How to Declutter When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can be hard to focus on anything other than the clutter and chaos around you. One of the most effective ways to restore order and improve your mental health is by decluttering your home.
Decluttering can help reduce stress levels, improve productivity, and create a more peaceful environment for yourself. In fact, according to a survey done by the Huffington Post, 47 percent of respondents cite the reason for their stress is worrying about the clutter or disorganization in their homes.
We’ve all been envious of the minimalist homes that have been sweeping social media. But meticulously organized shelves and perfectly empty spaces aren’t always feasible. And despite its benefits, decluttering can cause a lot of anxiety for those who struggle to keep things tidy.
Here are some tips on how to effectively declutter even when you’re feeling stressed. So you can get back on track with ease.
Make a List
A common mistake that people make when they start cleaning after putting it off for a while is jumping in blindly without any kind of plan. But this can be one of the easiest ways to get overwhelmed and fast.
Instead, try to create a checklist of all the areas or projects that you want to get done. Try to focus on specific, smaller tasks. This will make it easier for you to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how long it should take to complete the task.
Be Realistic
Of course you want to have a clean, organized house. But if there are cluttered areas you’ve been struggling to manage for months or even years, then you’re probably not going to have them spotless over night.
Try to give yourself some grace and be realistic with your expectations. Set small goals for yourself that will eventually add up to the whole, rather than trying to get it all done at once and ending up disappointed when that’s unsustainable or you give up halfway through.
Start Small
Trying to declutter your entire home in one go can seem like a daunting task, so it’s important to break the project down into smaller, more manageable chunks. For some people, creating a list of individual tasks can help minimize an otherwise overwhelming task. If you try to go at it all at once, then there’s a high chance you’ll get burned out and prolong the process.
Start with one room at a time or even just one drawer or section of a room and dedicate some time each day until you finish that space. If you keep it up and keep going, then eventually you’ll end up with a much more organized home. It only takes a couple of weeks to see the difference!
Let Things Go
Decluttering is an important part of stress management as it helps reduce visual clutter in your space which can be distracting and overwhelming.
One way to effectively declutter is by throwing away or donating items that are no longer needed. This will help create more breathing room in your home while also helping others who may need those particular items more than you do.
Throwing away or donating unneeded items can lead to less stress overall as it will provide more mental clarity and organization for both your physical environment and mind alike.
Take Breaks
Decluttering can be tiring both mentally and physically so don’t forget to take breaks. Take some time to reward yourself for a job well done or just relax with a cup of tea and your favorite book. If you’re negatively affecting your physical or mental health by continuing a task when you’re feeling burned out, then it’s simply not worth it to continue. Give yourself some time off and return to the task when you’re feeling refreshed and ready to go. Even if it takes you a couple of days to get one task done, that’s completely fine. Some progress is still progress.
However, this can be a slippery slope. If you sit down after every single little thing, you do then you’ll never actually get anything done, and you’ll likely get stuck in your relaxed state for a little too long. Instead, try to reward yourself after you’ve fully checked something off of your list. This is why it’s important to put manageable, realistic tasks on your to-do list!
Stay Positive
There’s no exact right way to declutter because all of us have different needs and abilities. If the thought of getting started makes you feel like you want to quit before you even begin, then try to find something to make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Try putting on a movie or TV show while you’re cleaning. Often the extra entertainment can make time pass quicker and then the tasks don’t feel as daunting. If you’re worried that watching something will be too big of a distraction, put on some headphones and try listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook.
Keeping your mind occupied can keep anxiety and stress from building, and make getting rid of clutter an overall more enjoyable experience.
Decluttering Is Good For You
Decluttering your home can be a great way to restore order and help you regain control of your life. Not only will it make things easier to find but it also helps reduce distractions from everyday stressors. Taking the time to organize, prioritize, and eliminate items that no longer serve a purpose in our lives is an important part of self-care.
Even if you don’t have the energy or motivation to tackle big projects right away, small steps like tidying up for five minutes each day can add up over time. So take some time out today – declutter and reclaim peace of mind!