Most people don’t associate decluttering your space with self-care. However, it is an essential element of practicing self-care. In today’s post, we will discuss the physical, mental and emotional benefits of decluttering.
Understanding the Connection Between Clutter and Mental Health
Before we dive deeper into the importance of decluttering, let’s define self-care. Self-care refers to our actions to protect and improve our physical/mental well-being and happiness. Most people associate self-care with bubble baths, massages, manicures/pedicures, and face masks.
However, while these things are an enjoyable element of self-care, this is not all. Self-care sometimes means doing something you don’t want to improve your well-being. For instance, visiting a doctor, flossing your teeth, prioritizing workout, eating healthy, sleeping eight hours a day, and taking care of your surroundings are very important. You get the point. Decluttering your surroundings is one of the best ways to practice self-care.
Self-Care Benefits of Decluttering
We all know how we feel when nearly all of our closet is on your floor, you can’t find the desired objects, and your space seems overwhelmed with stuff and always dirty. There are many techniques to declutter, and here are the benefits of decluttering your area:
Space
We all would like a bit of extra space in our homes. Instead of wishing you had a bigger space, try to make the most of your current home by downsizing. More clutter means less freedom. Getting rid of the additional, unwanted items in your house will create a breathing room in your home, transforming it into a space where you can rest and relax.
Time
Do what you value most in your life instead of worrying about tidying things up. The less stuff you have, the less time you will spend cleaning, caring, tidying, and managing it. Decluttering will free up your time which you can use to rest, practice a hobby, socialize, and do whatever you want. I am going to illustrate this with an example. If you have 50 outfits, you’ll have to spend a lot of time washing them, folding them, ironing them, and organizing them.
On the contrary, if you have ten outfits, the time you spend washing, ironing, and organizing is automatically reduced by 90 percent. Moreover, you don’t have to spend hours in front of the mirror worrying about what to wear. Since this is just one example, try to apply this mentality to all parts of your home and see how much more time you will have on hand.
Energy
In the modern world, we all complain about being tired. Excess stuff occupies not only your time but also your energy. Conserve your energy and spend it doing things that matter to you. Believe it or not, you will see a dramatic improvement in your energy levels when you decide to declutter your life.
Money
Fortunately, or unfortunately, we all tend to overwork ourselves into exhaustion to buy stuff we do not need. It is a complex cycle to break. Have a close hard look at your home and take out all the things you don’t need. Sell it, and you will have some extra bucks on your hand but do not fall back into the cycle. You can add the money to your savings account and spend it on experiences instead of purchasing flashy things that will soon lose their charm.
Focus
Getting rid of the clutter around your house will bring you immense focus. You will be able to eliminate decision fatigue which is an excellent attribute. Getting rid of the physical clutter will automatically work wonders for mental clutter. A tidy space can work wonders for your productivity if you work from home. Try it to see the difference. Waking up to a clean house and office is way more motivating than waking up to a pile of clothes sitting around the corner.
Peace
Maintaining your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Your home needs to be a source of joy and peace, not stress. When your home is clutter free and tidy all the time, you welcome immense peace and contentment into your life.
Freedom
More time, space, and energy means more freedom to build your life. When you no longer feel weighed down by the stuff, you will be capable of willing out your life with whatever genuinely matters to you.
Declutter; Don’t Deprive
Most people associate owning less with depriving themselves. However, that isn’t the case. Sometimes, people become so obsessed with something that it starts to impact their day-to-day life. Decluttering excessively to a point when you deny yourself the things you love can also be detrimental. It is essential to strike a healthy balance. Everyone has a different decluttering journey. As Marie Kondo says, ‘if it doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it.
If it does, don’t, even when the minimalist next door has a total of 5 things. On a positive note, getting rid of the clutter means more time, energy, space, money, freedom, and fewer distractions. All of these elements will benefit your life in a glamorous way. You can keep your space tidy and clutter-free by choosing to own less stuff and have a few solid tidying habits in place. You can use all the freed-up time to do what you love and clear your mind.
Decluttering Your Mind, Body, and Soul
I am sure you have understood by now that decluttering doesn’t just mean keeping your home clean and tidy. Cluttered space often translates into a cluttered mind. The benefits go way beyond that. It is a crucial element of self-care because it clears your mind, frees up your time, and enables you to focus on things that matter. Don’t let that happen to you. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, leave them in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply