Decluttering is all the rage in home organization and in keeping a space unencumbered by unnecessary “stuff.”
But what about decluttering ourselves internally — and are the two connected?
Research points to a causal relationship between physical clutter and mental disarray. Simply put, when we have too many things around us, we become more easily distracted. When you think about it, this makes sense.
Most of us have had the experience of digging around in piles of paper on our desks and feeling a rising anxiety. If you can’t distinguish between essential and disposable papers, for example, it makes life harder overall and poses an unnecessary obstacle.
In this post, we’ll lay out doable tips for making your space more serene so your head can be cleared as well.
Janelle Adams, MA, LMFT, ATR, has long been invested in taking an intentional approach to providing mental health care. Working to simplify your life, both physically and mentally, sets you up for a life with more agency. At In Touch Counseling, we approach your care thoughtfully and design treatment plans to meet your unique needs and address the challenges you’re facing.
Unfortunately, we tend not to discard items or buy multiples of the same item. In fact, the average American has about $7,000 in unused items in their home.
We noted that studies have shown a relationship between poorer mental health and cluttered surroundings, but how does the mess affect us exactly?
Living and working in a chaotic space has been shown to contribute to:
By streamlining your environment, you’re also supporting your mental health by gaining peace and clarity
We have a plan to help you regain control of your environment so you can feel more grounded and calm.
When you imagine decluttering your home, it seems overwhelming — an entire home? If you break this project down into smaller, easy-to-do chunks, you’ll set yourself up for success and won’t feel so overloaded.
Start with a single drawer, closet, or area of a room, and just focus on that. A system that works for many is the “Keep, donate, or toss” system. Try to let go of items you haven’t used or worn in a year, and toss things that are broken. We often have grand plans to repair something, but then years go by with no progress.
You’ve heard the phrase “Everything has its place,” and the more you can designate dedicated places for your belongings, the easier life will be. No more stressful searches for things that waste time and leave you frantic. Having fewer things also makes it easier to assign locations for them.
A minimalistic home environment doesn’t have to be sterile or dull. Often, minimalists' homes are filled only with items they find useful and beautiful, creating more room to enjoy them visually. This type of home also increases your sense of well-being.
Another impactful step you can take is to bring some of the outdoors in. Having plants in your home not only improves your air quality but also complements a known stress reducer: spending time outdoors in nature.
Studies reflect that when we connect with nature, we’re happier and feel like our lives are more meaningful. Natural elements in our home can also calm us and support focus and creativity.
While you’re addressing simplifying your living and working spaces, it’s equally important to pay attention to simplifying things for your mind by:
Supporting your mental health by making your home less chaotic and more visually serene is an ideal complement to adopting practices that strengthen it.
If you’d like a less complicated and more empowered, richer life, look into embracing these steps. Schedule an appointment with us if you’d like support for any mental health conditions you’re living with, from anxiety or depression to sleep disorders and more.
Contact our Camas office by calling 360-205-5236 or use our convenient online booking tool.
