1.
decluttering; the practice of getting rid of unnecessary possessions
a Japanese concept of organizing and simplifying one's life by discarding unneeded items and avoiding accumulation
引っ越しを機に断捨離した。
I decluttered when I moved.
断捨離して部屋がすっきりした。
After decluttering, my room feels refreshed.
断捨離は物を捨てるだけでなく、心の整理にもつながる。
Decluttering isn't just about throwing things away—it also leads to mental clarity.
FORMATION:
断 (cut off, refuse) + 捨 (discard) + 離 (detach) → refuse, discard, detach
THREE PRINCIPLES:
The term was coined by Hideko Yamashita and is based on yoga philosophy:
- 断: 断つ (to refuse) - stop buying unnecessary things
- 捨: 捨てる (to discard) - throw away clutter
- 離: 離れる (to detach) - become free from attachment to things
VERB FORM:
断捨離する (to declutter)
断捨離を行う (to practice decluttering)
PHILOSOPHY:
断捨離 is more than cleaning—it's a lifestyle philosophy about:
- Living with less
- Mindful consumption
- Mental and physical freedom from possessions
RELATED CONCEPTS:
- ミニマリスト (minimalist)
- 片付け (tidying up)
- 整理整頓 (organizing)