Let us keep it short, simple, and straightforward, shall we? It's always better that way.
What does clutter do?
Clutter has a tendency to overwhelm. When our spaces are organized and free of clutter, we can see the space around us clearly, and that can be calming and even energizing. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by helping us to recognize the physical and emotional boundaries that we often lose sight of when our living space is filled with too much “stuff”. Clutter can contribute to anxiety as it can prevent us from being able to focus on the present moment. Multiple academic studies have shown that constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources, increase cognitive overload, and decrease our working memory, it contributes to anxiety, depression, and stress, and it affects our physical health (Read source). In short, clutter is bad for our brain functioning, our mental health, and overall well-being.
What does decluttering do?
Decluttering can help us to appreciate the things we have and to recognize our individual needs. It gives us an opportunity to categorize our possessions, examine them, appreciate their roles in our lives, and identify what is important to us. It can also help us to create a space that is conducive to and caters to our own individual needs, which can lead to increased feelings of contentment and appreciation for life's small blessings.
Decluttering allows us to create a peaceful, organized environment where we can thrive. This can improve mental health by increasing self-awareness and mindfulness. This improved sense of mental well-being can help us to better identify our own needs and preferences, giving us a greater sense of security and control. Finally, it can help us to gain clarity of our goals and values, which can lead to increased motivation, productivity, and sense of self-worth.
How to declutter:
Decluttering your home and your space can be daunting, but it is possible with the right plan and approach. To start, it’s important to set realistic expectations. You may not be able to declutter your entire home in one day, and that’s okay. Taking small steps and focusing on one area at a time is the best way to approach the task.
The basics of decluttering are to get rid of items you no longer need or use. Ask yourself if you truly need the item and if not, get rid of it. One that works well is to create a "keep" pile, a "donate" pile, and a trash pile. Then go through your items one by one and put them accordingly on the right pile. Take your time. Don’t get distracted or overwhelmed by sentimental items. Instead, focus on the task at hand.
When organizing, it is important to create a system that works for you. Group similar items together and create categories. For example, you can do closet items today, and from these items, you can categorize them according to their uses, i.e., office clothes, workout/gym wear, warm clothes, summer clothes, jeans, tops, etc. Once you are done with this stage, you are halfway there, because this is always the hardest part for me. It's hard to let go of something you have committed to buying, only to find out later on that you didn't actually need it.
Maintaining your decluttered space is the key to success. Set aside time each day or week to put items away, clean up, and reorganize. You can label items to make them easier to find. it also helps to utilize vertical space and add storage containers, if needed. Also, be mindful of what you bring into the space. Don’t fall back into your old hoarding habits. Use your items until you feel they are no longer of value to you before you add more stuff into your space.
Overall, decluttering your home and space is an achievable task. Start by setting realistic goals and focus on one area at a time. Get rid of items you no longer need or no longer serve you. Take a good look at your environment and ask yourself if this is the kind of life you want to live. You will find the answer within you. I hope this article has added value to you today. if you have any questions or suggestions related to this topic, feel free to drop a comment or send us a message.
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