Your home, especially your room, can reflect your mind, feelings, and emotions. Having clutter around you and your home can affect you in many different ways. The two most prominent are becoming stressed and anxious. Other reasons why clutter affects you so much include the following:
Decreases concentration and can cause you not to think clearly;
Causes a lack of focus and distracts you from other tasks and priorities that need your attention.
Loss of energy just thinking about how much clutter you have and how you have not dealt with it yet.
Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because you don’t know how or where to begin.
Burdensome, resulting in a more stressful environment than a relaxed one. It can also make you feel like you still have work to do.
Embarrassed or guilty feelings when people come to visit you.
Decluttering can therefore have a positive effect on you, both emotionally and mentally. Whether it is decluttering a small drawer or a whole room, it can significantly help you feel better while creating more order in your life. I know when I declutter my bedroom, I feel a sense of relief especially when I am letting go of things that are no longer serving me, thus creating a place for new things to enter my life.
Steps to overcome clutter:
1. Ask yourself where to begin
Starting to declutter can be very stressful because a lot of the time you don't know where to start. I suggest asking yourself where you feel the most guided towards; you can also close your eyes, ask yourself where to start and whatever your first answer is, is usually the place to begin.
2. Start small
Take each step at a time. It can seem daunting at times and something you would rather avoid, but it does help to do a little each day or schedule a short time at the weekend -this will help you become calmer and less anxious.
3. Make a list
You can either make a list beforehand of all you need to do and then check it off as you go along or make a list after everything you have done is completed. You can also decide to do both, it's up to you - whatever makes more sense. Making a list can be an essential thing to do as it makes you feel more productive, organized, and accomplished.
4. Get organized
Make different piles for your belongings. If you need to, you can start with four separate piles: Keep, Maybe, Trash and Donate. However, what I found works best for me is having three piles: Keep, Donate, and Trash. For myself, I find this way to benefit me the most as it saves time rather than deliberating about the ‘Maybe’ pile, as you can become confused which to choose.
5. How to decide what to keep and what to let go of
You can start by asking the following:
1. Do I use or still wear it?
2. Does the item have any significant meaning to me?
3. Do I really want it?
The last one is the most important, and it is necessary to ask!
4. Does this item give me joy or make me happy?
Once you have asked all the questions and have answered ‘yes’ to at least 3 of them, then keep the item.
Disclaimer: these are just suggestive questions and ideas to help, it is ultimately up to you what you want to do with the item, do what pleases you. Whether it is to keep, donate, or trash.
6. Let go of the "donate" pile as soon as you can
If you don't, it starts creating a sense of baggage that you are holding on to and not letting go of, which can also affect you mentally and emotionally. It can feel more of a weight on your shoulders than anything else, so get organized and let go. Remember you are creating more space for all the other things you want in your life. How can you do that if you are still holding on to the old?
7. Create a schedule
Decide how you want to schedule decluttering your home even after you have finished because it can start becoming cluttered again after time goes by - decide how often you wish to do it, either every day, every week or every month. Whatever makes you feel better – just do it!
8. Embrace your positive emotions, thoughts, and feelings
Once you start decluttering, identify all the positive emotions, thoughts, and feelings, you are having and embrace them. It is also important to notice what works best for you as well as what parts felt the best for you. Once you’re done ask yourself, do you feel accomplished, lighter, or calmer in any way?
9. Ask for help from others if you need it.
Having a buddy to help can be extremely useful if you are too overwhelmed by organizing and decluttering your home yourself. Even if you can't find someone to help, there are always businesses or companies who provide such services. It is also essential to do your research if you don't know where to begin, read more blogs posts or books on the topic of decluttering.
10. Reward or toast yourself for a job well done.
The reward can be anything you want it to be, but it has to feel like it is a reward. You could even go out and celebrate with someone if you would prefer that, it's entirely up to you. A prize or a gift to yourself will help make you want to continue decluttering as well as making you feel great about yourself and your accomplishments. Set yourself a reasonable target and once completed - celebrate!
The whole idea may seem to be a challenge, and it would be easier to avoid and procrastinate, but you need to decide whether you want and deserve to start feeling better by decluttering. There are so many benefits to decluttering as it can reduce stress and anxiety. It increases concentration, focus, creativity, and imagination in addition to more productivity, order, and organization in your life. Decluttering helps you think more clearly and effectively. It creates more space for new things to enter your life and new inventive ideas to inspire you, in addition to helping you take back control of your life and move you forward. Why not start today and make a difference in your life and how you are feeling. If you want to be able to manifest more things you want in your life, start with decluttering today!
Question of the day: Do you choose to live a life of struggle or ease? Comment below!
If you enjoyed this post and want more help about different areas of your life and ways to you heal - subscribe now to the mailing list! You will be able to get notifications on any new material coming out and updates that you may want to stay tuned in to.
You can also follow me on:
You will be able to find new content on both every day to brighten up your day with inspiration, love, support, and a boost to keeping you going.
If you have any questions or want me to talk about a specific topic, write it in the comments below and I may feature it in one of the blog posts next week. You can also email me with any questions, and details are below.
Please like, comment and share.
PS: I am genuinely grateful for every single one of you reading this and am sending unconditional love your way!
Comments