How to Prepare To Declutter And Improve Your Health
Yes we have to prepare to declutter. It’s okay to understand the theory behind why having to much clutter is bad for us. But how do we get rid of it? In this post we explore the first step to do exactly that, and like all good things the first step is preparation.
So far in this series of posts inspired by January being ‘National Get Organised Month’ we have discussed how to identify if you have a problem with clutter and why decluttering is beneficial to your health and wellbeing. So, in this post we’re going to prepare to declutter our environment whether that be the home or office.
Right now, you should be excited. As you prepare to declutter, you’re also preparing to experience a life where you’re more productive, have better mental and physical health and less stress and anxiety. These wonderful benefits can be achieved simply by cleaning up and organizing your life. One of the first things you need to do as you prepare to declutter your environment is to head to the shops.
As you declutter, you’re preparing to experience a life where you have better health and higher productivity
Yes, you may need to buy a few things to help you clobber that clutter. Consider purchasing the following items to help you prepare to declutter. (You may not need any of the following items. However, they could help you declutter quickly and effectively.)
- A timer of some sort
- Boxes, boxes, boxes
- Marker Pens
- Sticky labels and post-it notes
- Storage Jars
- File sorter
- Cupboard and drawer organizers
- Bulletin boards
- Stackable shoe boxes
- Clothes Hangers
- File, partition boxes
- Shelf units
- Pegboard (pegboard kit)
As you can see, there are quite a few items which will help you in your decluttering efforts. Again, you may not need all these organisational helpers, but they can go a long way in helping you live a clutter free life.
Developing a System
You may be so in inundated with clutter that you don’t know where to begin. Don’t feel overwhelmed. Start in 10 or 20 minute chunks, tackling small areas. Don’t bounce around from one project to another. Stay on one decluttering mission until it is finished, or until you have reached your time limit.
Stay on one decluttering mission until it is finished, or until you have reached your time limit.
If you’re decluttering your home, begin in the room where you spend the most time. If most your time at home is spent in the living room, decluttering this area first will provide the most benefits. When that room is finished, continue to focus your efforts on those rooms where you spend most of your time.
If most your time is spent in the living room, decluttering this area first will provide the most benefits.
Establish some sensible expectations. If you have lived in a clutter-filled environment your whole life, you will probably not be able to declutter over a weekend. Write down a plan for daily clutter cleaning, and stick to it. Over time, consistent, daily efforts will pay off in a big way.
In tomorrow’s post, we’ll look at some simple steps that you can take to overcome the biggest barrier to decluttering. That of deciding what to keep and what to let go.
In the meantime what do you need to do in order to prepare to declutter? Let me know in the comments below
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Till Next Time
Mike Gardner is The Time Doctor
