How do I keep my dignity while asking for clarity?

If you want to declutter your life, start by identifying what – and whom – you truly need in your personal space. Remove the excess, both materially and emotionally. Prioritize meaningful connections over cluttered distractions.

Many of us feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things, people, and unspoken obligations in our lives. In today’s world, where situationships and loosely defined relationships are the norm, it gets increasingly easy to collect emotional baggage without even realizing it. One moment you’re talking to three people at once on dating apps, the next you’re trying to decipher a week-old text while your apartment fills up with stuff you barely use. Decluttering isn’t just about organizing your wardrobe, it’s about making intentional choices about what you allow into every corner of your world.

Start small, but think big. Look around your living space: what do you regularly use or cherish? Anything that doesn’t add value – whether it’s clothes you never wear or mementos from situationships past – probably needs to go. Create space for things and people that support your present and future, not your cluttered past. The physical act of letting go makes the emotional process easier, too.

Next, audit your emotional landscape. With situationships, one of the biggest sources of mental clutter is uncertainty. Mixed signals, unclear intentions, and half-hearted communication drain your energy and keep your brain whirring long after you’ve put your phone down. Get honest about the connections in your life. Are you investing time in people who only ever give you crumbs? Are you confused about where you stand? If so, it’s time to have some courageous conversations – or maybe, it’s time to walk away.

Emotional decluttering often requires boundaries. Protect your personal time and reserve it for people and activities that bring you joy or peace. If you sense your heart is crowded with unresolved feelings from situationships that lack clarity, give yourself permission to pause and reflect. Meditation, journaling, or simply sitting quietly with your own thoughts can illuminate what’s really weighing you down.

Remember, digital clutter counts, too. Clear out old chats that lead nowhere, unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate, and remove dating apps from your phone if they’re more of a stressor than a source of fun. Curate your digital world so that it reflects and supports the life you want right now.

Decluttering is as much about making space for new beginnings as it is about saying goodbye to what doesn’t serve you. It’s liberating, healthy, and a crucial step in creating genuine connections in the age of situationships.

If you find yourself struggling to navigate relationships with unclear boundaries, or you need help breaking free from digital or emotional clutter, consider trying notBf. It’s an AI companion specifically designed for young women dealing with the complexities of situationships. notBf offers hyper-personalized support so you can gain the clarity you deserve without sacrificing your peace of mind.