The clutter in my room makes me feel depressed!
I can do this, but I don’t know where to start.
I am stuck, and there is no way to get out of it.
Have you ever been in a situation where you find that cleaning is not your forte, and you need more guidance to move forward smoothly?
If the answer is yes, do not bother about it anymore. I am here to help you to make your mind clear and clutter-free.
So, let us get started!
What is Clutter?
Before jumping into details, let’s know the actual meaning of clutter.
In this hectic and competitive world, we sometimes panic about our disorganized things. This disorganized situation affects our efficiency and makes us passive in terms of action.
Clutter is having an excessive abundance of items or goods that collectively fashion disorderly and chaotic living spaces.
Clutter is the stuff you keep “just in case.” It’s that drawer full of cables and wires you haven’t touched in five years. It’s the clothes that don’t fit or are not needed, but still hang in your closet. It’s the mail you meant to sort out three weeks ago. It forms up silently and steals your time, focus, and even happiness. In simple words, clutter is everything that no longer serves you yet still takes up your precious space.
Impacts of Cluttered Spaces
You might be under the impression that clutter is nothing but an untidy collection of stuff. And all it will take is a small chunk of time to clean it up. However, what you do not notice is that this clutter is doing more than taking up your physical spaces; it is consistently affecting your mental and physical wellness.
For example:
- Dust particles that accumulate in cluttered spaces can aggravate your allergies.
- A disorganized place can make you clumsy as you have no space to perform your rituals, exercise, or even routine work. This laziness, in turn, leads to other physical and mental diseases, ranging from obesity and high blood pressure to muscle-related diseases and anxiety. Furthermore, it can pose a serious risk to your personal hygiene.
- Poorly managed sleeping spaces can disturb your sleep patterns, which can leave you on the verge of hypertension and cardiac ailments.
- Poorly organized spaces can invite self-imposed isolation, as you may start feeling ashamed of inviting your friends. Plus, your mind is always overwhelmed, so hormonal imbalances are expected.
- Don’t be alarmed, as our focus is to turn our spaces into comfortable zones. Unless you know the implications of this so-called laziness or procrastination, how can you develop an aptitude for cleanliness?
Now, let’s consider the other side of the picture:
- First, you feel lighter and fresher when you see an organized place.
- Second, cleanliness always gives a sense of calm amidst your bustling and monotonous routine.
- Third, decluttering your places multiplies your productivity and makes you feel happy and calm.
- Fourth, clean spaces bring a sense of order.
- Fifth, it acts as a haven you turn to when seeking comfort.
Decluttering Your Environment
Instead of taking big steps, start with smaller ones in order to declutter your spaces.
Whenever you find yourself in an environment with lots of stuff stuffed here and there. Just stop for a moment and ask yourself:
Step Ask Yourself Reflections
Do I Use It? How often do I use this item?
When did I last use it?Think about those plastic containers and bottles in your cupboard.
Do I Love It? Do I genuinely like this item?
If I say I love it, why isn’t it stored properly?Consider why a favorite pair of shoes is hidden behind the rack.
Do I Need It? Can I find it when I need it?
What would happen if I didn’t keep it?
How hard would it be to replace if I let it go?Be honest: needs vs wants often get confused.
Apply Minimalist Thinking Am I keeping things just in case?
What purpose does this serve right now?Decluttering becomes easier with mindful, minimalist choices.
Digital Spaces Count Too Are your files, emails, and photos organized?
Do you really need to keep every screenshot or download?Physical and digital clutter both impact peace of mind.
Besides that, you can always start by following these strategies:
Donate Items
You can give away those things that you are not using anymore.
You can even dedicate a “donation box” to keep all unnecessary items in it for donation.
The KonMari Method
If something is really close to your heart, only then are you allowed to keep it.
- Instead of going room by room, this method focuses on categories:
-
Clothes
-
Books
-
Papers
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Komono (miscellaneous)
-
Sentimental items
- Papers
This helps you from scattering the same category across various places and offers you a full picture of how much you own.
2. Next is the heart of the KonMari Method. You pick up each item and ask:
Does this spark joy?
If it does, you can keep it. If it doesn’t, thank it for its service and then let it go.
3. Before buying new containers or even rearranging furniture, discard the things you no longer need. Only then should you start organizing what remains.
4. Before cleaning, you need to imagine your ideal home and lifestyle. This vision will help you stay motivated and guide your decisions.
You can also draw a mind map to begin with.
Minimalist Principles
You can always follow minimalist principles when decluttering your spaces:
Quality over quantity (Less is more): Choose quality items always.
Multipurpose items: Keep items that can be used for many purposes.
Mindful purchases: While purchasing, ensure that it remains beneficial in the long run.
By following these methods, you can easily organize your environment.
