Declutter (Home & Mind)
It really is incredible to see how clutter and a disorganised environment can take it’s toll not just on the individual but everyone around those spaces. Most of the clients who call me in are completely unaware of the strain it takes on their children, spouses, parents, etc. Generally this comes up from one “comical” comment or two when the client is out of earshot.
The “closing-in” feeling you feel when your kitchen counters are covered, your linen closet is heaving, and you can’t find anything. You might even feel anxious and overwhelmed all the time. If so, chances are the chaos and clutter in your home are impacting your mental health.
A cluttered environment can impact your relationships, freedom, tranquility, efficiency, sense of control and is a lingering distraction in your mind.
Mental Health struggles are an ongoing challenge we’re all trying to contend with in one way or another and we’re all seeking small ways to better improve our lives. In finding that balance, I know for sure that if you are managing your surroundings, that is one less struggle to have to tackle. Everyone handles the stresses and strains of daily life in different ways but we’re always capable of making choices that improve our overall wellbeing. Decluttering and organising your spaces is one of the simplest improvements to take on.
Though we do spend a lot of time as organisers curating lovely images of what one might consider “aspirational” living of incredibly beautiful spaces, that isn’t all we do. There is a lot that happens long before we’ve categorised, colour co-ordinated or labelled any space. Discussing how clients would like to live their lives within a space is very telling of the layers of sometimes emotional matters that have never been unpacked before. Material possessions and the role they play in our lives varies for each person and it’s the attachments we place on them that gets people stuck. We are part therapist, part organisers on any given day, with a box of tissues at the ready.
Research has shown that a cluttered home can also mean clutter in our minds and, if the mess gets out of hand, it could lead to physical and mental health issues. Disorganisation can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and can be one of the initial sparks of depression.
“Seeing clutter all around us is mentally exhausting and makes us feel tense,” says Sally Augustin, PhD, environmental psychologist and author of Designology: How to Find Your PlaceType and Align Your Life with Design. “The more clutter, the harder we have to work to scan and sort through our surroundings in order to find what we’re looking for or do what we have planned, and that can be stressful.”
“Our physical space, and the objects that fill it, give us, and others, a sense of who we are, what we value, and what we have accomplished;” Dr. Augustin explains. “Too much clutter can signal a lack of control and confuse that sense of identity.”
Though it’s not everyone’s dream to be living, working or playing in a Pinterest-worthy synchronised space, there is always a small part of your brain that feels calmer when things have a place. Imagine a world where you enjoy a little moment of zen every time you open that linen closet, pantry cupboard or pajama drawer. It may not be every moment, every day, but every little bit helps. Organisation gives you a sense of mastery and control over your environment. Life is full of uncertainty in many situations but at least we can assert our will on our living space.
Organisation is another tool that brings order and peacefulness to your home and I can guarantee that will bring you more joy than you can imagine.
I would suggest starting with one small area is generally the best way to get a sense of control. A junk drawer, a spice rack, a bathroom cabinet. Ask simple questions, “how many bars of soap do I really need at any given time, when is the last time I made a recipe using Sumac?” The more you simplify the ideas behind why you are keeping items, it becomes easier to rid your valuable real estate of junk.
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