Less Mess, Less Stress - Decluttering to Save Your Sanity

Most of us have at some point felt so exasperated by our homes that we want to move house & start again. To even clean our homes can feel totally overwhelming if there are no clear surfaces, or there seems to be chaos in every corner. The solution to this suffocation - less stuff! It sounds simple - but we all become attached to our things as though they are a physical extension of ourselves but can find that too much actually stifles us! For most of us, space is limited & we must be protective of it in order to feel calm in our homes. If we start looking at our space as a finite resource, we become much more selective about what comes (and stays) in. If we find a harmonious balance in our house between space & stuff, we must not continuously buy without regularly decluttering to keep our balance.

The ratio of space to possessions that we find comfortable in our space is totally subjective. For some, having lots of ornaments helps them to feel cosy, but for others, minimal feels best. At whatever level the possessions tip this balance for us, this is where they become 'clutter', and the effects can be dramatic. Clutter is always unhelpful, stressful & smothering. To understand the effect it has on us, it helps to understand the concept of 'visual noise'. Visual Noise is classified as 'any random visual stimulus' and in much the same way as our ears do when we listen to music, our eyes send endless signals to our brains about any visual stimuli. If we compare it to when we drive, we often turn the music down when we are looking for an address or in a precarious situation. Visual clutter effects us in exactly the same way. Relentless visual noise in our homes can be as stressful for our brains as loud music which we can't escape. If clutter gets out of control, the exhausting impact can make us depressed & severely demotivated or lethargic. The possessions we once saw as an extension of ourselves can totally consume us!

To add further complication, we can sometimes 'inherit' clutter from a loved one, or for whatever reason have lots of possessions which we keep out of guilt. We feel we can't part with items which were gifted to us, which we once loved, which our children once loved or that once belonged to someone we cared about. Again, we must let go of this guilt and remember that no physical item is worth more than your mental health & leading a contented, fulfilling life. We must again look at our space as a finite resource, and set boundaries to protect it.

Reducing clutter can feel like a mountain to climb if it has got out of control, but any improvement is a step in the right direction. Start small, with a single drawer or cupboard. Empty the space completely and categorise the contents. From here, choose what you want back in the space (things you use & love only), and donate or discard the rest. The result of this process is so cathartic - and a finished project, however small will inspire the next. Remember, each reduction in clutter is a positive step towards the balance which feels good for you. If you find that it is just too difficult to face - contact a professional. A home declutterer & organiser can help you immensely, to support, motivate and give your project momentum. Alternatively, if the problem feels too severe and you need a solution very quickly, a clearance company such as Just Clear https://justclear.com/ can be a life line. We can sometimes attach huge shame to our houses but asking for help means you feel so much less alone. Professionals aren't there to judge, we understand how clutter accumulates and know how to address it. However we can, finding the balance in our homes is vital for our mental health.