Are you serious about decluttering, you need to start by taking an honest look at yourself and your behaviors. What habits have you fallen into that cause the clutter in the first place? Not only is clutter linked to overall life dissatisfaction, but a disorganized household can also induce a cortisol response, negatively impacting mental and physical health. Are you realistic with your expectations for organization considering your schedule and the demands of life Clutter is often a symptom and a cause of stress and can affect every part of your life. Only after we understand some of your root causing cluttering problems can you begin correcting them. Declutter your life making space in your life for what really matters might be even trickier than decluttering physical things from your life, but it’s worth it.
Decluttering.
Decluttering can actually be a life-transforming process in a multitude of ways. Here are some ways to start decluttering your life. This knowledge may just be the motivation you’ve long needed to start on your own path to minimalism. Decluttering doesn’t mean you are only re-organizing your material items. It can also mean you are simplifying every aspect of your life. Here are some ways you can mentally prepare for a real decluttering journey:
- Adopt some aspects of minimalist living. (Take some advice from an uncommitted minimalist–me–on how to live minimally.)
- Try a digital freeze. Let go of your phone and apps for one full day a week and reconnect with your love of reading, board games or bike rides.
- Turn off the TV or the news and free yourself from that modern constant need to be in the know all the time.
- Make a concerted effort to reduce screen time in general.
- Take some more time for yourself and be comfortable saying “no.” Prioritize what is most important to you, accomplish those goals first and then make time for the rest.
- Practice mindfulness to give yourself the mental space needed to make good decluttering decisions.
Unplug Yourself.
Information isn’t bad, but too much becomes clutter instead of the inspiration, education, or entertainment it’s meant to be. Instead, the constant stream of information just turns into noise. Delete apps from your phone that you only use to fill space and time and give your life room for boredom, curiosity and quiet.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms eat up your time. Online time is often underestimated. It may surprise you how much time you spend on your devices. An hour spent with friends or at the mall is more productive than scrolling through Facebook. Unplug yourself. Devote time each day to turning down the volume on electronic devices in order to be present.
Once you limit the amount of information and streamline when and where it’s coming from, schedule blocks of information-free time. A few hours a day, and a full day a week to unplug gives your mind a chance to recover and reset.