Tips for Decluttering & Happiness from Bestselling Author, Gretchen Rubin

I recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing the one and only Gretchen Rubin on the Paring Down podcast, and I’m still buzzing from everything she shared about happiness habits, simple habits for happiness, and knowing yourself better. And, of course, effective decluttering tips. Gretchen is a brilliant thinker who’s been exploring human nature and happiness for years, becoming a 7x New York Times bestselling author, including projects like The Happiness Project and Secrets of Adulthood.

Here are some of my favorite insights from our conversation that I think anyone interested in living a happier, more intentional life will love.

Is Wanting to Be Happier Selfish? Understanding Happiness and Self-Care

One of the most powerful things Gretchen said was addressing the guilt some people feel about wanting more happiness when their life “looks good” on paper. She pushed back hard on the idea that pursuing personal happiness is selfish, especially in a world with suffering.

The research shows happier people are actually more outward-focused: they care about global issues, donate more, help others, have healthier habits, and make better leaders and team members. Gretchen’s motto here is gold: “Be selfish if only for selfless reasons.” When you’re happier, you’re better equipped to serve the world.

How to Change Your Habits by Changing Your Surroundings

Another gem from Gretchen about simple habits for happiness: “It’s easier to change your surroundings and your schedule than to change yourself.” 

Instead of relying on willpower or motivation, the secret is to set up your environment so that good habits become effortless. For example, Gretchen shared that her goal this year is to watercolor every day, so instead of assuming she’ll have the motivation to get it done each day, she created a designated “station” that makes it easier for her to sit down and paint consistently.

As Gretchen said, don’t expect motivation to motivate you—make your desired actions easier through your environment.

Another example might be “I want to be more patient with my kids when we’re leaving the house,” but instead of assuming you can force yourself to stay calm, it’s easier to declutter the shoes in the entryway and keep a key ring by the door for your keys. When you set up your surroundings for success, then you will feel calmer and have less to be patient about in the first place.

Decluttering Sparks Joy and Creates Calm

I loved Gretchen’s take on decluttering for mental clarity, especially from her book Outer Order, Inner Calm. Clearing clutter gave her such a jolt of happiness and energy that she uses it as a way to cheer herself up when she was feeling down.

She shared some simple but powerful decluttering tips like:

• Keep an empty shelf. It symbolizes room to grow and looks visually calming.

• AND keep a junk drawer. This gives you a physical boundary for messiness — a small, contained place where “controlled clutter” lives without overwhelming the whole home.

• Gretchen also recommends using clear apothecary jars to store small colorful toys or bits and bobs. It’s decorative, easy to clean up, and offers a fun “discovery” experience for kids. I can’t wait to incorporate this tip in my own home, rather than this small trinkets becoming clutter at the bottom of toy bins.

The Role of Self-Knowledge in Happiness and Decluttering

Finally, one of the most important lessons Gretchen shared was about self-knowledge for happiness: defining happiness as bringing your life into alignment with your own values, temperament, strengths, and weaknesses. It’s about really understanding yourself and creating a life that reflects who you truly are. This self-awareness is crucial when deciding what to keep or let go of — not just stuff, but life choices too.

Why This Matters to You

If you want to live a more intentional, joyful life—whether it’s through happiness habits, decluttering tips, or just leaning into personal growth—Gretchen Rubin’s insights in this interview are pure gold. I’m so grateful to have had this conversation on the Paring Down podcast and can’t wait for you to hear it.

Listen to the full interview HERE and subscribe to the Paring Down podcast for fresh episodes on decluttering, simplifying, and living with purpose.