I was a particularly messy child. They say that creative people tend to be messy. Then again, they also say that successful people tend to be organized and neat.
When I was eight years old I had a nightmare that there was a fire in my house, and I couldn’t get to the door to escape because I had so many toys covering the floor. I was trapped by clutter. I woke up that morning and shocked my parents. I had done what my mother previously had to bribe me to do with copious amounts of chocolate: I cleaned my room. Yeah. The previously completely disorganized and messy little girl I was woke up and decided no more. From that day on, and to this very day, I became a very organized perfectionist. All my toys were lined up perfectly on their shelves (I had long since figured out which ones were friends and placed them facing each other, so they could play while I was at school.) No more toys strewn about the room.
Everything has its place; every detail thought through. That’s me.
It sounds tiring — I know. But they say there are advantages to this way of living. A study by UCLA discovered a link between how families, particularly mothers, talk about clutter in their homes and their cortisol levels. The resulting book, “Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century,” carefully studied 32 families and investigated how they live, how they use their time, what they purchase and what areas of their home life cause stress. The book points to a trend that clutter can cause depression and overwhelm those who interact with it on a daily basis. Added to the stress is the emotional bond that connects people to their clutter and the inability to break sentimental attachments.
Decluttering and re-decorating for peace of mind can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need is a game plan and a slow and steady pace. The benefits can lead to a clearer mind, more self-esteem and even weight loss from letting go of the clutter. Here are three simple ways to declutter:
Leverage What You Already Have
It’s tempting to rush out and buy new storage bins and containers to start de-cluttering. However, you should use what you already have around the house and then assess what you need to buy. Start organizing one room at a time and resist the urge to pull apart the rest of the house until the first room is completely done. This way you’ll have a better sense of accomplishment and a better idea of what types of tools and resources you need to tackle the rest of your home.
Make piles of what you want to donate, throw away and store for later. Bag up what’s leaving the house and arrange to have it removed as quickly as possible. Remember items like electronics, furniture, and artwork can be donated or sold on eBay or Craigslist to make some extra money and pay for those storage bins you might need later.
Get Rid of Stress
Take a moment to think about stress triggers around your house. If you’re not sleeping well, a cluttered bedroom full of electronics and paperwork may be the culprit. Organize your closet, remove unnecessary items like your computer and TV and focus on making your bedroom a sanctuary of rest. Then, incorporate fresh flowers, a hanging crystal to catch the sunlight and soft window shades to let in natural light.
Other clutter culprits might include the kitchen. It’s easy to let mail stack up, food to sit out and dishes to pile up. But, a kitchen is often the gathering spot of the home for friends and family. Treat it with respect by keeping it clean, putting away all gadgets and dishes and clearing away unnecessary knickknacks. Instead, place a bowl of fresh lemons on the counter as a centerpiece, open the windows and consider doing some home decor DIY projects, like repainting your kitchen with warm, soothing colors to create the gathering space you deserve.
Check out Home Decor Ideas We Love and some fun home decor DIY Projects on Pinterest, and re-pin ideas to start your own idea board.
Create Sacred Spaces
Breathe life into your favorite rooms by infusing them with natural elements, such as a twig wreath, seashell collection or freshly-picked wildflowers. Treat your home like a sanctuary that deserves to be honored and adorned with only items you truly love. Make a photo corner with snapshots of friends and family to give yourself a boost during the day. Turn a reading nook into a peaceful refuge by adding an oversized, comfortable chair facing the window that lets in soft light.
Check out our Rustic Home Decor and Products Pinterest boards if you’re into the natural look.
The goal is to decorate your home and declutter with intention. Skip over the latest gadgets and trinkets, and instead, embrace what truly matters. Only buy what adds to your home’s efficiency or tranquility, and leave everything else behind.
When a room has no clutter, it feels less stressful. I make it a habit to clean the clutter on my desk at least 2-3x a week, and for the entire house, about 1-2x a week. Cleaning can really be therapeutic so I don’t really mind doing it. I also think of it as a workout since I’d be sweating a lot just by mopping the floors and throwing out unwanted items. What I need to work on though is cleaning my wardrobe. I always end up storing clothes that no longer fit me because I always believe that I’d lose weight in the future.
I usually sell my old clothes online, but not all. The ones that still look good or brand new are the ones I usually sell. I don’t sell anything that has holes in it because… WHY WOULD I???
I love decluttering a lot but most of the time it forces me to get rid of things that I still don’t want to get rid of, especially for makeup items.
I ENJOY ORGANIZING THINGS. IT’S KIND OF THERAPEUTIC AND FUN TO GO THROUGH ALL MY STUFF. IT FEELS GOOD TO GET RID OF THINGS I NO LONGER NEED AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW STUFF. ALSO, THERE IS NO BETTER FEELING THAN SEEING THE CLEAN ROOM.
i have a “chair” in my room that has my “can wear again” clothes for just in case occasions. however, over time it grows and become “cannot wear again/another laundry basket”. and my laundry basket will only fill with my undies, so i guess it works out fine.
I’m the type of girl that hates clutter but has a pile of random items on a corner of the room with no way to determine what is what with just the look of an eye. but still, i know what’s in there and how to get it without disturbing the natural ecosystem that may have been created inside that pile or shenanigans. however, my room is perfectly tidy except for that space. trust me. , please.
I want to donate my old clothes. Any suggestion where I can donate them?
Find the closest orphanage to your house. You can search google for their phone number. It’s very timely for Christmas season 🙂 Also if you’re a Catholic, you can ask your parish priest if they can also include your clothes to be given as donations. Here in my place, our parish priest is asking for clothes for donations for their gift giving.
Wow! Can I earn money from my old stuff? I used to throw my old stuff before because I am no good at selling online. I guess it’s time to try online selling, and start earning more bucks.
There’s tons of gold in the garbage is what my mother always says. You just have to be diligent enough to clean your old stuff, post it online on sale and boom, INSTANT MONEY! Goodluck on your business!
Cleanliness is important. It’s not just about how it will affect your brain, but your health as well. A pile of clutter can hold unhealthy elements that can harm your health. Stay healthy, stay clean.
My sister has a messy room, and my mom always scolds at her. Haha, I love seeing them fighting because of her room. Love you, sis!