Become a Modern-Day Minimalist
Clutter can have a large impact on your mental and physical health. In fact, research has discovered that those who do not routinely purge of unnecessary clutter may suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, a disordered environment can negatively impact memory and concentration, increase the likelihood of illness and injury, and even lead to greater mental health symptoms like shame or isolation. This potential public health issue has even inspired shows such as Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, which focuses on clearing out and organizing personal space so that every material serves the purpose of “sparking joy.” Others, like the documentary Minimalism, have highlighted the movement to minimalization of homes and office spaces so that life is not tied to material things. RELATED: De-Clutter Your HomeThe good news is, with so much media and expert advice readily accessible, living a clutter-free life can actually be easier than you think. Here are a few tips to help get you started.
Avoid the all-day cleaning marathon.
Simply think one corner, room, or project at a time.
Be realistic about what you actually need.
When is the last time you have REALLY used that? Or wore that? I give myself a timeframe of 3-6 months for things like lotions, non-perishable foods, makeup etc. and 1-2 years for items such as clothing, dishware, crafts, etc.
Don't hang onto things for all the wrong reasons.
Does it serve a purpose? Is it truly sentimental? Do you have room for it?
Use the three-bin method.
Create toss and donate bins for what you don't need or want. Keep and organize what you do.
Take care of donations right away.
Many popular stores now have donation boxes and, for larger items, simply do a little research and have an organization pick it up for you.
Find a home for your things.
If it doesn’t have a place, it's likely that it isn't meant to be yours anymore.
Don't get yourself in the same mess all over again.
Set a routine cleaning, organizing, and purging schedule so you don’t have to stress this mess ever again. *Tips adapted from Forrent.com.
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– CASEY EDMONDS, CHC
Health Advisor | Email Casey
