The feelings behind clutter can also be pretty messy.

Dissolving, Naiman says, is all about finding thewhy.

Why can’t you toss these items and why are they so emotionally fraught?

Try dissolving instead of decluttering

Ready to do a deep dive into dissolving?

What Is Dissolving?

“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 wewerebut no longer are.

When we dissolve, we’re finding the realreasons behind our clutter.

How do I Begin the Process of Dissolving?

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

“Addressing this layer affects your body immediately and alleviates the effects of overwhelm.”

Ask yourself these questions:

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.

“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.”

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?

Stick with items that you chose for their aesthetic, in addition to just their practical value.