Resetting with Intention: How I Cleared the Clutter and Made Room for a New Life by Francesca Nardelli

Let’s talk about the power of a reset.

Not the kind you do on your phone when it glitches. I mean the kind that starts in your space and ends in your mind. The kind that actually shifts things.

For me, it didn’t begin with a spiritual awakening or some overly aesthetic Pinterest mood board. It started with one drawer. One that didn’t close. And it kept going from there.

The Turning Point

I wasn’t trying to become a minimalist. I was just exhausted—by the mess, the visual noise, the low-level stress that clutter quietly creates. It was never just about the stuff. It was about how heavy it all felt.

Too many clothes. Too many half-finished notebooks. Too many things I thought I might need “someday.” But someday never came. So I started letting go.

This wasn’t organizing. This was a reset.

The Reset Principle

I’ve always loved the idea behind Marie Kondo, but I didn’t follow it perfectly. Instead, I asked one question over and over: Is this helping me move forward, or is it keeping me stuck?

If it didn’t support who I was becoming, I let it go.

No drama. No second-guessing. Just a straight-up inventory of what was useful, calming, or meaningful—and what wasn’t.

Letting Go of What’s Not Working

Resetting isn’t only physical. It’s also emotional and energetic. The more space I cleared, the more I noticed habits I’d been stuck in that didn’t actually serve me—like holding onto relationships that drained me, saying yes when I meant no, or wasting time on routines that weren’t aligned with my life anymore.

The clutter in my home was a mirror for the clutter in my mind. And when I started cleaning one up, the other followed.

Reset = Space

There’s something really powerful about walking into a room that feels clean, intentional, and calm. It instantly shifts how I show up.

Resetting gave me room to breathe. And when your space is aligned, your thoughts start to follow.

Suddenly, I had more time for things that mattered—not because I was doing less, but because I wasn’t spending energy managing chaos. And that ripple effect changed everything.

It’s Not Just a Feeling—It’s Backed by Science

It’s not in your head. Research from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that clutter raises cortisol levels. Especially for women. The mess actually stresses you out.

I didn’t need a study to tell me that, but it was validating. When I let go of things that were just taking up space, my nervous system calmed down. I felt lighter, clearer, and more able to focus.

That’s what a reset really does—it removes distractions so you can actually move forward.

How I Reset (and How You Can Too)

You don’t need a free weekend or a whole new closet system. I didn’t. I just got real with myself.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Start small. I began with a single drawer. One place. One zone.

2. No maybe pile. If it wasn’t a clear yes, it was a no.

3. I asked myself: “Would future me keep this?” If the answer was no, I let it go.

4. I prioritized function over aesthetic. Clean, calm, and usable.

5. I let it be emotional. Sometimes we hold onto clutter out of fear. And that’s okay. Just notice it, then release it.

   
   

The Bigger Shift

Resetting my space helped me reset my habits. And from there, I built the rest of my lifestyle. That’s how I transitioned to eating plant-based. That’s how I created the Raw30 Challenge. That’s how I committed to routines that feel simple and supportive instead of overwhelming.

Now, I walk into my kitchen and it’s not just clean—it feels like a place that supports the life I want. My mornings feel slower. I know where everything is. There’s less noise.

And when I feel calm in my space, I feel calm in my life.

Written by Francesca Nardelli

For more articles on aligning your life, resetting your space, and building routines that support your version of wellness, visit FrancescaNardelli.com. Whether you’re starting your own RAW30 or just looking for a moment of clarity, the RESET phase is where it all begins.