Spring is officially here and with it comes Spring-cleaning!
We’re not talking about dusting the blinds and mopping under
the sofas. We’re talking about going through all of your “stuff” and de-cluttering
your life—something we all should be
doing. Excessive clutter can be symptomatic and even
a cause of stress; this can affect every facet of your life, from the amount of
time you need to get things done to your
finances and your overall enjoyment of life. Clutter can distract you, weigh
you down, and in general invite chaos into your life.
How to
go about it:
Let’s start with separating “stuff” into categories:
clothes, books and movies, kitchenware, miscellaneous.
Clothes:
Begin at your closet or dresser—easy, right? Remove
pieces one by one and separate into piles based on these three questions:
1.
Does this fit me?
a.
Yes. On to the next
question.
b.
No. Place it in the “no”
pile.
2.
Have I worn this in the
last 3 months?
a.
Yes. On to the next
question.
b.
No. Add it to the “no”
pile.
3.
Do I need this item?
a.
Yes. Keep it.
b.
No.
Put it in the “no” pile.
Now, we’re not suggesting that you get rid of every single item in your closet that
you don’t necessarily need. If the item in question is of good quality, hang on
to it., But that cheap sundress you bought last year to wear to a beach party which
you haven’t worn since? Toss it in the
donation pile.
Books
and Movies:
Getting rid of books and movies can be a sentimental issue.
Whether it’s a book you received as a child, or a favorite film on DVD that you
just can’t seem to get rid of, we’ve got you covered.
Try setting a number of books and movies you can allow
yourself to have. If you go over that number by buying new ones, you have to
get rid of ones to keep the number your previously set. Once you realize you
don’t need all of those heavy books, it’ll become second nature to only hold
onto a few!
Kitchenware:
This one’s simple. Hardly anyone really needs 13 coffee
mugs. If you can, minimize your kitchenware to whatever you use on a weekly
basis,making exceptions for a few holiday and entertainment items.
Miscellaneous:
If you find yourself with “extras” throughout your
Spring-cleaning process, try applying the previous questions to these
miscellaneous items as well. How often is it used or worn? Do you really
need it?
By devoting some time to getting rid of the
clutter in your life, you’ll reap the rewards of pleasant living areas, reduced stress, and a more
organized and productive existence.
Best of luck in your Spring-cleaning process!
