There’s nothing quite like watching grandkids open Christmas gifts. The excitement. The squeals. The wrapping paper flying through the air like festive confetti.
Within minutes, the living room transforms into what can only be described as a joyful holiday tornado. Bows under the couch, toy pieces in mysterious places, and at least one box that absolutely should not have been that difficult to open.
And the best part? They can hardly wait to rip open one gift before they’re already reaching for the next one, while still trying to play with the first one, while stepping over the third one, while asking what’s inside the fourth one, and so on!
It’s chaos. Messy. Loud. Completely unorganized. And honestly, it’s wonderful! Because in the middle of the mess, you can see pure joy happening in real time.
At one point, we finally paused. Wrapping paper got gathered. Boxes got tossed. Toys found some kind of temporary “home base.” And as the clutter disappeared, something interesting happened. The chaos turned into calm. The overwhelm turned into focus. And the joy didn’t disappear, it actually deepened.
They could finally see what they had. They could finally enjoy what was already theirs.
And as I sat there watching them play content, happy, fully in the moment of happiness, I realized something, watching them open those gifts was my gift. Not the
wrapping. Not the stuff. But the moment and the meaning.
Sometimes life looks a lot like that living room. We pile on activities. We stack commitments. We gather responsibilities.
We keep adding more goals, more tools, more ideas, more “maybe I’ll use this someday.” And before long, we’re surrounded by mental wrapping paper wondering why everything feels overwhelming. It isn’t that we don’t have enough. It’s that we can’t see or appreciate what we already have.
Decluttering doesn’t just create order. It creates gratitude. It creates clarity. It creates space for joy to breathe. Sometimes the most meaningful progress isn’t adding more. It’s clearing what doesn’t matter so what does can finally stand out.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
In business, especially online business, it’s easy to do what my grandkids did with gifts. Rip open the next idea before you even use the last one. Sign up for one more tool before mastering the one you’ve got. Collect strategies like wrapping paper until you can’t find the actual gift.
More platforms. More apps. More tactics. More noise. Before long, you’re buried in digital clutter of subscriptions, half-started projects, “saved for later” links, and courses you might get to someday.
But just like that living room, when you clear the excess, you see your priorities. When you simplify, you actually make progress. When you focus on what you already have, momentum returns.
Success doesn’t come from stacking more. It comes from using what’s already in your hands with intention. That’s why I’m such a believer in building with clarity, coaching, community, and the right tools, not dozens of them, just what truly supports your direction.
It’s also why I often recommend places like Internet Profits Academy, not because you need more, but because sometimes you need less noise and more alignment in one place. This is a place without the clutter and a place where everything seems to fit in helping my business move forward.
Declutter the mental wrapping paper and the path gets a whole lot clearer. Decluttering isn’t just a concept. It’s a habit.
Here are a few simple, real-world steps that have helped me (and many others) turn chaos into calm.
- Do a “What Do I Already Have?” inventory.
- Before buying, joining, or adding anything new, ask “What tools am I already paying for?”
- What projects did I start but never finished?
- Pick one clear objective for the next 30–60 days (launch one project, finish one course, build one system, Improve one skill, etc.).
- Inventory subscriptions, cancel, or park what doesn’t serve you.
Most people don’t lack resources they lack awareness of the ones they already have. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes from simply saying, “Before I add something else, I’m going to use what’s already here.” Just like a child who enjoys the toy more once the clutter is cleared, we make better progress when our energy isn’t scattered.
Consider cleaning up unused subscriptions, free trials that became “mystery charges”, and tools you wanted to love but never use. You don’t have to throw everything away. Sometimes it’s simply admitting this isn’t right for this time for this “item” and that’s okay.
Just like cleaning up wrapping paper, you’re not throwing away the joy, you’re making room for it. Decluttering isn’t about slowing down, it’s about moving forward with intention, less busyness, more purpose, fewer distractions and more progress.
In life and in business the real question isn’t, “How much more do I need?” The better question is, “What great things am I missing because they’re buried under clutter?” Maybe the next breakthrough isn’t in the next thing you add, but in finally appreciating and organizing what you already have.
When we clear the clutter, we don’t lose anything meaningful, we simply make room for what matters most. And that, my friend, is where the joy lives.
I wonder if my grandkids need any help playing with their new toys? Well, I’d better get over to their house and find out! 😉
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” — Albert Einstein
“The sculptor produces the beautiful by cutting away the superfluous.” — Michelangelo
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
My garage isn’t messy. It’s just creatively archived.
I made a list of everything I needed to throw away. Step one: The list.
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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Beautifully said. I gained clarity over the holiday, too. The fact is, I’m not making $ and I’m running out of $$. So I had to 1) get a job 2) Become a certified bookkeeper. #2 excites me the most, because I can do it entirely from my wonderful home. More on all of this, later.
Hi Kate – Thank you so much for sharing this. That kind of clarity is not always easy to come to, especially when it is tied to real life realities like money and hard decisions. I admire your courage in stepping back, reassessing, and choosing a path that supports both stability and purpose. Getting a job was a responsible move and pursuing certification as a bookkeeper sounds like a powerful step forward, especially since it gives you the opportunity to work from home and build something that aligns with the life you want. That is exactly the kind of intentional clarity I was reflecting on in this post. Not adding more for the sake of more but choosing what truly serves your direction. I am cheering you on and I am excited to see what this next chapter opens up for you.
Hi Ernie,
Love the analogy and I definitely need to “declutter” the apps I’m not using and keep a few of those dollars in my pocket.
You bring up a great point of how, over time, we tend to keep stuff that isn’t either useful or needed anymore. New year means a new beginning and a cleanup!
Have fun putting all the toys together (for those that need it) and don’t forget to recycle! Cheers!
Hi Marc – Thank you so much for your kind words. I am really glad the analogy connected with you. You are exactly right. Over time we hang on to things that once served a purpose but no longer do, especially when it comes to apps, tools, and subscriptions. Decluttering them is not just about saving money, it is about creating mental space and getting back to what truly matters. A new year really is a great time for a reset and a fresh beginning. I appreciate the reminder about recycling too. And yes, I will be over here assembling toys and smiling while I do it. Thanks again for being part of the conversation. Cheers, my friend.
Hi Ernie,
I absolutely loved the image of the ‘joyful holiday tornado’! It’s such a perfect analogy for how our businesses can start to feel when we’re chasing every new tool and idea. Your point that ‘decluttering doesn’t just create order, it creates space for joy to breathe’ is a powerful reminder for the new year. Taking that ‘What do I already have?’ inventory is such a practical first step to moving from overwhelm back into momentum. Thanks for the inspiration to simplify!
Hi Denny – Thank you so much for this. I am really glad that image resonated with you. That joyful holiday tornado feeling shows up in business more often than we realize, especially when we keep chasing the next tool or idea without taking time to appreciate what is already in front of us. You summed it up beautifully. Decluttering really does create space for joy, focus, and momentum to return. Taking that “What do I already have” inventory has helped me many times and I am glad it connected with you as well. Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate it and I wish you clarity and progress as you head into the new year.
Oh wow, I can totally relate, Ernie! My house after Christmas looks so chaotic that it drives me crazy! 😂 I just breathe and let it go… I love how you tied this into business, because I’ve definitely been guilty of jumping to the next tool or idea before really using what I already have. I loved that part about decluttering, creating space for joy and focus. I have been trying to create some New Year’s resolutions, as we all do this time of year. I’m trying to declutter my life so I can focus on what is important. Just like Kate, I am running out of money too and will be going back to work very soon, so I need to get organized with things for sure! It worries me that I will miss time with my kids and working on my business when I do go back, and I don’t want that. Thanks for this, it’s such a good reminder to slow down and enjoy what’s already here!
Hi Meredith – Thank you so much for sharing this. I really appreciate your honesty. I can absolutely relate to that post-Christmas whirlwind feeling at home, and you are right, sometimes the best thing we can do is take a breath and let it be what it is for a moment. I am glad the connection to business resonated with you, especially around slowing down, using what we already have, and creating space for joy and focus.
Thank you as well for sharing what you are going through. Going back to work is a big transition, especially when you care so deeply about your kids and your business. It makes sense to feel worried about time and balance. Give yourself grace in this season. Progress does not disappear just because life shifts. Sometimes clarity grows in seasons where we have to adjust and reorganize.
I am cheering you on as you move into this next chapter. Stay focused on what matters most, take things one step at a time, and remember that simplifying is not stepping backward, it is making room for what is meaningful. Please know you will continue to have support from me and your community. I am grateful you are here and grateful you shared your heart.