Last weeks blog was on decluttering your mind. This week’s blog will focus on how to declutter your home. If you declutter your home it will also help to declutter your mind. If we live in chaos, it is hard to keep it from invading our headspace. This leads to a constant state of stress.
This is certainly not to say that your house has to be spotless, but if you are losing things on a regular basis or can’t seem to relax or unwind because of the shape of your house, then it is problematic. It can also be a constant reminder of all that needs to be done. Some people get so overwhelmed with this that they don’t do anything as they don’t know where to start.
If you do not declutter your home it can cause problems in relationships if one person is organized and the other is messy. Here are some signs that clutter is getting in the way of your peace and happiness.
Signs you need to declutter your home
You can’t find things
All of us lose things at times. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been able to find his or her phone or keys at some point. However, if you have clutter all over your home, it is much more difficult to find something. It is much easier to spot a phone or keys on a counter if there are very few other things on it. If there is too much clutter, it will just blend in.
Perhaps you even need to buy things again because you can’t find them. Then one day if you do clean up the clutter, you find these items.
Time management
Having too much clutter in your home can also impact you ability to show up on time. If you are losing your keys etc. and have to spend time looking for them, then you might be late.
It can also harm your work productivity if you work from home. You may spend excess time rummaging through piles or drawers to find what you need.
Causes distraction
If your house is a mess, it is much easier to get distracted. It is so easy for something else to divert your attention.
If this is in the work place it can make it even harder to focus on the task at hand.
Overwhelming to declutter your home
Having too much clutter in your home can be overwhelming. When you come home from a hard day at work, you want to unwind. If there is clutter all over the place, it is more challenging.
When there is too much to do, it may be difficult to find the motivation to get started.
Don’t have people over
If you know your home is full of clutter, you probably don’t want to have people over.
This can impact your social life as if others invite you over, they might expect an invitation in return. It can also lead to resentment if someone always has you over and you don’t invite them over.
How to declutter your home
Do it in small chunks of time
If you know you have too much to do, it may seem too big of a challenge. Set up a specific time to declutter, perhaps 30 minutes. There is no wrong or right amount of time. Whatever amount of time seems doable to you. If you keep doing this on a regular basis, you will eventually whittle away those piles.
Decide what you want to do with the clutter
When I have helped my kids move or organize we divide it in 3 different piles. They are things to donate, things to throw away and things to sell. If you aren’t using it, there is no need to keep it.
Have a place for everything
A person tends to lose keys, wallets and phones the most. Consider having a place to hang your keys near the door you enter. When you come in, put it on the key rack.
Where do you want to put your wallet? Is it in your bathroom, on your dresser or a specific drawer? Try to get in the habit of always putting it there, and then you will be able to find it when you need it.
You may also want to have a basket on the kitchen counter or near the door to put wallets, keys and phones.
Throw things away to declutter your home
Once you are done with a piece of paper, get rid of it. There is no need for magazines, newspapers or mail to sit around the house once you have looked at it. It is best to only have to handle a piece of paper one time.
Tidy up time
If you just take 5 minutes a day to tidy up, it will help to reduce the clutter. Set a specific time each day to do this-perhaps after dinner, before bed, or first thing in the morning.
Or if you find yourself with a few minutes on your hand, pick up a little bit. A few minutes here and there really adds up.
Hopefully these tips are helpful. If you suffer from clutter and chaos, therapy can help. Please give me a call at 713-304-6554.
Take care,
Debbie
