How A Clear Mind Will Benefit Your Decluttering Goal

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More and more people are warming up to the idea that decluttering your physical possessions goes hand-in-hand with decluttering your mind aka mental clutter. The following is how a clear mind will help your decluttering goal

People are trying this method and find it is the secret sauce for decluttering their physical space. It's easy to get distracted today. I picture myself deleting information from my mental space when I have difficulty focusing.

Many of us struggle to start decluttering our homes because we can't focus long enough to answer, for example, 'Should I keep this item or toss it?' because we have a cluttered mind. What makes matters worse is the physical clutter seems to add to the mental noise.

A clear mind before decluttering can relieve emotional attachment

When you have negative emotions going around and around in your head it is challenging to concentrate enough to think. Finding mental clarity when our stress levels are soaring is difficult. We like to think our human brain can focus and multitask well - this is not true though.

Several authorities are now claiming multi-tasking to be a myth. For some reason we humans tend to feel fulfilled by the amount we produce in a given period.

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Stop! and start with a clear mind before decluttering

I've always believed that if you can quiet your mind, you can focus better on the task at hand. This is something I've taught myself over the years. Anytime I'm in a stressed state, I can't do anything productive without a big struggle.

When this happens I have trained myself to stop whatever I am doing, sometimes saying the word 'stop' out loud, and go for a quick walk to reset where I am, and then I can get to work. This technique works well for me because I love to walk.

You could try resetting by doing a short session of something you love to do like reading, snacking, gardening, yoga poses, or meditating. For me physical exercise works. I love the expression 'Move a muscle, change a thought'!

I recently designed a workshop, the Scavenger Hunt, a three-day challenge for folks who want to declutter their lives and cannot get through the obstacles (excuses?) in their path. We had over 100 participants, and the feedback was incredible! People told me they could finally focus and get past the obstacles they'd been struggling with for years.

Decluttering is about more than just getting rid of stuff—it's about clearing your head too. The two go in hand and the more aware you are the more you will identify with this.

Why Decluttering Matters

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You know that feeling you get when you walk into a clean, organized room? Your mind feels clearer, right? That's because physical clutter can weigh us down mentally. There have been scientific studies about this.

When your space is messy, your thoughts can be too. Decluttering your home can improve your mood, reduce stress, and even boost your productivity.

I am a nut about keeping my physical environment both home and work spaces clean and organized. By keeping spaces in good condition it takes me much less time to clean. And I do not enjoy spending my free time cleaning.

How to Get Started

Starting can be the hardest part. Here's a simple suggestion for your starting point:

• Set a Small Goal: Start with one drawer or one corner of a room.
• Schedule It: Dedicate a specific time each day, or week to declutter. Even if it's just 15 minutes!
• Be Consistent: Make it a daily or weekly habit. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
• Stay Calm: Take a few deep breaths before you start. Clear your mind to clear your space.

A clear mind before decluttering allows you to prioritize

Whether you live in a room, an apartment, a modest home or a mansion prioritize what is most important to you to declutter.

If you are looking to overall make a more peaceful environment start with the space(s) that causes you the most stress. Peaceful doesn't mean an expensively appointed, everything is perfect kind of room, it can mean a space that can breathe and is unencumbered by clutter.

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Let's use the rental storage units people have packed with things. Maybe your level of income changed and it has become a concern or hardship to pay for your storage rental unit.

Are you feeling powerless? Gain a sense of control by prioritizing decluttering your storage unit. This can be a win-win! If you sell or donate the goods in your storage space you not only stop paying rent on this unit you will also save the monthly fee, This will give you a good feeling, it may not solve all your problems, but it is a great beginning step.

If you have a clutter problem, if you suffer feelings of shame, nothing will begin to correct this until you engage in the physical activity of removing items from your living space.

A clear mind before decluttering sets you up for success

There are no magic bullets. If you have tried to make a dent in your decluttering tasks and have not found success yet do not give up—approach decluttering from another angle. Every single thing you do, I would argue, starts as a thought.

Those with tidy homes have put thought into getting and maintaining a clean and decluttered space. There is no reason you cannot do the same.

A clear mind and action get decluttering done

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One way to gain a sense of control is to take an action step. One little step. Taking action does not require a herculean effort. This can be as simple as picking up the first object your eyes land on and asking yourself if you need or want the object. If the answer starts as yes ask yourself 'why'. You have to be rigorously honest when answering these questions.

If you are ready to declutter your life my free 3 day Scavenger Hunt Challenge will get you on the right path!

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By concentrating on one item at a time you will be amazed at how good you feel. Rome wasn't built in a day and you did not go from clutter-free to cluttered overnight. Decluttering will take time. Treat this as a paying job and show up on time when you say you will. If you need to spend all day deciding about getting rid of or keeping an item this is ok.

If you have too much stuff you likely have a bunch of unnecessary items. This is what clutter is. After you go around with a trash bag collecting all the trash, candy wrappers, empty cans, old food, etc, pull out all the things you no longer need. Decided if they are trash or if the items can be donated or sold.

Clear your mind before decluttering for better decision-making

Everyone was not taught decision-making skills. Being a poor decision-maker adds more of a challenge to your decluttering task. The good news is you can still learn how to make better and faster decisions!

With practice, you will get the hang of it. Another cool thing is as you begin to see progress that will motivate you to want to keep going.

A part of what makes decision-making difficult for some is they find it difficult to let go of the past. I suggest you get some decluttering practice under your belt before you tackle the job of going through any sentimental items you may have.

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People more prone to living in the present moment are usually fast decision makers because they only consider the here and now.

I'm so excited about the positive impact the decluttering challenge has made in the participants daily lives that I want to invite everyone to join. It's a three-day challenge designed to help you clear both mental and physical clutter. You can join anytime it suits you, it is free and trust me, it works!

It's practical, it's effective, and it's a great way to kickstart your decluttering journey.

And finally...

Clear your mind because it feels better!

Your mental state is the foundation for how you go about any given for all the different areas of your life.

Decluttering isn't just about creating a pretty space, it's about creating a peaceful mind. So, if you've been feeling overwhelmed by your surroundings, take a deep breath, start small, and see the difference it makes. Clear your space, clear your mind—it’s worth it!

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

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