Declutter your brain, by first decluttering your space.

Decluttering and cleaning are different

To declutter is different from cleaning. While equally therapeutic, cleaning focuses on removing dirt, dust, and an overall mess. Decluttering is all about stuff – letting go of and getting rid of the things taking up room in our spaces (homes, offices, cars, etc.) And it generally refers to removing the items that no longer serve us. This makes sense to most of us because we've all had that experience of decluttering a work or desk space and suddenly being able to focus better and be more productive. Less stuff in our space is less stuff to weigh us down, less stuff to get messy, and less stuff to distract us. While this is a very practical explanation, decluttering also gets to be an experience about releasing what is weighing us down and making space in our lives for the goodness to come. We cannot move a new couch in without removing the old one – literally and figuratively.

7 Benefits of Decluttering

Reduced stress

A cluttered environment immediately triggers me to feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. Decluttering can create a more organized and peaceful space, reducing stress levels (especially for those now working at home full-time.)

Increased productivity

A clutter-free workspace is, of course, going to improve your focus and help you concentrate better(leading to increased productivity).

Better sleep

Did you know cluttered bedrooms can interfere with sleep quality? Any high achiever will tell you how difficult it can be to relax. In a cluttered space, it’s almost impossible. By decluttering the bedroom, we create a more calming environment, resulting in better sleep.

Improved mood

Decluttering can improve overall mood and mental health. But once you have decluttered, being surrounded by items that serve you or bring you joy is also a great energy in any space. A clean and organized space can create that sense of calm we'd all like a bit more of in our day.

Increased motivation

A cluttered environment can make it challenging to get motivated to do anything(including decluttering.) But by creating physical space around us, we can create a more inspiring and motivating space. A self-fulfilling prophecy.

Healthier eating habits

A clutter-free kitchen makes preparing healthy meals and making healthier food choices easier. It also makes the kitchen a more inviting space that might spark some cooking creativity.

Improved relationships

A cluttered environment can cause tension in relationships. When you only have items that serve or bring joy, it becomes harder to create a mess. A decluttered, clean, and organized space feels more harmonious – thus creating more harmony for the people living there.

Hopefully, you have seven more reasons to test your decluttering skills. But as someone who has tried, tried, and tried again – here are some tips for your own decluttering journey.

Written by: Chelsea Haines, Executive Contributor (Brainz. Magazine)