Promoting Brain Health By Decluttering At Home

As I look around my home, I see the countless books that I’ve read and plan to read, my family room full of my grandson’s toys, closets full of clothing in different sizes, and the cherished treasures that I’ve accumulated over a lifetime. Plans to declutter have come and gone, with some, but not much, progress having been made. Determined to successfully tackle decluttering this time, on June 17, 2025, I attended the AARP webinar Promoting Brain Health by Decluttering at Home, led by licensed counselor Leslie Pendleton and moderated by AARP volunteer Evan Jones.

Pendleton immediately captured our attention when she noted that the one thing that keeps people from leaving their homes and receiving medical care is their “stuff”. As older Americans, many of us have worked hard to accumulate what we have, and it means a lot to us. We’ve also acquired things from our parents and grandparents. But despite the pride that we have in our belongings, Pendleton frankly advised us that “no one wants your stuff.” What can we do to avoid stressing out our caregivers and executors as they settle our estates? Pendleton offered ten helpful tips:

1. Include everyone in the house in your decluttering efforts;
2. Do a ten-minute sweep by starting with one section of an area, e.g., a closet, and return and do another sweep;
3. Unpack your bags when you return from a trip the day you return or the next day;
4. Put everything where it’s supposed to go in your home. Don’t bring in things that you don’t need. If you bring something in, take something else out.
5. Utilize a four-pile sort method (keep, sell, donate, and trash piles);
6. Distribute items to your heirs now so that you can see them enjoying your property while you’re living;
7. Don’t make the next generation feel obligated to take your stuff (avoid punting);
8. Donate things that your heirs won’t want. There are people in need who can use them (e.g., retirees can donate business clothing to Dress for Success);
9. Be realistic. Donate clothing that you can no longer fit and food that you’re not going to eat; and
10. Pare down paper and photos by shredding old documents and bills and digitalizing old photos.
    
    

Although decluttering can be a daunting, overwhelming task, Pendleton emphasized that a cluttered home can negatively impact brain health. Clutter can increase stress and anxiety, and possibly depression. A cluttered home can also lead to reduced focus, information processing and productivity. Clutter can even result in disrupted sleep patterns or insomnia and poor nutrition. Also, per Pendleton, a cluttered home can have an adverse impact on your relationships, leading to social isolation (perhaps because you don’t want to invite people into your cluttered home).

Since you can’t take it with you, free up your environment and your brain by implementing a strategy for decluttering and enjoy your new sense of freedom!