Simplifying or decluttering our lives is a habit that we should learn and inculcate in others. Well, I collect a lot of unused stuff. From clothing to old textbooks to the knick-knacks, my room used to be filled with them. Once you accumulate things over years, it’s hard to find a place for everything.

A cluttered home is a major source of stress for homeowners in Singapore, a 2014 survey has found. Grumbling about packed living spaces, but still hold on to things we no longer use is not uncommon in Singapore, a small city state in Asia, where I live.

The survey also found that old photos, gifts, keepsake items and memorabilia were the most hoarded items at home, followed by unworn clothes, and old paperwork and school notes. 79 per cent of those aged over 40 admitted to holding onto old school assignments. Men aged 55 to 65 find it hardest to let go of their belongings including sporting equipment, photos and broken or old electronics such as TVs, computers and speaker systems.

Two-thirds (64 per cent) have never tried to declutter their homes, citing reasons such as having an emotional connection with their items or not knowing where to store them after. This, despite 85 per cent of respondents saying that their clutter affects family members.

How do you declutter or simplify your life?

Tip 1: Learn the revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing by reading the best-selling guide, The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing.

In the book, Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you simplify and organize with the KonMari Method, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, but the KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, promises to give lasting results.

An example of her technique can be found in this YouTube video where she shows you how to fold a long sleeved t-shirt:

With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international best-seller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.

Get the guide from Amazon.

Have you tried Marie Kondo’s decluttering sensation? Tell us your experiences below.

Look our for Part 2 of “Decluttering Our Lives”