Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your life? Trust me – you aren’t alone.
When it comes to clutter, the struggle is real. It slowly accumulates, filling every nook and cranny. You might not notice it at first, but over time, it has a way of totally taking over your life. And it’s not just your physical space. Clutter has a way of creeping into pretty much everywhere if you let it – your cell phone, your calendar, and even your mind.
The good news? You don’t have to let clutter win. You can take back control! And you don’t have to wait – you can start by getting rid of these things to declutter from your life today.
Why is decluttering so important, anyway?
Some people think that clutter is A-OK. After all, if you’ve lived with it for longer than you can remember, it can almost become a part of who you are and what you do.
But that doesn’t make it acceptable. Clutter can negatively impact your life in a multitude of ways, whether or not you actually feel like it does. It can raise your stress level, consciously or subconsciously. Clutter can make it more difficult to focus, concentrate, think critically, and be creative. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious – even if you can’t really pinpoint why you’re feeling that way. Decluttering your life might sound like a daunting task, but believe me, it’s well worth the effort. Getting rid of stuff that’s no longer serving you and only exists to gather dust is rewarding, fulfilling, and has the potential to transform your mental state. Give it a try. You might just be surprised to see how much better you feel once you’ve cleared away all that clutter in your home and your life.
7 Things to Declutter From Your Life Today
There’s no right or wrong place to start your decluttering journey. And there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Committing to declutter as little as one thing a day can make a big difference over time – as long as you aren’t bringing in new clutter during the process.
1. Declutter your closet.
Looking for an easy win? Decluttering your closet will help you check that box and feel a sense of accomplishment. Most of us hold onto things we’re never going to wear again. Shirts that are too big or too small, shoes that don’t quite fit, dresses you’ve never worn but you promise you’re going to find a reason to wear one day… despite the fact that it’s been hanging in your wardrobe, gathering dust for three years.
Not to mention, the closet is a great place for all kinds of boxes, bins, bags, and stuff to hide.
Decluttering your closet is a win-win. You’ll benefit from having a better understanding of what’s in there and being able to quickly and easily find what you need without sorting through the clutter. And since most of the clothes, coats, shoes, and apparel you declutter can be donated, you’ll benefit someone in need, too.
Start small tip: Pick just one type of clothing (short-sleeved shirts, jeans, shorts, etc.) and start from there.
2. Declutter your cell phone.
When it comes to decluttering, most people think about their physical space – not digital. But there’s definitely merit in decluttering your digital devices, including your cell phone.
Think about it. Do you have many apps installed on your mobile device that you never use? How much of your phone’s memory is taken up by photos you don’t actually want to keep and won’t ever look at again?
How many voicemails and downloads are clogging up your device?
What about all the phone numbers you’ve saved to your phone that you’ll truly never use again?
By decluttering your cell phone, you’ll boost your device’s capabilities and your well-being.
Start small tip: Focus on just your apps first. Delete the ones you don't need or use. Move onto the contacts list next if you have time.
3. Declutter your kitchen.
The kitchen is another spot in your house that is easy to clutter up. Maybe you have pots and pans collecting dust in the back of your cabinets.
Maybe you’ve got an Instapot and a juicer that is taking up a ton of counter space but never gets used. You might have a pantry filled with canned goods and spices that are long expired – yes, they do go bad eventually.
Whatever your kitchen situation currently is, chances are it –and you – can benefit from a decluttering session.
Start small tip: Pick just one shelf, drawer, cabinet, or countertop, and declutter it today.
4. Declutter your wallet, purse, and bag.
It's easy for receipts, pens, lip balms, and who knows what else to vanish into our purses, never to be seen again (this is especially true if you have young children).
And while it isn’t going to ruin your life, it is going to make it that much more difficult for you to find what you need – your phone, your wallet, your keys – when you need it.
By decluttering your purse, you’ll eliminate a small but meaningful source of stress from your life – and make it exponentially easier to find the things you’re looking for.
Start small tip: Begin by decluttering your wallet and then move on to your bag.
5. Declutter your schedule.
Do you feel stressed out at the thought of how busy your day will be? Are you constantly running from one obligation to the next, bouncing between appointments, meetups, dinner dates, and everything else.
Try decluttering your calendar.
Many of us are under the impression that being busy is good, but that isn’t necessarily the case. We all need a little downtime to decompress, destress, relax and chill out. And if you don’t already have that in your schedule, you probably need to step back from some of those obligations.
What meetings and appointments leave you totally exhausted? Are there any commitments you’ve made that don’t help you move toward your goals? Consider saying no and declining those invitations.
By giving yourself more time in your day, you’ll find yourself happier and healthier.
Start small tip: Find just one thing in your schedule that you can move or cancel to have more balance or breathing room in your calendar.
6. Declutter your car.
When we think about decluttering our physical space, most of us immediately think about our homes – and nothing further. But unless you’re one of those people who keep their vehicle meticulously clean at all times, chances are there’s some clutter lurking that you could get rid of.
Check the glove compartment for expired registration and old receipts. Clear out your trunk and see what’s lurking in the corners of your back seat. Bring stuff that doesn’t actually belong in your car into your home – and put it in its proper place. You might be surprised to see just how much more relaxing your daily commute can be when your car is organized and clutter-free.
Start small tip: Begin by removing all trash from the car. If that’s all you can do today, that’s ok!
7. Declutter your thoughts.
A great thing to declutter from your life today? Let go of your negative thoughts that aren’t benefitting you in any way.
Easier said than done, right? It can be especially challenging when you have developed a habit of negative thinking. But, the good news is there are various ways to change your mindset and improve how you’re feeling.
Decluttering your thoughts takes intentionality. The world is full of noise and constant distractions. Slowing down and taking time to think and focus takes effort.
Journaling is a great option for this. If you aren’t sure where to start use mindful journaling prompts to help you begin.
Taking care of your mental health and processing through your thoughts and potential emotional clutter is an important part of your well-being.
Start small tip: Go for a quick walk or simply sit outside for a bit without your phone. Have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and do nothing.
source: thesimplicityhabit.com
Download the full issue of the January-February 2024 Healthy Options News Digest here.
