Is your house starting to pile up? Do you like to save and pack away items thinking that it'll be useful one day but you end up never actually using it? Maybe it's time to start fresh and declutter. However many of us may tackle with the issue of first admitting that we have more than we actually need. Then, after acknowledging the issue, taking the steps to get rid of stuff becomes so overwhelming that we end up pushing it off. So what can help us get down to business and start the decluttering process? Here are some tips.
Have you ever looked into your closet and noticed that you have so much clothes, some that you haven't worn since forever. And yet, we can find ourselves still willing to shop for more clothes. One key thing to note is that the more options we have does not necessarily make us more satisfied. In fact, having an abundance of choices can end up making us less happy. We may be unable to make quick decisions or we can easily regret what we didn't choose. When you don't have a lot of options to choose from, it makes it a lot easier to decide. So, for example, instead of owning 20 different workout outfits, downsize to 2-3 and give the rest away.
Do you ever find yourself fighting an ongoing battle? A blissful, fruitful day of decluttering, only to find the mess and chaos creeping back in after a few days. If that's the case for you, maybe you could try adopting this process as a daily habit. How? Set a goal of decluttering for a month. When you stick to the goal with an end date in view, it can help you to pick up the pace gradually to achieve your final mission. With this 30 days daily goal, you don't have to do anything big each day. Rather, it can be as simple as returning an item back to its original place everyday. If you keep this up on a daily basis for at least a month, it may help turn it into a habit.
The stuff we allow to clutter in our home may actually impact our mental state. According to one professional organizer, "Clutter is an external demonstration of our internal struggles." It could mean that we have some unresolved issues or time period in our life. Feeling stressed & not getting enough sleep? Well clutter can lead to negative psychological effects. It might make us feel embarrassed or feel like a failure. However, when our living space is clean and open, it can help promote relaxation and help us to focus better. Also, when we declutter and donate our belongings to those in need, it can also boost our feelings of happiness and self-confidence.
As mentioned at the outskirt, most of us tend to keep items that we never use yet are unwilling to part with. If you find yourself unable to part with certain objects, this method can help you to see how much you don't need it. Try this: Is there a shirt you haven't touched in years? Or an object you think you'll need later but still haven't used? Stick them all in a box and set a date in your calendar twelve months from now. If you haven't opened the box to use that object(s) in a year, then discard the items in the box. Chances are, if you haven't used them within that time period, you don't need it.
Plan a specific reward for yourself for decluttering. Plan a walk, a movie, something yummy to eat, and anything that you enjoy - just don't go shopping for more stuff. In this way, you can look forward to decluttering. Also, think of all the benefits you gained from this process. Decluttering not only tidies up your space, but it also allows you to focus on what really matter to you. When you choose what goes and what stays, it can help you to be more assertive in making decisions. It allows you to hang onto the present rather than the past.
We hope that these decluttering tips can help you better accomplish your goal and attain a better mental health.
