Do you ever look around and feel overwhelmed by your belongings? If you said yes, you are probably surrounded by clutter, an overabundance of possessions that create chaos, impede your movement, or reduce efficiency.
Initially, clutter may appear innocuous; we might justify it as piles of items we’ll eventually address. Over time, clutter can slowly impact our mental and emotional well-being, disrupting the balance we seek in our pursuit of productivity and wellness.
When we speak of movement hindrance, it extends beyond our physical ability to walk freely and enjoy our spaces; it also pertains to cognitive functioning, impacting our ability to focus and process information efficiently.
Identifying Your Clutter
Usually, clutter accumulates because we attach various meanings to our possessions, providing us with reasons to keep them. Navigating the fog of memories and sentimental origins during decluttering can be challenging. Fortunately, VeryWellMind has curated a list of questions you can ask yourself to self-diagnose and determine whether you require thorough decluttering. Take a look at the following questions:
- Do you own anything you never use or no longer need, like clothes that don’t fit or old electronic devices?
- Do you have a “junk drawer” of things you think you’ll need but never use? e
- Do you buy new items to replace lost ones in your house?
- Do you lack access to specific spaces in your home (i.e., you can’t open the door to your basement or park in your garage)?
- Are you afraid to have houseguests over because of the messy state of your home?
If you agree with any of the questions above, you probably have some clutter in your home, but don’t worry; we’ll discuss a few approaches to decluttering.
How to Declutter
Before you begin tackling your clutter, it is essential to remember that it may not be easy. The idea of getting rid of a ton of items usually goes smoothly when it is theoretical, but once you are sitting down and weighing out the sentimental value of a pile of t-shirts, it can be much harder to have helpful discernment. The first piece of advice would be to give yourself grace and be patient; depending on your clutter level, it may not be solved within one day.
Along with being patient, try to be realistic. Setting aside enough time to go through your belongings is necessary. You may dedicate an entire weekend to minimizing your clutter or find more peace in doing half-hour increments over an extended period. Find the time recipe that works best for you.
According to Psychology Today, when decluttering, starting small is best. Give yourself manageable goals, such as tackling one pile of clothes or a messy drawer. When you complete that task, allow yourself to feel proud and approach a new task during your next decluttering session. Another helpful tip is to ask for help. Although bringing someone into your messy space may be nerve-wracking, don’t hesitate to lean on your friends, family, or professionals to help. Sometimes, an outsider’s perspective can help you to detach from possessions that no longer serve you.
If you are struggling with parting with specific mementos, embrace the beauty of technology and snap a photo. At times, we have an abundance of items that we love but cannot afford to store. Taking a picture of the items allows you to keep them while freeing up some physical space. It can also be helpful to decide what you will do with your unwanted items. You may consider donating your items to people needing them or giving them to a thrift store. If you are interested, look up shelters or donation centers in your area to find a place that aligns with your values. Decluttering is about more than freeing up physical space; it also allows you to help others.
As we know, decluttering is a process, and some may say it is a skill that can be sharpened. Just as you may crack open a cookbook to strengthen your knowledge of a baking recipe, consider learning about decluttering.
There is so much media on decluttering regarding different organization methods, maintaining an organized space, and even shopping and purchasing with excellent and thorough intent. Just as decorating your house is a unique and personal experience, decluttering and the emotions attached to it are similar. Whether it be a book, podcast, article, or YouTube video, spend some time to find the method and approach that resonates with you the most.
One approach is the three piles method, which the New York Times mentioned. Based on the area you are decluttering, create three piles: a keep pile, a donate pile, and a discard pile. When you analyze your items, go with your gut, the initial assessment and response. For instance, if you pick up a pair of jeans and immediately think, “These are nice, but I’ll never wear them again,” toss those into the donate pile so someone else can enjoy them. Focusing on that initial thought can take you very far when deciding on the fate of your items.
Yes, Clutter Can Disrupt Your Wellness
If you are still a little wary of the importance of decluttering your space, let’s explore clutter’s impact on our wellness. Yes, it is true. Clutter impacts our mental health more than we may notice. As reported by VeryWellMind, some ways that clutter can disrupt our lives include:
- Increased stress levels.
- Difficulty focusing.
- Procrastination.
- Difficulty with relationships regarding shared space.
- Lower quality of life.
When you are in your home, you should be able to relax and be in a place of comfort, but unfortunately, clutter can manipulate that experience. According to a review by Stanford University, a study of 32 families found a link between high cortisol, the stress hormone, levels of women with a high density of household objects.
Clutter can create chaos when you are subconsciously or consciously unsettled in your home. It can disrupt your entire approach to life. If your kitchen is always messy, you may opt to order out instead of embracing healthier options that can be cooked at home. Family members sharing the same space may experience tension due to sensitivities toward disorder. Procrastination may happen as you aren’t excited to work on a project at a messy desk. Over time, clutter can lessen your quality of life as it attacks different facets of your wellness and weakens your focus as you may lose your sense of purpose. Being overstimulated by your space can significantly impact your health and productivity as your mind struggles to absorb the presence of clutter and the objectives of your day-to-day life.
Clearing your clutter allows you to regain mental clarity and stay on track with your goals.
Enlist Professional Help If You Need It
We’ve mentioned reaching out for help from a professional who is skilled in organizing, but it is also okay to seek psychological help regarding clutter. If clearing your home of clutter is extremely difficult and taxing on your mental and emotional well-being and your interpersonal relationships, consider the possibility of seeking help from a mental health professional. There is nothing wrong with needing someone with mental health expertise to guide you through those feelings, as your clutter may be a sign of something deeper that needs healing. A mental health professional can help you identify the severity of what you are experiencing and equip you with healthy coping mechanisms to navigate the emotions you feel regarding decluttering.
