Welcome friends! Thank you for being here. Today we are going to stay focused by decluttering. Yes, we are going to declutter our space first than maybe in another blog we will work on our minds. Spring cleaning season is the perfect time to evaluate the clutter in your life. Think about how decluttering can help free up some physical and mental space. Let’s dive right in and find out how.
Does “Clutter” mean that I own too many things?
Well, maybe. But it turns out, clutter is more than that. “Clutter is a perception of overabundance in somebody’s life that inhibits them or has a negative impact on them in some way, shape, or form,” says Helena Lucia Swanson, PhD Candidate in Community Psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.
Believe it or not, it’s not just physical either. There’s also something called “digital clutter,” which is a form of “disorganized digital belongings”, such as emails, documents, unused software, and even hardware. For example, if you have at least 30 or more tabs open in your phone or on your computer it spikes your anxiety, even if they’re all things you want to read or follow up on.
Clutter—whether physical or digital—can make people feel uncomfortable. When this happens, it might be time to do something about it.
Clutter and mental health connection
While some people might believe that “clutter” can be dismissed as a problem that isn’t serious, research shows that the connection it has to our mental processes is significant. A study published in 2019 in PsyCh Journal stated that our emotions and cognitive processing (i.e., seeing the big picture vs. getting lost in small details) can be affected by orderliness and disorderliness.
Other research indicates similar findings: For example, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology clutter has a negative impact on perceived well-being in one’s home. People with clutter problems have low life satisfaction, more indecisiveness, and are more prone to procrastination.
The difficulty making decisions (such as what to throw out, donate, or keep) can make the clutter cycle harder to break.
Decluttering might seem like an overwhelming task when you have a million other things on your plate and don’t you don’t even know where to begin. But like all things, the best way to tackle any problem is to just get started, have a plan and start small.
Figure out your “why”
You must know your “why” you want to declutter even to get started. Knowing the core ‘why’ helps get you through the tough times.
There are plenty of reasons why someone might want to tackle the clutter in their space. But you have to decide this first in order to get motivated to get rid of your stuff. Just don’t sit around and think too hard about it or you won’t do it.
Start at the beginning
The only place to start is at the beginning. The first step to decluttering is deciding which areas of your home have the most clutter. For me, the method that works the best is to pick one small area to focus on, like a cabinet, closet, or a few drawers. Do these things first and then take a break. You have to start small and celebrate your wins before you tackle the bigger areas of your house.
This could also be a particular surface you want to clear off, for example your desk. When I’m focused on spring cleaning, I like to start with seasonal things that I’m putting away for the winter. But this is also a good time to get rid of some off season or winter things you don’t need. It’s too easy to move clutter around and toss it into a box for nine months, but when it’s time to unpack, you will find yourself overwhelmed all over again.
Take breaks
Burn out is common for people who take on too much. Pacing yourself is the key to getting more done, not getting burned out, and feeling happy and relieved. Reward yourself at every step to build up that positive feedback and motivate yourself to keep going.
Small rewards could be things such as, reading a few pages of a book, going on a walk with a friend or pet, or just telling yourself that you’ve done a good job. Decluttering can be a tiring process, so set realistic goals for yourself and recognize the hard work you’re doing.
I hope this helps you declutter and destress your life. Start small, reward yourself and avoid the burnout. Take breaks along the way and celebrate your wins in a positive way. Once you declutter your home you will find a sense of relief, and you will improve your mental health as well.
Take Care,
Darren
Harmony Shift 