Get Happy by Clearing Clutter

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated worldwide every March 20, which also happens to be the first day of spring this year.

What can you do today to improve your happiness? How about making today the day you commit to clearing clutter in your home?

Clear the clutter, find happiness

I’m a firm believer that less mess equals less stress and that can lead to a happier, healthier home. Studies have shown that not only does an uncluttered home reduce stress and increase happiness, it can also improve your relationships and even your eating and exercise habits.

Clearing clutter doesn’t mean throwing everything out. It means figuring out what’s important – and what’s not – at this point in your life.

Can’t bear to part with memorabilia from your world travels? Then don’t. Got boxes of hobby stuff from hobbies you used to enjoy, but no longer do? Pass them on to someone who will really appreciate them. Offer them in your local Freecycle.org community or Buy Nothing group on Facebook.

To keep or toss?

Make the decision to free yourself from the bits and pieces of your life that are no longer meaningful – and maybe never were. That includes gifts and things you may have inherited. Just because they ended up in your possession doesn’t mean you have to be their keeper forever.

Give yourself permission to let go of anything you no longer love or use. If it takes more than 60 seconds to decide if you should keep something, it’s probably not that important to you.

How much is enough? When you reach a point when you feel that you have everything you need and nothing you don’t want, that’s the right amount of stuff for you.

Simple tips for clearing clutter one day at a time

There’s no time like the present to get started on creating a happier home. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project says: What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

With that in mind, here are some simple everyday tips for clearing clutter.

Make time to declutter. Spending just 15 minutes a day adds up to 7 hours a month. You can do a lot of decluttering in 7 hours.

Develop the habit. Get into the habit of decluttering by linking it to something you always do. For example, after you eat dinner, empty a drawer and put back only the things you love and/or use. Or grab a bag and toss in 10 things that are just taking up space in your home. When the bag is full, donate it.

Do it now. When you see somethings that needs to be picked up and put away, take a few minutes to do it now rather than later. Your future self will thank you.

Act like an organized person. Who do you know whose home always looks the way you want your home to look? Next time you are about to toss something on your kitchen counter or table, ask yourself: What would [name of that person] do? The more you act like an organized person, the more organized you’ll become.

Get help. If you are struggling to clear clutter from your home, join my free organizing support group on Facebook. This is a private group where you can ask questions and get answers and be inspired to declutter, organize, and simplify your life.

As you’re clearing clutter from your home, think twice before bringing in new items. Being more intentional about what you buy is the easiest way to keep future clutter at bay. It also frees up funds that can be diverted to your bank account or toward doing something you’ve always wanted to do. I don’t know about you, but that makes me happy!

 

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