Clutter is allowing stuff to pile up around you so that your living space is messy and dirty. But it’s not just about messiness and cleanliness. Clutter is also filling up the space in which you live with so much stuff that there is no sense of openness and spaciousness.
The word ‘clutter’ comes the word “clotern.” It was originally used to describe a type of blockage or clot that formed by heaping things on top of each other. Over time, the word evolved into clutter which means ‘to collect in heaps and crowd together in disorder.’
The truth is you can have so many possessions, so much stuff that it can interfere with the quality of your life. Clutter can create tension and stress. It can heighten the tension and stress you are already feeling.
The space in which you live has an impact on mental and emotional well-being. Recent neuroscience studies are confirming this, but it is something we have known for a long time. For example, places of worship are often called sacred spaces. That sacredness is confirmed when you walk into them. Everything about the space—its design and its objects—has the goal of evoking a sense of the spiritual. Many people set aside a space in their house for mindfulness and meditation practices. Most of these spaces are simple and unadorned. It is like the physical space is opening up room for mental and spiritual space.
The impact of cluttered space is something that you can feel. My wife enjoys looking through magazines that have a section on home décor. Sometimes, she will show me a picture of a living room or bedroom that, according to the editor, is beautifully decorated. But when we look at the room, every space is occupied with a piece of furniture or an accessory. We talk about how uncomfortable it would be to sit or try to sleep in that space. One person’s beautiful décor is another person’s cluttered stuff.
Space is not just something you walk around in. It is the place where you live, and it can contribute to your well-being. Imagine coming home after a busy day at work or out running errands. You walk through the door. Stop for a moment and look around. What do you feel? Is it just another space you walk into? Does it feel inviting and welcoming? Does it feel warm and comforting? If your house or a room in your house is cluttered, does it feel different to walk into that space?
You can ease the stress in your life by decluttering your space—your house, your work area, your car.
This decluttering doesn’t have to involve a complete makeover of your space. Start by looking around and being mindful of some simple changes you can make.
It can be as simple as making the bed every morning when you get up. Try it and see what it feels like to walk into your bedroom with a made bed.
When you leave a room, take things that are not part of the room and put them away. Take any dishes that you have brought with you while you watch TV. Straighten the magazines on the table or the pillows on the couch.
As you go to bed, do a simple tidying up routine. Don’t take on some major cleaning task. Push the chairs back under the table, put your shoes away, or hand up your clothes.
Paper is a big source of clutter.
Don’t let unopened mail pile up. When you take it from the mailbox, do something with it. Put bills in a place reserved for them. Put correspondence from family or friends in another place. If there is ‘junk mail,’ don’t tell yourself you’ll go through it later. Go ahead and throw it away. Sometimes it is important to keep records, but do you really need a hard copy of every monthly bill for the last several years?
The very intent reason you store something is because you know that you don’t use it that much. So, stop for a moment and make a decision to let it go.
Be aware of accepting freebies.
Unless you are excited about it or can see an immediate use for it, don’t accept it. A coffee mug, hand-me-down toys or clothes. A piece of furniture or an accessory from a relative. If you don’t need it, then don’t take it.
One final word. Do not do these decluttering moves from a place of duty or obsession. Be mindful of the space you are creating as you declutter. Take a moment to enjoy this space that you have made for yourself.
You can learn more about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) by visiting my stress reduction specialty page.