When you think about self-care, you probably think of bubble baths, massages, a good book, or a great cup of coffee. While those are all wonderful and enjoyable ways to pamper yourself, I would argue that true self-care goes a bit deeper.
True self-care is creating a life for yourself that you don’t have to escape from. True self-care is about doing things that protect your well-being, reduce stress, and support a happier healthier you. True self-care is therapy, self-growth, working on your communication and your relationships, creating necessary boundaries, taking care of yourself physically, finacially, and….decluttering. Self-care isn’t pampering, and it isn’t easy. It’s work. Creating a life you love takes a lot of intentionality and reflection, and it is worth every second of work you put in.
The Link Between Clutter and Mental Health
Research shows that clutter leads to feelings of anxiety, overhwhelm, shame, and depression. It’s widely known that therapy and exercise is a great way to combat these feelings, but decluttering your house is rarely talked about as a possible solution.
Visual clutter overwhelms the brain and lead to a constant fight or flight response. Causing a reduction in working memory, lack of focus, and decreased productivity.
And if you think that having these feelings of anxiety and overwhelm isn’t affecting your sex life, think again.
“Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.”
The Link Between Clutter and Physical Health
Studies have shown that clutter is correlated to poor eating habits. Partipants in a cluttered spaces eat more junk food, and in more quantity, than those in a tidy space. Those with cluttered homes are also more likely to be overweight.
On the contrarty, those with tidy homes tend to exercise more.
My Challenge To You
My challenge to you is this: pay attention.
Pay attention to how your body and mind feel when your home is out of order vs when its in order. Pay attention to the moments that you feel particuarly close to your kids or husband - what is the state of the room you’re in?
When you’re feeling a lack of patience, bitterness, resentfulness - look around you. Just observe. Then talk about what you’ve observed to your partner and/or a therapist.
Make a Change
It’s time. Here are a few fun ways to get started!
Call some girlfriends over, drink wine, declutter together. Next weekend, go to another friend’s house and repeat.
Start small. You don’t have to tackle the garage you can’t walk into. You can start with a drawer, a shelf, a cabinet.
Make it a game. Whoever fills their box first gets ice cream! Or try the miniamlism game.
Make it entertaining. Turn on the Home Edit, Marie Kondo, or listen to a decluttering podcast while you work.
Reward yourself. Celebrate your wins by doing something you enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Self-care is about showing up for yourself - not just in the fun and pampering ways, but in the practical ways that make your day to day life more enjoyable. Decluttering isn’t just about your home. It's about your mental health, your physical health, your time, your peace, and your relationships.
So next time you feel overwhelmed, try clearing off a surface instead of taking a bath. Chances are you’ll feel lighter and more energized. That is the magic of decluttering.
Hi, I’m Naomi!
Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.
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