Do you declutter? Do you keep your area and your surroundings tidy throughout the day? Do you allocate a specific schedule daily or weekly to tidy up and declutter your space? Or do you find it hard to commit to a routine to the point that you are forced to take the task on as a major project once every few months (or years!), often because it has caused you, or is actively causing you, so much stress to be around so much stuff and clutter in your own living spaces? (That was a mouthful) Sometimes you feel like you can't clean up the whole room but at least you try. And then there are days that you can barely get out of bed, just because. Well, guess what, it happens. So don't beat yourself up. You don't need to force yourself, either. You can work up the habit of regularly tidying up when you understand why you have to and when you decide for yourself that you actually want to. In your own time.
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Why is it important to declutter our homes and spaces?
Decluttering our homes and spaces plays a significant part in keeping our minds and bodies healthy. When our living and work spaces are filled with clutter as they accumulate over time, it can be overwhelming and distracting (source). It makes it difficult for us to focus on important tasks and it can be stressful to try to manage them all - the clutter and the tasks - all at once at the same time. iykyk.
In my case, when my space isn't tidy and organized the way that I would like it to be, I feel like my mind, my senses, my entire consciousness get overwhelmed and my poor brain is unable to know where to start. I'm sure there is an English word for that. Well, let's just say it drives me nuts and I don't even notice the fact until it affects other aspects of my life where I eventually end up releasing the build-up of my frustration, like snapping at someone for the tiniest bit of reason. Or worse. You know, like eating their snacks and not replacing them and pretending like I did nothing.
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Decluttering is an important part of self-care. Notice how a tidy space creates an environment that invokes a sense of calm which allows us to relax and think clearly. When we are surrounded by organized space, it is easier to focus on what's important, on what we should be doing right now, on what should be next on our plate, and on our goals and dreams. In other words, decluttering helps us to be more mindful of how we use our spaces and our time, and it can help us to be creative and more productive. Also, keeping your space neat and tidy reduces the stress of trying to find what you need the moment you need it - since you know where things are (most of the time at least) and all the important stuff is within easy access. Less clutter helps to make your home and other spaces brighter, roomier, and more livable.
Additionally, our spaces have a big impact on our physical health. Messy spaces are perfect breeding grounds for germs, dust, and pests. Our home can also be home to plenty of disease-causing bacteria if we are not careful (source). A tidy and organized space is much easier to keep clean and sanitized. On the other hand, a disorganized and uncurated collection of boxes, files, wires, and a myriad of stuff lying around can harbor undetermined amounts of questionable microorganisms that you (or your family members especially kids) would rather not be touching, inhaling, or ingesting.
Finally, decluttering is an act of self-love. It shows that we care about our environment and our well-being, as well as that of our loved ones. It is a way to take control of our lives and create a space with an ambiance that we can be proud of. A space where we can peacefully live, thrive, and be our better selves. Decluttering helps us to make better use of our time and resources, and it can help us achieve a healthier and more balanced life.
What is the easiest and most effective/sustainable approach to decluttering when keeping organized is a challenge
Tidying up is an important habit that can be practiced by anyone from all ages and all walks of life. The easiest and most effective approach to decluttering is to start small. This is especially helpful for those who have trouble keeping their areas organized for any reason. If you are trying to teach your child how to tidy their bedroom or play space all by themselves, this approach could be helpful, too (source). Starting small means you begin by setting aside a few minutes to organize one small area. This could be a desk drawer, a closet shelf, a corner of a room, or anything else that needs to be sorted. As you work on this area, take the time to make decisions about what items to keep, donate, or discard.
Additionally, it is equally important to create a system for managing your items. You are free to make up what system you would like it to be. This could include assigning a spot for specific things or investing in storage containers to help keep items organized and out of sight. Labeling storage boxes also works because it keeps you from rummaging through the wrong boxes and ending up with yet another pile of clutter to organize. When you can read the label what exactly is inside those boxes, i.e. blue and white Christmas baubles, or dive gear, or - I don't know, whatever you stow away in boxes to be used later, I suppose - it saves you a lot of precious time, energy, and patience.
Set aside time each week to go through your items and remove any unnecessary items. Tidying up frequently throughout the month keeps clutter from accumulating. This will help you maintain your decluttered space much longer and make it easier to find what you need when you need it. As opposed to cleaning, which is to be done as frequently as possible, tidying up can be scheduled at longer intervals. Also, cleaning up after yourself and encouraging others to do so (meaning our significant others and/or housemates) reduces the amount of daily clutter around the house and minimizes the need for you to do it more often. In fact, once a month would be sufficient if all hands are on deck.
Finally, don’t be afraid to enlist help. When clutter has taken over your space (and maybe your life), it can be a daunting task to tackle. Ask a friend or family member to help you sort through your items and provide you with moral support coz you're gonna need it. If you have become somewhat of a hoarder, it can be painful to let go of things even though those items have long served their purpose in your life. Having someone to help keep you accountable and motivated can be a great way to ensure you stick to a routine.
With simple baby steps, you can get your home easily and sustainably neat and organized - even possibly develop the habit in the long run, essentially making decluttering a routine task. You will also be able to share the practice of tidying up with your kids, other family members, and friends -- which I personally think is one of the best gifts we can share with our loved ones. Nobody wants a slob, not even if it's ourselves. I tried not to say it but I did anyway.
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