The need for a decluttered home is about more than just liking it when things look tidy. There are studies which show that too much mess and not enough clear spaces can infringe on our physical health as well as mentally. Looking around a room that is crowded, it’s easy to start to feel anxious, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what that anxiety is about. And even those of us who do housework every day can find ourselves wondering why things never quite look right.
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There are other reasons that clutter and disorganisation are problematic. How many times do you find yourself looking around your house for an item, even saying out loud “I saw it! I just saw it the other day, why can’t I find it now I need it?”. Having a decluttered home isn’t just about having somewhere to put everything – it’s about where you put things and how you think about the whole process. And sometimes, we box ourselves into a corner with the best of intentions.
By decluttering your home, you’re not just tidying up; you’re investing in your mental and physical well-being. Embrace the simplicity, enjoy the space, and let your home be a sanctuary.
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Storage: Everything in its place, or “out of sight, out of mind”?
One of the key elements of every social media decluttering hashtag is the importance of storage. An entire industry has grown up around pretty canvas boxes and ottomans that double as storage containers. But you may find that your storage is part of the problem; bookcases that are overflowing with books and other things, ottomans that sit in the middle of a room, and things that just get shoved into storage spaces, necessitating a full-scale search when you actually need them. It may sound extreme, but creating a spreadsheet that identifies every storage item in your home, where it is, and a list of what is in it, can ensure that your storage is optimised and not just an afterthought.
Overwhelm: The Importance of Minimalism
Space isn’t something that should be achieved for a few days twice a year. It is something that you will hopefully learn to maintain. However, this is difficult and only made tougher the more things you have to remember. It’s good to have a system for maintaining space, but if you are creating storage space for things you don’t really need or use, you’re just relocating the problem. It can be beneficial to hire a skip and get ruthless, disposing of things you were storing away “just in case”. You will always need space more than you may ever need a pedestal fan with a broken blade.
Photo by Minh Pham
Normality: Enjoy your living space
It is so easy to get drawn into the vicious circle of tidying, then cluttering, then tidying and so on. We have a tendency to look at open space and feel compelled to fill it. This should be avoided. When you have cleared space in your decluttered home, this isn’t a green light to buy more things or move more stuff around. The key is to enjoy the space. We don’t live enough with clear space around us, and that’s not good for any of us. Learn to appreciate the simplicity and the joy of always knowing where everything is, and before long it becomes second nature.
Ready to transform your living space? Start small, declutter mindfully, and experience the transformative power of a tidy home. Your journey to a more peaceful and organized life begins today.
