A couple of years ago, I wanted to declutter my life and home because I was preparing to move.
A friend introduced me to Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I loved her method and used it to clear out my clothing, papers, and even some personal items. The result? Liberation! To this day, I enjoy the simplicity and order of my wardrobe—it’s a pleasure to find what I need, and it makes me feel lighter.
However, the method fell short for me when it came to books. You see, I love books. I grew up in a family of avid readers, and to this day, I’m a voracious one myself. So the idea of whittling my library down to 10-15 books, as Kondo suggested, was simply impossible.
That experience made me realize something important: decluttering isn’t about following someone else’s rules—it’s about making space for what truly matters to you.
Decluttering Your Learning
We all know the power of decluttering in our homes or workspaces—removing what no longer serves us to make room for what does. But have you ever thought about applying that same principle to how you learn English?
Today, information is everywhere. We are constantly bombarded with endless options—podcasts, apps, books, courses, social media content, and more. This abundance of choice is supposed to help us, but more often than not, it leads to overwhelm, distraction, and frustration.
It’s no surprise that many professionals I work with feel stuck in their English learning. They are doing too much but progressing too little.
Just like a cluttered desk makes it harder to focus, a cluttered approach to learning can dilute your efforts. Instead of seeing real improvement, you might find yourself spinning your wheels but not moving forward.
In fact, this is exactly what I help people do in the LEARN blueprint (framework): think about all the different ways you can incorporate English into your learning and then choose just a few—intentionally and effectively.
So, how can you declutter your learning and focus on what truly makes a difference?
1. Let Go of Outdated or Ineffective Methods
If you’ve been using a certain method for months (or even years) without seeing much improvement, it may be time to re-evaluate.
For example, many learners feel safe doing passive activities like listening to podcasts or watching videos. These are great for exposure, but if you’re not also practicing actively, you won’t develop your speaking or writing skills.
Declutter Your Learning: Instead of passively consuming English, add a small active step—pause to summarize what you heard, write down key points, or say something out loud in response.
2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity
More is not always better. Many professionals fall into the trap of jumping from one resource to another—trying multiple apps, watching random YouTube videos, and saving countless articles without actually practicing deeply.
It’s the same as having a bookshelf full of unread books. More content does not equal more learning.
Beware of the Dopamine Trap
Many apps and social media platforms are designed to keep you engaged, not necessarily to help you improve. Gamification, streaks, and rewards trigger small dopamine hits—making you feel accomplished without necessarily making progress.
If you find yourself rushing through app lessons just to maintain a streak or unlock the next level, ask yourself: Are you truly learning, or just chasing the next badge?
Declutter Your Learning: Instead of consuming five different things, choose one quality resource that truly challenges you and stick with it for a month.
If you use an app—don’t just tap through exercises to “win points.” Instead:
- After each lesson, write down 2-3 phrases and use them in a sentence
- Try saying one of the new phrases in a real or imaginary conversation
- Record yourself using the new vocabulary in a short voice note
If you watch YouTube videos—choose a short video and repeat it 3-5 times:
- First, with English subtitles
- Then, with your native language subtitles (if available)
- Next, pause and repeat after the speaker
- Then, watch with no subtitles
- Finally, write a 1-2 sentence summary and practice saying it aloud
This method combines listening, reading, speaking, and writing, making it an incredibly effective way to learn.
By shifting your focus from passive consumption to active engagement, you’ll stop wasting time on surface-level learning and start building real skills.
3. Make Space for Progress
Just like clearing out your workspace can make you feel more productive, clearing out ineffective learning habits can create space for real progress.
If you always tell yourself, “I don’t have time to practice English,” consider this:
- Can you replace 10 minutes of social media scrolling with 10 minutes of focused English practice? What about listening to a 5-minute video twice instead?
- Can you turn your commute time into active learning by summarizing what you hear instead of just listening? Try explaining it to yourself out loud.
- Can you swap a long, overwhelming study session for short, daily, high-impact practice?
Declutter Your Learning: Identify one habit that isn’t serving you and replace it with something that actively builds your skills.
Decluttering your English learning isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what truly matters. By letting go of what doesn’t help you, focusing on quality over quantity, and making space for real progress, you’ll feel more in control of your learning and see real results.
What’s one learning habit you could declutter this week?
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Ready to declutter?
Pick up your FREE LEARN Blueprint – Your Guide to Mastering English, to help you simplify and focus your English practice.
Don’t do everything. Do what works.