What Does it Mean to Live “Radically Intentional”? Tips for Decluttering and Intentional Living

Jan 15

Minimalist? Nope…Radically Intentional

Think back to the last time you went shopping, especially in a store with those tempting checkout lines, *cough TJMaxx,* stocked with knickknacks, candy, and pop. Did you leave with something you hadn’t planned to buy? Maybe g
um, candy, or a claw hair clip? No judgement here—I’ve done it too!

**When we don’t deliberately manage what comes into (goes out of) our homes, clutter starts to pile up—thing we don’t use, want, or even like.**

You might be thinking, ‘Okay, Aubrianne, does this mean I should never shop again?’ Of course not! It’s unrealistic to avoid shopping entirely or never buy anything new. But with a little intentionality, you can shift your habits to ensure that what you bring home adds joy or serves a real purpose, instead of becoming just another dust collector.

It’s about quality over quantity—not filling life with more, but filling it with what matters most.

Evaluate Your 'Why'

Saying ‘no’ becomes much easier when you’ve already decided what’s worth saying ‘yes’ to.

For example, I’ve decided to only say yes to kitchen tools that are high-quality and truly useful. So, when I saw a strawberry slicer at the North Logan Walmart, I said no because:

It’s plastic and doesn’t seem durable.
A knife works just as well, so I don’t actually need it.

See how this works? I challenge you to think of a category you often fall victim to purchasing at the store. Determine the types of things you’ll say yes to & leave the rest at Target.

Declutter and Simplify

Setting boundaries helps you stop the flow of unintentional purchases, but chances are, you’ve already accumulated plenty of these items in your home. That’s why decluttering is essential—letting go of anything that isn’t serving you physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Focus on what you truly love and want to keep, rather than fixating on what to let go of. By this I mean, pick out your very favorite items first, evaluate what you love about them, and let go of the things that don’t have those qualities.

Now comes the harder step: being realistic and honest with yourself. How many *fill in the blank* might you possibly need at once? Even if you have a spill in the kitchen, I highly doubt you need that entire drawer of towels and rags.

Create Systems That Support Your Values

Living radically intentional doesn’t mean making a one-time decision to ban clutter and expecting it to stick forever. You have to consistently remind yourself what you will say "yes” to, and what will be left at the store.

If creating a system helps—like sticking to a shopping list or avoiding the sales rack—go for it! I promise it will pay dividends. Your home will be more peaceful, your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief, and you will be happier.

By being radically intentional, you can take control of your home, your shopping habits, and even your peace of mind. Small changes add up—and I’m here to help you get started