In the realm of wellbeing, it is known that your physical space can reflect your mental space. I know that for me personally, when life becomes busy or stressful there doesn’t seem to be enough time to run the vacuum round or put the washing away. A messy space manifests around me, reflecting how I’m feeling. However, using this psychology to our advantage means that cleaning our spaces and keeping them organised or declutterred can help our feeling of wellbeing and keep us clear of mind and happy. 

There is research behind why we feel so much better removing regretted purchases at the back of the wardrobe, or the bits that have found a home on our shelves that should really be regifted or recycled. Forbes magazine discussed one study which showed that women who think their home is cluttered are more likely to experience symptoms of tiredness and depression. It goes on to explain that this is due to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as we feel less in control of our surroundings. 

So, the first thing to point out is that when you are decluttering your space, you are decluttering your mind by giving it less to think about. This can be made simpler by decluttering over a longer period of time. First, remove items from your space which you no longer appreciate, use or which hinder your intentions and put them in storage for a couple of weeks. When you return to them you can see with better clarity those pieces that you missed and those which you did not need. I say this from experience, as I have found that after decluttering your space once, you can return to it and still manage to get rid of things which you did not see to start with, making way for peace of mind. 

The second thing to point out is that by having a cluttered environment with items which do not serve a purpose, your focus can be taken away from the items which have sentiment or meaning. By clearing some of the clutter, you can make space for items which help you achieve your goals. Instead of that bean bag which wasn’t the material you thought it would be, you could buy the walking machine you have been looking at, and not only are you clearing your space, but you are streamlining it to fit in with your intentions and goals. 

Lastly, there is a sense of renewal and change when recycling items and changing them up. It is giving your space a refresh and starting again, and it does not need to be costly or wasteful! By shopping second hand and thrifting at charity shops, you are reducing your consumption, saving yourself money, finding bargains and helping others in need. So, look around you – will you ever read that book, and are you really going to wear those heels? 

Feature photo credit: Unsplash