less is more: how decluttering your home can improve your mood
Less is More: How Decluttering Your Home Can Improve Your Mood
By: Marissa Pollet
There’s a powerful connection between our environment and mental well-being. Many of us may not realize it, but a cluttered space can directly impact our mood, increase feelings of stress, and contribute to anxiety. Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things; it’s about creating a space that feels good to live in. If you've ever noticed a sense of calm after cleaning your room or organizing a closet, you’ve already experienced some of the mental benefits. Here’s a look at how decluttering can uplift your mood, reduce anxiety, and help you embrace the notion of “less is more.”
Why Clutter Increases Stress
Cluttered spaces can lead you to feel overwhelmed. When we’re surrounded by piles of things, our minds feel like they have a lot to process, and creates a viscous cycle. Here are a few reasons why clutter adds to stress and anxiety:
Visual Overload: Too many items in our line of sight can overstimulate our brains, making it hard to focus and creating mental clutter. For example, a sink full of dirty dishes can feel overwhelming and urgent but can at the same time make us feel mentally cluttered with other pressing tasks as well.
Disorganization: When items don’t have a designated place, it’s easy to misplace things, adding frustration and a sense of chaos to daily life. The phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place” comes to mind and makes sense when trying to create a sense of organization in the home.
Delayed Decisions: Clutter often represents things we haven’t dealt with—unread mail, clothes we haven’t put away, or projects we haven’t finished. These unresolved decisions pile up and weigh on us. When we see these unfinished tasks pile up, it creates a sense of mental frustration and self-criticism which can definitely have a negative effect on your well-being.
Benefits of Decluttering on Mood and Anxiety
1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Decluttering helps your brain relax. It creates a sense of order, which can make you feel more grounded and in control. The tasks do not to be large projects either, simply emptying your dishwasher or folding one basket of laundry can help you to feel accomplished. A few tasks each day will also promote consistency and keep things from piling up and getting out of control.
2. Improved Focus and Productivity
When your space is organized, you’re less likely to get distracted. Your mind can focus on what’s important without being drawn to the clutter around you. Keep the areas you are more prone to living in free of excessive clutter. It will be way easier to sit and relax on the sofa when you feel that your living room is in order.
3. Enhanced Sense of Accomplishment
Seeing a room transform from messy to organized can give an instant mood boost. Each small victory (a clean drawer, an organized closet) adds to a sense of achievement.
4. Better Sleep
A decluttered bedroom can contribute to better sleep quality. A restful space that feels clean and organized signals to your mind that it’s time to relax. Something as simple as making your bed each morning will also go a long way to creating a more relaxing environment.
The Power of Donating: Giving as a Mood Booster
Decluttering isn’t just about what you let go of—it’s about where those items go. Donating your unwanted or unused belongings is a way to lighten your load while helping others. Here’s why donating feels so good:
Boosts Self-Esteem: When you donate items, you’re contributing to a greater cause. Knowing that your items will help someone else adds a sense of purpose and meaning to the process. A great way to promote this is to encourage children to be a part of the giving process as well. Select some items together and explain how wonderful it is to help other children who have less is amazing lesson to teach as a parent.
Creates a Positive Cycle: Decluttering helps you feel lighter, and giving those items to someone who needs them brings added joy. It’s a win-win situation.
Tips for Decluttering with Mental Health in Mind
To get the most out of decluttering, it’s important to do it in a way that’s manageable and doesn’t add stress. Here are some tips:
Start Small: Don’t feel like you need to tackle your entire house in a day. Begin with a drawer or a small area, and take it one space at a time. Take note of your accomplishment and do your best to ensure your work doesn’t resort back to old ways.
Set Goals: Choose realistic goals for each decluttering session. For example, decide to sort through your clothing or kitchenware in one day. Make sure the goals are able to accomplished in the time you have designated.
Make it a Habit: Decluttering doesn’t have to be a one-time project. Set aside a small amount of time each week to keep things organized.
Focus on What Brings Joy: Ask yourself if each item you keep brings joy or serves a clear purpose. This approach can help prevent over-accumulation in the future.
A Little Space for a Lot of Peace
Decluttering is a simple but powerful act of self-care. By creating an environment that’s calm and organized, you’re setting the stage for a mind that feels the same way. The benefits of a clutter-free space extend far beyond aesthetics, improving mood, reducing anxiety. As you donate items, you’re passing on that positivity to others, making a difference one small step at a time. Embrace the power of less and watch how it brings more peace to your life.
Our team of caring professionals at Inspired Wellness are here to provide support and guidance towards your path of mental wellness. We believe that every individual has the ability to be the best version of themselves and our goal is to set you up with the tools to maintain a well-balanced life that will place you on the path towards lifelong change. We strive to create a non-judgmental environment coupled with therapeutic practices that are tailored towards each individual. At Inspired Wellness our team aims to do exactly as our name says, inspire you towards a beautiful life of strength and wellness!