous lines on almost every page and know I will return to this book again.
October 21, 2025
i so appreciate this book and love a good declutter and someone recently called me a minimalist and I thought why yes, yes I am. 😂 i live in a 770 sq foot 2 bedroom home with my husband and 3 children who aren't terribly small anymore. so we definitely live with less out of necessity. but ive also grown to love having less. none of this was new information for me, so i found myself skipping sections but still appreciated the content of it.
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