There are big benefits when you declutter for your mental wellbeing.  When it comes to decluttering your physical space you will have less to clean, less distractions, and more than likely, you will have less mental strain. 

Which is likely to result in more mental energy to do the things you really want to do.  Living a more minimalist lifestyle by decluttering sounds aesthetically pleasing.  But the reality is, people tend to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and don’t know where to begin. The idea of owning less doesn’t have to be hard, unrealistic, or daunting.   

 Declutter for your Mental Wellbeing

Learning how to declutter your home is also learning how to declutter your life. Decluttering is a great way to practice self-care and it makes for a productive quarantine activity in a potential winter lockdown. In these Covid times there are even fewer things we have control over but our home, our physical space, is one of them. Your home can feel like a prison or your safe place. So in making the choice to prioritize these needs you are making your home a source of joy . 

With these tips, even if you are a newbie you can learn how to declutter for mental wellbeing. 

Transition Away from Toxic Products

If you are decluttering, then this is also a great time to start slimming down your collection of products by tossing out the ones with toxic ingredients. There is a direct link between the products we expose ourselves to and our mental and physical wellbeing.

An article written by National Women’s Health Network,

 On average, women use 12 products containing 168 unique ingredients every day. Men, on the other hand, use 6 products daily with 85 unique ingredients according to the Environmental Working Group. Their study shows that some of the chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products have been linked to health problems, including cancer and infertility.  Hundreds of chemicals including, phthalates, formaldehyde and lead have been discovered in cosmetic and personal care products. –Harmful Chemicals in Personal Care and Cosmetic Products Lead to Negative Health Outcomes for Women 

More unsettling news if you’re a Black Woman, you are likely being exposed to even more deadly products. An assessment done by the Environment Working Group  reported that almost 1,200 products marketed specifically to Black women and concluded that fewer products made without hazardous ingredients are available for this group. According to market data, Black women buy and use more personal care products than other demographic groups.

As a Black consumer, I am mindful of where I put my money. As an educated consumer, I support companies and Black-owned businesses that provide quality, natural, clean and safe products.

Decluttering for mental wellbeing can start in your bathroom cabinets, makeup bag, and skincare collection. 

Its a Marathon not a Sprint

When it comes to decluttering, are you unsure of how or where to start?

Then begin with just a few minutes each day dedicated to one small task, or take it one room at a time. It’s easier and much more manageable to start slow with one or two mini goals and tasks. You avoid biting off more than you can chew and won’t be left with the aftermath of a messy half completed task. 

Begin With Your Most Dreaded Task

Pro tip: start with that hard task, the one you dread the most. Once you get that completed and conquered your confidence will soar. Maybe you’ll even start to enjoy decluttering once you see how quickly and easily you can turn chaos into comfort.  

For some people, their closets can become a thing of nightmares, oh is that just me?  If looking at your disarrayed, overstuffed, and underutilized closet can send you right back under the covers then it’s time to act. 

The easiest way to declutter a closet is to first declutter your clothing by type. That means start with shoes, then boots, then dresses, then denim, etc. It’s much easier to decide to toss or keep a pair of jeans if you’re looking at your entire collection of jeans at once. So start pulling out, sorting different types of clothing, and decide what you’ll toss and keep.

You should end up with around four piles to deal with: 

1. Items that need a new home or to be put back in their homes. Put away anything that was simply in the wrong spot or find a better way of storing it. 
2. A laundry pile that contains items that are dirty or of questionable cleanliness. This can also include items that need extra attention that will head to the dry cleaners or tailor.
3. Items to drop off at donation centers or consignments. This is usually my biggest pile.  I separate it even further by items  to be dropped off to Goodwill or given to H&M’s garment collection (they give you a 15% coupon for donated materials).  A pile to be given away to a friend that I might love the items that I no longer have a need for, outgrown, or simply have never worn. 
4. Items to sell. Postmark is a great app to sell your new, and gently used items. It’s  possible to make a nice chunk of change from selling the stuff just taking up space.

If you’re the type to struggle when it comes to making these decisions, ask yourself when the last time you used it was. If you haven’t used something you come across in the last six months, that’s a good sign you should probably get rid of it.  And if you didn’t even know you still had it in the first place then you should definitely get rid of it. Also, if you’re holding onto a piece of clothing because you aspire to one day look a certain way before wearing it, then either start wearing it with the body you currently have or get rid of it.

 Fill your closet with clothing that fits you, your body and the life you have right now. Sell, donate, or gift whatever still has life left in it but just doesn’t fit your life.

Start From Scratch or Start Again

Sometimes it is easier just to start from scratch, especially if you are getting a new home. If moving isn’t in your immediate future, use this time to prep and plan or you can start now and start even slower. 

Unless inaction is severely affecting your mental wellbeing, decluttering should be done when it adds to your life, not when it could potentially create more confusion. That is why I recommend starting the decluttering process well before you have a moving in date.

This will save you time by not having to sort through this in your new home. You will be able to focus on unpacking, decorating and making your space a home. You won’t waste time and energy bringing and dealing with more than you need.

This is also a great money saving tip, decluttering before you move will save you time, energy, and money when you go to hire your moving company! Fresh Start – The Moving Crew is a packing and moving service in Worcester and while they already offer very great competitive rates, decluttering before they help you with the big move will save you hassle and more money in the long run! Fresh Start pride themselves on their outstanding customer service and take special care when it comes to packing all of your most delicate and sentimental items. 

“We respect every aspect of every customer, from your home to your family to your precious heirlooms. Fresh Start – The Moving Crew abides by all of the rules set forth to protect the consumer and pledges to offer its patrons a reliable crew that arrives at every job prepared for any instance related to its field of expertise. We want to provide the safest experience possible, whether it’s a residential move in Providence, RI removal in Worcester, MA. Our flexible packing solutions are designed to fit your budget and needs. From do-it-yourself packing to door-to-door packing, loading, and unloading services, our team is there throughout your move to provide you with expert advice and answer all of your questions.”- Fresh Start

This winter makes decluttering a priority for your mental wellbeing, your physical self-care, and a priority BEFORE you move. 

I hope these tips helped you! If you are searching for more inspo, I also have a few more tips on how to declutter your life.

With Love,

Dani