Fly Lady: 27 Things You Need to Let Go
The "27 Things" decluttering exercise helps reduce stress and boost focus by removing items that no longer serve you. Research shows visual clutter drains mental energy, while letting go of physical objects trains the brain to release emotional baggage. A simple 15-20 minute practice can transform your space and mindset.
Why Decluttering Changes Your Life
The Fly Lady method teaches us that order in the home begins with freeing up space. When there are too many things around us, our brain spends energy processing them—research from Princeton University has shown that visual clutter reduces the ability to concentrate and increases stress levels.
The "27 Things" exercise is a classic decluttering tool that helps you take the first step without perfectionism and fear. You don't need to sort through your entire house in one day. Simply find 27 items that no longer serve you and let them go. It takes only 15-20 minutes, but you'll feel the results instantly.
How the Exercise Works
Grab a trash bag or box and walk through your home. Your task is to collect exactly 27 items that can be thrown away, donated, or recycled. Don't overthink each item—trust your intuition.
The LadyFly app will help you track such tasks and remind you about regular decluttering. When you see your progress, motivation grows on its own.
What You Can Let Go of Right Now
If you don't know where to start, here are tips from the experience of thousands of women following the Fly Lady method:
- Clothes you haven't worn in over a year
- Broken pens, pencils without lead
- Old magazines and newspapers
- Expired medications and cosmetics
- Shopping bags you're keeping "just in case"
- Dishes with chips and cracks
- Toys your children have outgrown
- Manuals for appliances you no longer own
- Socks without a match
- Souvenirs that don't bring you joy
Remember: every item you keep "just in case" takes away your energy and space for what truly matters.
The Scientific Perspective on Freeing Up Space
Neuroscientists from the University of California discovered that physical decluttering activates the same brain regions as emotional release. When we let go of unnecessary items, we literally train our ability to let go of anxieties and old patterns.
The Fly Lady method is built on this very principle: small physical actions create big internal changes. You're not just cleaning your home—you're making room for a new, lighter life.
Turn Decluttering into a Habit
Don't stop at one exercise. Repeat "27 Things" once a month or whenever you feel your home is starting to weigh on you again. LadyFly has reminders and trackers that will help make decluttering a regular practice, not a one-time feat.
Each time you let go of another batch of items, you make your home brighter and yourself freer. Start today, and within a week you'll notice how your mood and energy levels have changed.
