Saturday Soundness ~ De-Clutter to De-Stress

Since Spring is here and many of us are engaging in some Spring cleaning, I thought I would write about how de-cluttering can be extremely de-stressing. As you go through rooms, closets, drawers, workspaces, etc., removing the things you don't need, organizing, and cleaning out items is an excellent way to improve your stress level.

For many, the thought of de-cluttering can bring about stress. This job can appear to be overwhelming, especially if you have a big job ahead of you. Therefore, I have created a de-cluttering plan that is doable with as little stress as possible.

🪴 MAKE A PLAN: Go room-by-room and determine what your most important goals are for that space. Take a clipboard or writing pad to make your notes for each room.

🪴PRIORITIZE: Once you have a good idea of the jobs ahead of you, prioritize those rooms in order of most importance to you. This is vital because it is very easy to become distracted and develop de-clutter ADHD. What I mean by this is, as you begin to de-clutter and you start sorting through items, it is easy to find yourself in another room and start a project in there. Keep to your list of priorities.

🪴 ORGANIZE: Determine how you wish to organize. THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY,  & KEEP. Have trash bags and containers available as you begin sorting. As difficult as it can be, stick to your plan. If you come across something you no longer need or use, determine if it is better to throw it away or give it away. 

🪴 STICK TO YOUR PLAN: Do not begin another project or room until you FINISH a room. Finish what you start is always the best practice. And, this keeps your entire house from becoming a complete disaster.

🪴 SET DEADLINES: This is super important. As you begin a de-clutter project, set a realistic timeline and end date. For most, sticking to an end goal encourages them to stick to that deadline.

🪴 TAKE BREAKS: With larger jobs, you might need to take some breaks. This is really important to do to finish the job. Go outside, take a walk, call a friend, etc. Set your timer to end the break so you can stay on track with the job at hand.

🪴 CREATE A SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT: Since you will be focused on a particular space, creating an environment that soothes you is important. Listen to your favorite music or podcast. Have a beloved movie playing in the background. Make sure the temperature in the room is comfortable. Dress comfortably. Create a comfortable space to sort, such as pillows or blankets to sit on.

🪴 FINISH THE JOB: This is the most important step! Finishing means the job has been done completely. Not, half-a$$ed! Do it right. Then, throw out the trash, take the give-aways to the proper places (get them out of your house), and put the organized items in their place. 

🪴 BRING IN A FRIEND: If this type of job is overwhelming or if you have physical limitations, bringing in someone to help you could be just the thing you need. Make it fun, use the time to visit, laugh, and to catch up.

Having a home or office that is clutter-free truly creates less stress in our lives. A de-cluttered space offers a calm, serene atmosphere that calms your nervous system. De-cluttering is an excellent step to clean out the things that are no longer serving you and creating chaos.

Have fun with your de-cluttering projects! You can do it! Take before & after pictures to remind you of a job well-done!