A 2013 survey found that clutter was a major source of anxiety. Stuff – all the clutter in its various forms sneaks into the cabinets, closets, and office space. We even pay to stash away our excess in storage units. Design specialists know that simple, clean design has its purpose because clutter zaps our energy, knocks down our self-esteem, and creates distractions which all lead to stress.
It’s not an illusion. Clutter causes mental fatigue. A Princeton 2015 study found that more objects in your visual field of reference make it harder your the brain to function because it has to work hard to ignore it.
For starters, breaking free of stuff is about letting go of the emotional ties you have to it. Anything is fair game – pictures, statues, knicknacks, office equipment, kitchen appliances, clothes, etc. Decluttering is about reorganizing your life, emotions, and functional work space. Expert Japanese organizer, Marie Kondo, describes a simple decluttering method based on the notion: does it bring joy? If you answer yes, you keep the item. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it out. Simple, effective, and efficient. Don’t worry if tossing something out creates guilt. You are not leaving that person behind. He or she will always be a part of you, even when their things are not.
What if you are resisting aspirational clutter, and want to pass things down as part of your legacy? Then keep things that connect you to your purpose in work and at home. When you conquer chaos, you will feel more confident. A study from 2013 with the Association of Psychological Science found that people were:
- Twice as likely to reach for an apple over a candy bar
- Had a happier social and sex life
- Had more productivity
- Had more control (getting friends and family out the door faster is always a bonus)
In a clutter-free zone, you will be able catch your breath more often, think, and pay attention to what’s important in life. When you tidy up your space, you can transform your life.
Image Credit: KAAV Living
Source: Time, The New Mindfulness – 2018
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