There are a lot of us out there who have, at some point, looked around our homes and have felt a little bit too ‘enclosed’ by the sheer amount of ‘stuff’ we have. If you have lived anywhere for a few years, it all starts to build up…. And whether it’s nostalgia, lack of time – or just the (often misguided) belief that we’ll still use it at some point, we get rid of nothing.
It leads to mess… piles of paperwork on the table, clothes spilling out of your wardrobe, old-fashioned gadgets (and usually lots of chargers) gathering dust in cupboards… and, believe it or not, all of it quietly adds that bit more stress to our daily lives. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up – it’s about better living, helps you think clearly and simply improves your overall wellbeing.
There’s a Link Between Clutter and Stress
It’s no coincidence that if our home feels messy, our minds usually do as well… and psychologists have long linked lots of clutter to higher stress levels, a lack of productivity – and it can even affect your sleeping. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, everything seems even worse, and it can all get overwhelming. With a bit of decluttering, you’ll give yourself a bit of breathing space, both mentally and physically.
The less clutter you have, the more likely you are to just sit back and enjoy the space you’re living in – and this can help to improve mood…relationships and even your work productivity.
The Benefits of Storage as a Decluttering Tool
But we all know how hard it is to decide what it is you need to get rid of. What if you throw it out and need it later? Or simply just regret it later. Are you ready to throw it into the ether and never see it again? Well, if you’re not 100% sure it’s ready to be consigned to the dump, why not just put it into storage for a while? There are all sorts of services, like Henriksson Storage, where you can keep items that you’re not completely ready to part with but are creating a mess.
The rule of thumb is pretty easy… if you don’t go back to use something within a year, you can probably let it go.
Decluttering Gives You More Time and Energy
Most people have spent far too much time trying to hunt down their keys or wallet, or looking through lots of out-of-date paperwork to find the latest insurance documents, etc. Ultimately, clutter isn’t just annoying; it can waste a lot of your precious time.
It can also save you energy. Instead of hunting things down, constantly trying to tidy up and move everything around, you can spend that time and energy doing something a lot more fun…
And there are the Financial Benefits
According to Forbes, it can be pretty good for your wallet as well. In terms of financial benefits, some of that clutter could still have a bit of value. There are all sorts of sites like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, or even charity shops where you can either make a bit of money from your old bits and bobs… or just give someone the chance to make use of something that’s just gathering dust in the corner.
It’s also a pretty good way to make you a bit more mindful about what you buy in future… when you’ve got rid of lots of junk, you’re a lot more likely to be a little bit more cautious about buying even more.
Healthier Home Means a Healthier You
It’s not just good for your mental health, it’s also pretty good for your physical health. Having a tidier home makes it a lot easier to clean, which means there’s less chance of it harbouring dust, mould or any other allergens. That can only be good! And, of course, there are probably fewer trip hazards you need to worry about, which is especially important if you have children or older members of the family.
Also, if you have a pet (particularly a curious, permanently hungry dog), it’s less likely they’ll end up finding something they want to eat but shouldn’t… potentially leading to a sick animal and an expensive vet bill!
Our Top Tips for Serious Decluttering
Want to start decluttering your life? Then here are our top tips…
- Start out small: Don’t try to tackle the whole house at once – draw by draw, room by room.
- Sort things into categories: If you have different piles for ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘sell’ and ‘storage’, it can make it a lot easier.
- Be honest with yourself: Realistically, if you haven’t used something in years, you probably don’t need it.
- Use storage wisely: If there are any items you’re on the fence about, you should put them in storage and come back to them later.
A Fresh Start
When you have decluttered, it really can feel like a weight’s been lifted off your shoulders. A tidy house means a tidy mind – and if you have a nice, clean and decluttered home, everything feels better!
