by Makayla Dilliner
Clutter, the unavoidable pile up after a long week. An “I’ll do it tomorrow” Monday, can easily turn into a day’s worth of chores by the weekend. Ignoring minute tasks when our mind is already consumed with the busyness of kids, bills, and deadlines can be all too easy. The chaos of daily life can be overwhelming when you’re juggling your responsibilities, your child’s messes, and the perpetual clutter. Living in a messy environment coupled with the looming knowledge you’ll have to eventually clean it all up, can add an additional layer of stress to our lives. The answer to this stress can be found in tackling the tasks we tend to avoid, rather than in seeking solace through TV, movies, and self-care. While it may be difficult to find the energy, time or motivation to clean, decluttering offers the key to reducing our stress levels through various factors.
According to researchers at UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families (CELF), clutter highly impacts the mood and self esteem of those within a working household. One of the main mental effects of a cluttered environment is a lack of focus. Struggling to focus can make it more difficult to filter out the problems of our everyday life. The university’s study found that clutter impacts the brain’s ability to process additional information. Dealing with the occasional or perpetual clutter will undoubtedly be beneficial in quality of life, but where do you start? The answer is, little by little. There are various different methods and tricks that can be implemented to overcome the problem of clutter all together.
In essence, clutter is the cumulation of “things”. One of the most obvious solutions is to have fewer things. Go through what you have and decide what of your possessions you do and don’t need. Sort by what you want to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Figuring out what to let go of can be more difficult than it would appear. Whether it be an emotional attachment to an old mug you don’t use, or a lipstick that you’re saving for the right outing, getting rid of our things can be difficult. Do it at your own pace. Define what your goals are in your decluttering process. A rule of thumb for yourself could be “have I used this in the last month”. If the answer is no then time to consider if you need that specific item.
Once you’ve finished setting aside everything you want to get rid of it’s time for the fun part. Just like planning, organizing has its perks too! Visualize a space where everything has its designated spot, eliminating the frustration of misplaced items. Organizing minimizes the amount of time and energy you’ll spend looking for specific items. Start by categorizing the remaining items. Group similar items together, such as clothing, books, electronics, or kitchenware. This will make it easier to assign them to specific areas. Consider the frequency of use for each category. Items used daily should be easily accessible, while those used less frequently can be stored in less convenient locations. Utilize shelves, drawers, bins, and baskets to create organized spaces. Label everything clearly so you and your family members can easily find what they need. Invest in storage solutions that maximize space and keep items contained.
As you organize, think about aesthetics as well as functionality. Arrange items in a visually pleasing way that complements your home’s decor. Fold clothes neatly, stack books vertically or horizontally, and arrange decorative items to create an inviting atmosphere. Organizing is an ongoing process. Regularly assess your belongings and declutter as needed. By maintaining an organized space, you’ll create a more peaceful and enjoyable home environment.
You don’t have to go through the cleaning and decluttering process alone. Involve the rest of your family. Whether your children are younger or older, everyone can lend a hand in keeping the house clean. Teaching young children the value of taking care of belongings can foster a better sense of care as they grow older. Getting your kids to clean up their own messes can be quite a feat. One step towards an easier battle over cleaning bedrooms can be leading by example. Let them in on the process of sorting and organizing items during the declutter phase. Seeing you letting go of items, may make them more likely to follow suit.
Assigning chores and creating habits can also help not only keep your home clean but create future habits for your children. Ask your children to be responsible for basic, yet effective, tasks like putting away their toys and belongings or even dusting. Getting children to do their chores is not always an easy and enjoyable mission. Try to implement some fun methods and incentives. While cleaning, play music that your children will want to dance and listen to. For younger children who are just learning how they would like to organize or clean their space, praise can be just enough reinforcement to keep the habit up. Instead of simply telling them to get certain tasks done, you could formulate a weekly chart of “who does what” around the house. This way, they can actually see the big picture of how the house must be kept tidy. Chore boards could be an elaborate poster with drawings. Or a to-do list whiteboard where your child is excited to use the dry erase marker. You could even include rewards such as stickers, snacks, or extra screen time. It doesn’t have to be complicated for your child to enjoy it. Have fun and let your child in on the design and decorating process!
Like most things, consistency is key. At first it may be difficult to keep a routine, especially when there’s a struggle to find the time or motivation. Still, working towards a set system can be extremely beneficial. If you don’t have a cleaning system for your home already in place, start off small. Doing the dishes right after a meal or only doing laundry when you know you’ll have time to fold it after can prevent piles from forming. It may be ideal to include children in this practice as well. Distributing the task can be easier on everyone, and create a clean environment that all family members can enjoy. In time you and your family will be so accustomed to certain tasks that keeping your respective areas clean and tidy will be second nature.
There are long term benefits to you and your family in keeping your living environment clean. Maintaining a clean and organized environment reduces stress and helps to establish good habits. Regularly going through your belongings not only frees up physical space in your home but space in your mind.
