Decluttering Will Change Your Life!
Decluttering is a buzzword that has taken the world of home organization by storm, and for good reason. This simple yet effective process of removing unnecessary items from your home has numerous benefits that go beyond just creating a visually pleasing space. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most compelling benefits of decluttering, and why it’s a step you should consider taking today.
In 2016, colleagues at the University of New Mexico conducted a study on how connected we are to our homes and the effects clutter has on our well being. They found that, “when [clutter] becomes excessive, it can threaten to physically and psychologically entrap a person in dysfunctional home environments which contribute to personal distress and feelings of displacement and alienation.” You can read more from that study here.
Less Stress
Like stated in the above study, our homes are felt as an extension of our own body. Have you ever sat down at the end of the day ready to relax, only to feel the pull of things that need to be put away or laundry that needs to be done? It is hard to truly kick back when you know you have tasks waiting for you. When your home is cluttered, it can feel like there’s a never-ending to-do list. Decluttering helps to break this cycle, giving you a sense of control over your environment. This can lead to reduced stress and anxiety, helping you feel more relaxed and at ease.
Clutter can also elicit feelings of guilt- guilt over money spent, guilt over things wasted, guilt over gifts that have gone unused, etc. Moral of the story: by clearing the clutter in your home you are also clearing the stress and guilt of all that excess
Increased Productivity, Focus, and Sleep
A cluttered environment is often associated with stress, anxiety and a lack of focus. When you declutter, you’re removing the physical distractions that are stealing your attention, freeing you up to be more productive and focused. Your mind can relax and function optimally, allowing you to complete tasks more efficiently and effectively.
Decluttering can also help you sleep better by creating a peaceful and calming environment. When your bedroom is cluttered, it can be difficult to relax, leading to restless nights. Decluttering removes physical distractions and helps create a space that is conducive to restful sleep.
Save time and money
When you have a junk drawer piled full of stuff, it is difficult to know exactly what you have or where it is located. You waste time day to day searching through the unnecessary in order to find the necessary. Along those same lines, if your closet is stuffed to the brim, it is easy to forget what you have or difficult to find the things you know you have. You then go out and spend money on pieces of clothing that you probably don’t need. A good friend of mine discovered this recently when she did a major declutter of her closet. She found a dress that she completely forgot she had, and received so many compliments when she wore it out! save you time and money!
You also save yourself cleaning time. It’s simple: less stuff on the counters and floors= easier and quick cleaning. When your counters aren't cluttered with piles or a bunch of appliances, you don't have to move things in order to wipe that surface down. When cleaning a room becomes a less daunting task, it happens more frequently and, therefore, becomes easier and easier.
Picture this: You can invite people over with the freedom of only having to do a quick tidy and light a candle!
You actually eat healthier!
An Australian-U.S. study conducted by Lenny Vartarian et al. (2017) showed that people will actually eat more cookies and snacks if the environment in which they’re offered a choice of foods is chaotic, and they’re led to feel stressed.
When the experimental kitchen in which participants were tested was disorganized and messy, and they were put in a low self-control mindset, students in the Cornell University lab ate twice as many cookies as those in a standard, non-chaotic kitchen. In other words, you’ll reach more for the sweets in a cluttered setting when you’re feeling out of control.
Improved Mental Health
Decluttering is not just a physical process, it’s a mental one as well. By removing items that no longer serve you, you’re freeing yourself from the emotional baggage they carry. This can lead to increased feelings of happiness, calm, and peace. The act of decluttering can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, which in turn can have a positive impact on your mental well-being.
The most frequent phrase I hear from clients and followers who have decluttered, whether it is a major overhaul or just a quick clearing, is that they feel a major relief and much lighter! The mental weight of having a long to do list is gone. Adding all the aforementioned benefits of less stress, more time, more money, healthier habits, and easier cleaning equals an overall improved sense of well being. So let’s work together to get your home decluttered so you can have better sleep, better relaxation, more mental clarity, and more space for creativity.
In conclusion, decluttering is a simple yet powerful process that can bring numerous benefits to your life. By removing the physical and emotional clutter from your home, you’re able to create a space that is more organized, functional, and peaceful. So why wait? Let's meet and get started today, and you can experience the many benefits for yourself!
Sources:
Roster, C. A., Ferrari, J. R., & Jurkat, M. P. (2016). The dark side of home: Assessing possession ‘clutter’ on subjective well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 4632-41. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2016.03.003
Vartanian, L. R., Kernan, K. M., & Wansink, B. (2017). Clutter, chaos, and overconsumption: The role of mind-set in stressful and chaotic food environments. Environment and Behavior, 49(2), 215-223. doi:10.1177/0013916516628178