It’s Saturday afternoon, and I am writing in the midst of a spring cleaning break. So far, I have not handled much more than putting things where they should have been all along! If you struggle with keeping clutter at bay between a busy schedule, I’m sure you can relate.
But, it is really important to keep clutter at bay and take the time to go through the spring cleaning process. To me, spring cleaning means more than dusting all of the corners and really putting things away. Spring cleaning is about getting rid of clutter that is secretly cluttering your mind. So, it seems I have more work to do and I am hoping you will join me! Keep reading for a guide on how to declutter your mind with spring cleaning.
The Effect of Clutter on Your Mind
Have you ever walked into your bedroom and felt overwhelmed by everything you saw? I know I have. This is because your mind can only handle so much stimulation before it gets overwhelmed. Where this level of stimulation sits is different for everyone. For example, extroverts may enjoy a higher level of stimulation. In contrast, highly sensitive people and introverts may like to keep their stimulation level lower. However, when it comes to clutter, this is an undesirable stimulation all around! This means it is time for spring cleaning.
Many studies suggest that clutter is disruptive to mental health, leading to higher levels of cortisol. For example. this article by The New York Times explains a study done by a professor from the University of Chicago. This study shows that the cortisol levels of women who had clutter at home actually raised throughout the day rather than dropped. Meaning, they came home from a long day of work only to continue feeling stressed at home!
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary – your place of rest. Your living area in your home should bring you peace after a long day of work. If these areas are all full of clutter, they will not be restful or peaceful. If you really are unbothered by living in a messy area, then this article is probably not relevant to you. But, if you have felt the slightest bit overwhelmed by looking around your cluttered home, you are likely experiencing higher levels of cortisol/stress in your life as a result.
Tips to Declutter with Spring Cleaning
So, how do you actually get rid of clutter? Queue spring cleaning! While you can choose any time of year to declutter, adding it to your spring cleaning routine is a sure way to get it done. Keep reading for tips on how to declutter with spring cleaning.
- To avoid being overwhelmed, divide your declutter goal into sections. For example, you may choose one day to focus on your closet, one day to focus on your bathroom, and one day to focus on your kitchen and living area. Divide the areas of focus into a plan that makes the most sense for you. By splitting the task into bite-sized chunks, you will likely do a more effective job and feel less stressed out.
- When debating whether to keep something, ask yourself when you last used it. Then, ask yourself if you will happily use it within the next 3 months. If you can’t seem to answer either question, it is probably time to get rid of it. For items like lightly used clothing, create a donation pile so that someone else can love it after you.
- Make a pile of things you are uncertain about parting with. Instead of making a decision now, store these items somewhere hidden away. See if you miss anything while it is gone. If you do, go get it – it is still there! If you don’t miss things after a few months, that means it is just taking up space and it is time to say goodbye.
Things You Shouldn’t Do to Declutter
Sometimes, we can get in our own way when it comes to getting rid of clutter. But what if I need it for this certain event? What if I regret getting rid of it? How do I part with something that someone else gifted to me? Here are some tips on things you shouldn’t do to declutter.
- Stop thinking that more storage equals less clutter. When you buy storage bins, drawers, or shelving units for your clutter, you are actually not decluttering. You are just finding more places to keep your clutter! And the reality is that those storage bins, drawers, and shelving units take up space too. Instead of re-homing your clutter, take a good look at it and see if it even needs a place at all.
- Do not throw everything away. Instead of throwing everything away, make different piles of your items. What can you donate, repurpose, recycle, or bring to a thrift store? What can you list on Facebook Marketplace for someone local to pick up? Decluttering does not mean things will go to waste if you are intentional with your process.
- Don’t make other plans on a declutter day. While you may be fine with decluttering by morning and socializing by night, this is not my preference! I have found that taking an entire day to focus on deep decluttering is worth it. You do not have to rush and can really focus on doing a good job. It can be mentally draining to part with objects if you are not used to getting rid of things. So, allow yourself to dive into the decluttering process and allow time to rest your mind and body after.