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It can be a massive challenge to let go of clutter, and some actually have meaning. Disregarding sentimental items, there are usually tons of things that can lower your quality of life. Clutter is dangerous as too much stuff can be a tripping hazard, a source of fire fuel, and attracts more dust and pollutants into the home. However, from beginning small within a single space, to creating a decluttering routine, here are some handy suggestions to start the process.
Understand Emotional Attachment
It’s easy to assume that people accumulate things due to rampant consumerism. Of course, that can be a factor, but there is often a deeper meaning behind acquiring a lot of stuff, clutter, and hoarding. There could be sentimental reasons to hold on to something or a strong emotional attachment. Then there could be a genuine mental condition. Local junk removal services can work with you as you begin the process of assessing and removing your excess items.
Let Go of Clutter in a Space
The National Association of Professional Organizers claims that people in a disorganized home lose around 1 hour per day in wasted time. Beginning small and moving forward is a powerful way to start the process of decluttering, with many benefits you can use throughout the process:
- Setting small goals for decluttering teaches you how to make decisions without stress.
- There is a strong sense of accomplishment that encourages you to keep working.
- The immediate and tangible results you can see make the effort feel worth your time.
Use a Sorting System
For decluttering, there is a powerful system you can use known as the “Four Box” method. While this is simple, it has been proven to be pretty effective. While sorting your belongings, place them in a bag or box that is labelled as “Keep”, “Donate”, “Trash”, and “Relocate”. Going through each item, think about where it is best placed. This helps you avoid the “keep for later” way of thinking that adds clutter and stops you from making progress when decluttering.
Ask Yourself Why You Have It
Clutter can have a powerful attachment for many people, and this makes it harder to let go of things. However, there is a simple question you can ask that can break that attachment by allowing you to really understand the possession. When sorting your items, just ask, “Why do I have this?”. If there is no real explanation, then it is probably clutter and can be removed from the home without you missing it. Of course, also ask the classic, “Does it spark joy?”!
Digitally Let Go of Clutter
An intriguing study by the University of California into office workers finds that they are interrupted every 3 minutes and 5 seconds, and it can take around 23 minutes to return to the original task. Taking control of your digital space is just as critical as decluttering rooms.
Organize computer files
Is a messy Windows or macOS desktop a reflection of an untidy life? Whether it is or not, keeping things organized can make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Remove email junk
Email folders can get out of hand when not managed well. Every day, check your email, delete anything you don’t need, clear out the junk folder, and unsubscribe to useless email lists.
Letting go of clutter is a journey and digital devices can be overlooked. A messy computer,for example, can indicate a messy life. However, like life,you have a great deal of control over your digital devices. With regular checks and maintenance, you can liberate your digital space, too.
Tidy up social media feeds
One of the ways smart people are managing their health is to tame social media. Some feeds can cause stress and anxiety, especially with negative news, so unfollow certain accounts.
One In, One Out
Unlike Keir Starmer’s immigration policy, this one actually works for helping declutter your home! Decluttering and freeing up your house again is a mammoth task when there is a lot to deal with. So why would you go back after making so much progress? The “One In, One Out” rule helps keep things limited and maintains a tidy and healthy space. Before buying an item, think about what you would need to remove to accommodate it and follow through.
Find Support and Help
Clutter can get you down, and decluttering takes an emotional toll. So much so that hoarding is now recognized as a genuine mental health condition. There is no shame in wanting and asking for help when you need it. Knowing there is a problem is an excellent first step towards helping yourself. Any friends and family members will be all too happy to help you deal with the physically and emotionally taxing task of organizing a cluttered, unsafe, and unhealthy home.
Let Go of Clutter with a Routine
An article from the European Journal of Social Psychology claims that it takes around 66 days for a new behavior to become a habit. This is critical when decluttering because you can train yourself to keep on top of your immediate space so clutter doesn’t become too overwhelming:
- Set aside around 15 minutes per day to clean a specific area on each weekday.
- Choose a day and use it to sweep the home and remove out-of-place items.
- Consciously check each space of the home for clutter and donate unused items.
Embrace the “Less is More” Philosophy
Okay, so you have decided to declutter your home and are making progress. That’s great. However, you should also understand that you don’t have to be a minimalist. While there is some freedom in embracing a less-is-more philosophy, you should also feel comfortable in your home. However, limiting what you place in it frees you up in many ways. For example, there is much less housework, such as dusting, when you have less stuff arranged on your shelves.
Summary
Understanding the emotional attachment of your items will help you let go of clutter in a safe and meaningful way. However, not all clutter is physical, and digital clutter, such as a disorganized computer, can add to the problems. A less-is-more approach is a huge help.
