In recent years, decluttering and minimalism have become lifestyles passionately embraced by younger generations. People hope that by reducing their possessions and emptying their spaces, they can gain a sense of lightness and control over their lives. On social media, minimalist bedrooms, blank white spaces, and neutral-toned tableware have come to symbolize what “a happy modern life” should look like.

Yet as this “decluttering movement” turns into a new source of anxiety, many have begun to wonder: do we really need to discard so much to live well?

1. When Minimalism Becomes Anxiety: The Paradox of Decluttering

The original intention of decluttering was to help people remove the unnecessary and simplify their lives. But in practice, many have discovered that it brings not liberation, but a new kind of pressure.

Some spend hours calculating the carbon footprint of a single tube of toothpaste, only to buy a “stress-relief plush toy” on the way home out of anxiety. Others proudly claim to live with only 100 possessions while continually purchasing “minimalist” storage boxes.

As sociologist Jean Baudrillard pointed out in The Consumer Society, minimalism has become a symbolic form of consumption — the aesthetic of simplicity itself is now a luxury brand. A $200 matte ceramic bowl and a limited-edition designer handbag follow the same logic of display: Look, my life is more sophisticated.

Thus, what was meant to lead us to freedom has become another burden. People fall into minimalist anxiety and even experience decluttering regret — the pang of missing sentimental items impulsively thrown away: old letters, childhood photos, mementos that once held meaning.

A study from the University of Cambridge found that people forced into extreme decluttering showed cortisol levels 28% higher than average. When discarding childhood items, brain regions linked to physical pain were activated. In other words, “letting go” does not always lighten the mind — it can, paradoxically, hurt.

A home should be a place of comfort, not a stage for perfect order. What we need is not to throw away more, but to keep better.

2. From “Decluttering” to “Categorical Keeping”: A Gentler, More Human Approach

What truly lightens life is not owning less, but keeping what truly matters.

“Categorical Keeping” is built on this idea — it focuses not on removal, but on selection; not on abandoning, but on consciously preserving.

Instead of asking, “Should I throw this away?” ask:

“Does this still hold value or nourish me emotionally or functionally?”

The essence of Categorical Keeping is turning organization into an act of value selection rather than simple clearing.

It helps us rebuild a healthy relationship with our belongings — shifting from an object-centered to a human-centered mindset, allowing our spaces to hold not only neatness, but warmth and memory.

3. The Core of Categorical Keeping: What You Keep Matters More Than What You Toss

(1) Dual Dimensions: Function and Emotion

Every item can be viewed through two lenses:

- Functional value: things with practical use, closely tied to daily life — cookware, hangers, stationery.

- Emotional value: things that carry memories or sentiments — old photos, keepsakes, souvenirs.

Function sustains life; emotion nourishes the soul. Excessive decluttering often focuses only on functionality, ignoring emotional meaning. Yet those “useless” trinkets often serve as anchors of memory — connecting us to who we once were.

(2) Subcategories of Function: Tools vs. Supplies

Within functional items, further distinctions can be made:

- Tools: reusable items that help accomplish tasks (e.g., mop, vacuum cleaner, cookware).

- Supplies: consumables that get used up (e.g., detergent, laundry powder, spices).

Understanding this helps manage inventory and avoid over-purchasing.

(3) Emotional Items: Collection vs. Display

Emotional items also have subcategories:

- Collection: treasured keepsakes, letters, books — stored safely in boxes or cabinets.

- Display: objects that bring joy or inspiration — placed in visible spots to give your home vitality.

In this way, we both preserve memories and integrate them into daily life.

(4) Supplies: In Use vs. In Reserve

Many homes are filled with unopened “spares” — a subtle sign of anxiety.

Effective keeping distinguishes between:

- In-use items: placed within easy reach.

- Reserves: limited to a reasonable number, stored in higher or secondary spaces.

Setting boundaries helps your space breathe again.

4. The Golden Rules of Organization: Zoning, Categorizing, Storing, Updating

A functional organizing system relies on structure.

Here are four guiding principles for practicing Categorical Keeping:

1. Zoning: Define clear spatial boundaries.

Group items by use — cookware, condiments, and utensils in the kitchen; books, toys, and decor in the living room.

Create “fixed locations” so items return to their place after use — saving time and maintaining order.

2. Categorizing: Add finer layers of organization.

Clothes by season and type; toys by age or function; office items by files, stationery, and devices.

This not only eases retrieval but reveals areas of overaccumulation, curbing impulse buying.

3. Storing: Orderly, visible, and logical.

Use the right storage tools — drawer dividers, clear boxes, shelving, labels.

Storage is not about hiding, but about structured display: keep frequently used items within reach, heavier ones below, seldom-used ones higher up.

Multi-functional furniture (beds with drawers, storage sofas, shelving with dividers) maximizes space.

4. Updating: Keep the system alive.

Set a routine — monthly or seasonal “micro-declutters” to:

- Remove expired or broken items;

- Reassess long-unused things;

- Rotate seasonal storage (seal off-season clothes).

Establish an item refresh cycle:

- If unused for 6+ months, consider donating or discarding;

- Keep only the higher-quality or frequently used duplicates;

- Move seasonal items to storage to free daily space.

A living system stays balanced — free from clutter’s slow invasion.

5. The Psychology of Organizing: Building Human-Centered Spaces

Categorical Keeping is not merely about tidiness — it’s about mindset.

When we stop measuring life by how little we own, and start asking why we keep what we do, our homes become more authentic reflections of ourselves.

That old lamp you’ve had for years, the postcard from your parents, your child’s first drawing — these are what make a house feel alive. They are emotional anchors that stabilize us amid chaos.

Psychological studies show that retaining emotionally significant items can reduce stress and anxiety. What may appear as “useless clutter” often holds personal identity and emotional continuity.

So rather than seeking emptiness, aim for intentional openness.

True “space” is not about stripping everything away — it’s about leaving room for life and emotion to breathe.

6. Conclusion: Let Organizing Be a Dialogue with Life

Decluttering teaches us how to let go, but Categorical Keeping teaches us how to understand.

A truly comfortable home is not one that is the most minimalist, but one that reflects our real, lived stories.

Learn to keep consciously — what is useful, what is nourishing, what is beautiful.

Let tidying up transform from a task of disposal into a dialogue with the self.

When the home stops being a stage for minimal perfection and becomes a haven for imperfection,

we rediscover both spatial freedom and the gentle warmth of everyday life.

“Keeping just enough — that’s the smartest way to live.”