Why & How to Declutter Your Spaces
We’ve all been there. We sit down at our desk in hopes of being focused and productive only to realize we’re surrounded by clutter…
We try to ignore it, we tell ourselves it doesn’t matter- that we can get our work done anyway.
And maybe we push through it, but what are we feeling during this time? Ease? Focus?
Not a chance.
Studies show that physical clutter in our environment can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, as well as decreased ability to focus and concentrate - it creates visual distractions that can overwhelm our brain and make it difficult to process information.
Alternatively, when our environment is tidy, we are able to process information more efficiently, and we are less likely to feel overwhelmed. A clean and organized space can create a sense of calm and well-being, which can help us to feel more motivated and energized.
Here are 10 tips for decluttering your spaces:
Set an intention. This could be something like “I want to feel a sense of calm when I am cooking in the kitchen”, or “I want to feel organized and productive when I am working at my desk”, or “I want to not spend 30 minutes looking for my keys” (hey, it happens).
Set aside time to declutter. Decide on a specific time each day or week to work on this!
Start small. One drawer at a time- don’t overwhelm yourself!
Be thorough. Once you’ve opened that drawer, go through each and every item- decide what you need and what you don’t.
Sort and label your items! Put items into categories such as “keep”, “donate”, “sell”, “recycle”, etc. Similarly, you can further sort your piles into like items such as “writing utensils”, “cleaning supplies”, “winter socks”…
Be honest with yourself. When was the last time you used this? Will you really use this? Okay but REALLY?!?
Use storage solutions. Boxes, bins, shelves, drawers… These will help you know where things go and where to find them, keep like things together, hide unsightly items, and give a clean and uniformed look!
Get creative! Custom built-ins are a great way to organize your things for your unique needs.
9. Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate your organization- you want to make sure you can easily keep up with your system!
10. Maintain. Decluttering is not a one-time task. Be sure to regularly go through your things and get rid of anything that is no longer needed. Put things back where they belong! You’ll be so glad you did.
Give it a go- take some time to declutter and organize your space, and see how it can improve your productivity, stress-levels, and overall well-being! And don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re looking for custom design solutions to fit your needs.
New year, new you!