Clutter steals from all of us. It takes our time, our space, our productivity, our money, and our joy.
We can stop this thievery by removing clutter. I know it sounds odd but when we get rid of clutter we are creating spaces for MORE. More…time, money, space, happiness, the list could just keep going.
Our environment affects more than just our eyes. It has a huge influence on our mental state. Clutter is a visual reminder of the things that have been left undone. The to-do’s that weren’t completed. After a while, those add up and they start to wear on us. Even if we think we can ignore clutter it is working behind the scenes to fill up our mental space. Instead of being able to focus on your new to-do’s they just all start to pile up and create stress and anxiety.
“All of this physical, mental and emotional clutter can contribute to the inability to think clearly, which can contribute to stress and low energy.”
-Kristin Fuller, MD – verywellmind.com
So instead of letting clutter steal from you SAVE yourself.
I know that getting rid of things can be hard. I am not talking about embracing the whole minimalist life. Although, I definitely see the benefits of this lifestyle offer some further ideas in my blog Two Steps To Thinking Like a Minimalist. But why not take steps to live your best life? In my journey as an organizer, I have found the people that I have worked with in the end are not concerned about what they got rid of but are excited about what they have gained.
“Picture your dream home. I bet it is not full of clutter.”
– Joshua Becker
Some of the benefits of decluttering make sense. I will never tire of hearing “I have been looking for that forever” and “Oh, that’s where that is.” Finding lost things is always satisfying. What may not be as obvious is the parts of OURSELVES that we get to find along the way. Finding the space to do the things we love again. One of my favorite comments by a client was, “I am finally playing the violin again. I haven’t done that in a long time.” Goosebumps!
Are you ready to hear all the things that you can SAVE by decluttering and simplifying?
ONE
Save time because you are not looking for things. Keeping track of stuff is part knowing where your things are AND having less stuff to keep track of. Did you know that Americans spend 2.5 days a year looking for lost items? Imagine getting an extra two and a half days a year. (Foreshadow alert – think of the stress you would avoid by not having to look for lost things.) Think of what you will do with all the time saved not looking for lost things.
There is also all the time saved by not having to clean as much. Cleaning and wrangling stuff takes time. With less stuff, your cleaning time is less. (Side note: having less stuff will automatically make your space look cleaner and more organized.) I admit my house is not always perfect (I know, shocking!) But when I have to get it together it takes very little to get it show-worthy.
“67% of people survey believe they could save up to 30 minutes a day if they were more organized.”
-Alpha Phi Quarterly study
TWO
Save money because you are not spending money buying things to contain all the things that you have. It is so easy and fun to buy containers for all the things. I get it. But buying more stuff to hold your stuff just adds to the stuff. I am a fan of creating contained spaces so that everything has a place. Once you have edited your belongings you can be selective about the types of containers you want to bring into your new paired-down space.
Here is the tough part of this for me. You can save EVEN MORE if you choose to stop buying so much stuff. All of this downsizing and decluttering is wasted if we just go out and buy things to fill the space again. So we have to make a conscious effort to stop buying more things. Here are some questions that I have found helpful when I am tempted by something new and shiny. Do I really need it? This question usually ends the questioning, but if you need a couple more checkpoints. Where will I put it? This is important because you have now created a space for everything. Will this replace something or take up new space? (That is not one of the questions it is just a sub question) Does this add anything delightful to my daily life? This one usually helps me sort out whether I am looking for that dopamine dump or if I truly would treasure this new shiny object. Once your space is organized you prioritize the things you buy. Now that you know how good it feels to have an organized space why fill it up with clutter?
A side benefit to spending less is now you can focus on purchasing quality items. I find now instead of having 20 – $20 shirts I kinda like and may last this season I can buy 10 – $40 shirts that I love and are of better quality. When traveling I am not tempted to buy the touristy trinkets, but maybe look to the local artist or textiles.
THREE
Save your sanity because it is easier to think. Living in clutter is hard on your mind. It takes more effort for your mind to process in a space of chaos. It is also easier to keep track of things when you have fewer things to keep track of (I did give a spoiler alert). When we clear the physical clutter our minds are able to think clearer, be more creative, and take time to relax and reboot.
Mental clarity is a good thing and you will find it leaks into other areas of your life. I find when my house is organized I enjoy my time away from home much more. I am able to relax and enjoy my time because I don’t have a to-do list nagging at me. Taking off spontaneous trips is less stressful because I am not worried about all of the things that I need to get done. And It feels amazing to come home to a clean and clutter-free house at the end of a vacation.
Having an organized home creates an overall sense of accomplishment. And what does feeling like you’ve done a big thing do? Well, I will tell you. You feel good about yourself (and you should). You feel more confident. I have a little bit of social anxiety – and I have noticed that since I have fully committed to living a paired downed more intentional life I find I have less stress in social environments. I am sure there is a deep psychological reason for this, but I am just speaking from an “I know it to be so” place.
“A simplified life means that what has to get done will get done. And when we pare down life to its simplest, most beautifully basic parts, we’re left with room to enjoy each other, to rest, and to truly savor life with all our hearts, minds, and spirits.”
—Emily Ley, “A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living“
FOUR
Save your heart because you have been intentional and are letting go. I am not saying it will be easy. Sometimes it brings up feelings that you get to feel. Sometimes it gets overwhelming. Sometimes your body gets tired and your muscles hurt. But this is when you remember what your goal is. Remember we can do hard things.
Clearing away clutter makes room for what you love to shine. I just had a client tell me how happy she was that she could now enjoy a silver serving set from Italy that a very dear friend had gifted her. It brought her so much happiness that she could enjoy it every day because it wasn’t hidden away anymore. You will have more gratitude because you have unburied the things you treasure and can enjoy more of what you love.
The more you remove the more content you are with the things that you have and the more intentional you become about filling your space. You may just have to trust me on this one, but I see it over and over again.
FIVE
Save someone else. A few years ago my sisters and I spent a good deal of time sorting through my mom’s belongings after she passed away. I have another friend that flew home to help tie up her mother’s house and items after she also passed. In the past year, I have helped many clients sort through the possessions of a loved one. In each scenario, someone else was sorting another owner’s treasures. It is probably valid to assume someone other than yourself will be going through everything you have ever saved. By choosing to sort through and minimalize what you have now you create less stress for yourself AND you help lessen the burden of your loved one or close friends.
It is time to stop giving into the clutter and start to SAVE. I just listed five ways decluttering can ADD to your life. Decluttering is not just about getting rid of things. It is more about choosing the things you value most and focusing on them. It is about having more time to spend with those you love doing the things you love. It is about having the money to give to charity and spend on quality things and experiences. It is about having more positive mental space to fill with creating and making memories.
I know it can be overwhelming and I can help wherever you are on this journey. Sign up for a free consultation you can also sign up to receive my newsletter.