So where did we start? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We spoke with mental health and organizational experts about the correlation between clutter and anxiety. Pre-COVID-19, 5% of Canadians <\/a>reported high to extreme anxiety levels. As of early May, that number has quadrupled to 20%. And Canadians with kids at home<\/a> are 41% more likely to note feelings of anxiety. With 4.7 million Canadians who usually work in the office now adjusting to working from home, you may find career anxieties<\/a> and office clutter taking over your personal space. And more of us working from home is just one important reason to declutter! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting rid of clutter can impact your physical and emotional health. That feeling you have when you can\u2019t think straight and blame it on the ever-growing mess around you is absolutely valid. It\u2019s common to be overwhelmed when your home feels like a disorganized storage unit. Thankfully, decluttering can help ease stress. Lucy Milligan Wahl, owner of organizing company LMW Edits, has seen immediate effects on her clients\u2019 mental health after helping them declutter: \u201cI often see a literal physical change in the way they carry themselves, and even their facial expressions…one client even told me she felt like she\u2019d lost ten pounds!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a point where our clutter takes on a life of its own, personifying our inner anxieties and giving them a voice. When clutter begins to represent the pent up negativity in our lives, it\u2019s time to kick it out (last we\u2019ve checked, it\u2019s not paying rent). \u201cMy clients often tell me that they feel like their clutter has voices,\u201d Lucy tells us. She notes that \u201cby decluttering we\u2019re removing those voices and allowing the client to give their attention to the things…that really matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019re ready to reorganize, you\u2019re probably overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s a big project and we\u2019ve all been there. Here\u2019s how you can declutter your home in just five steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decluttering your home can be emotional, but once you\u2019ve finished, you\u2019ll feel amazing. Psychologist Dr. Loretta Breuning says successful decluttering triggers happy chemicals within our brains: \u201cWhen you set a decluttering goal and reach it, you stimulate your dopamine. You can set tiny decluttering goals daily and stimulate dopamine regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at all that clutter is stressful, so instead, look at a piece of paper or whiteboard first. Create a checklist of all the rooms you want to approach and a timeline for when you\u2019ll clear the clutter. Having a map to refer back to is beneficial to help keep you on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you used this item in the past six months? No? Then you\u2019re probably not going to use it any time soon. When we say \u201cthink minimalist,\u201d we mean to let go of items that you have no use for, rather than becoming a full-out minimalist (unless that\u2019s your goal). It\u2019s okay to admit to yourself that you have more things than you need. Getting rid of the items that you haven\u2019t touched in months is one of the most important steps to decluttering your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019ve identified which items are taking up space, it\u2019s time to get organized. The best way to organize your clutter is by utilizing a decluttering method. Five of our favourite methods include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The four box method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Classic and effective, the four box method never lets us down. Begin by distributing your clutter into four boxes labelled keep, throw away, donate and storage. After that, look to the label on each box to determine your next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The closet hanger method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Turn all the hangers in your closet so that the hooks are pointing towards you. Whenever you wear something, put it back onto the hanger and face the hook away. After three to six months, any hook still facing towards you is holding something that you don\u2019t wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The KonMarie Method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you use the KonMarie Method \u2014 a way to remove unwanted items using a method outlined by Japanese organizational guru Marie Kondo \u2014 you declutter by category rather than by location. Start with your clothes, books, papers and miscellaneous items, saving sentimental items for last. If an item no longer sparks joy, thank it for its service and get rid of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The minimalist game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With this method, the amount of items you declutter corresponds to the date. On the first day of the month, you get rid of one item. On the second day of the month, you get rid of two items. At the end of a 31-day month, you\u2019ll have gotten rid of a total of 496 items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The one-a-day method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to the minimalist game, but with a bit less intensity, the one-a-day method is essentially what it sounds like. Each day, you get rid of one item. You can plan to do this method over a month, a few months or even an entire year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve used one of the methods mentioned in the previous step, you probably have some giant boxes or trash bags full of items that need to be disposed of, moved to storage or donated. Rather than let those boxes sit in your trunk or garage for months at a time, mark a day on your calendar dedicated to officially getting rid of the clutter. You can\u2019t truly say you\u2019re done until the clutter is out of your life for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sit back, relax and enjoy your newly clean space. That dopamine you feel being released into your brain is congratulating you on a job well done. Decluttering your home is no easy task, but here you are in your clutter-free space. While you\u2019re celebrating your hard work, consider hanging up a printable to commemorate your success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frame this printable and set it on top of your home office desk. Every morning when you get ready to log in for work, you\u2019ll be greeted with a reminder of how much you\u2019ve accomplished with your last declutter project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Still feeling overwhelmed when thinking about decluttering your home? We understand the amount of time it takes to wrap your head around starting the process. Just as interior designer and advisory board member for Home Life Digest, Caitlyn Davidian, said, \u201cOur home is a space for us to flourish in, to personalize and to respect.\u201d So here are a few extra tips on working towards turning your home into your personal oasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy for us to get caught in a cycle of thinking, \u201cI can\u2019t get rid of this, it was expensive!\u201d But we also have to acknowledge that sometimes we buy expensive things that we never end up using. Cost aside, does this item have any personal value to you? If not, or if it\u2019s very little, it\u2019s best to put it in the \u201cdonate\u201d or \u201csell\u201d pile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Haven\u2019t worn that pair of pants in your closet in almost a year? Wondering why you have a plant mister and no plants? It\u2019s a sign. Donate them to someone who will put them to good use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Decluttering your home can be overwhelming. You might want to tackle the big items first, but it\u2019s better to start small and work your way up. Maybe you have collectible items but no collection to add them to. Or small decorative items that you don\u2019t like anymore. After you get rid of those, then you can move onto bigger items like the armchair you\u2019ve been trying to get rid of for a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When getting in the rhythm of decluttering, we can get a little too excited and end up moving too quickly. So before you permanently get rid of anything, sleep on it. If you toss and turn over that one sentimental gift you got from your grandmother that you accidentally put in the trash, you still have time to retrieve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flat surfaces are clutter magnets. Instead of leaving items on counters and tables, create sections within drawers and cabinets where your things can remain organized and easy to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you\u2019ve decluttered your home \u2014 now what? Well, with all this extra space, you\u2019re now able to successfully think things through without feeling the clutter make its way into your thoughts. Here are four things you can do with your clutter-free home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve cleaned up your space, now use it for good! Optimize your clutter-free home for sustainable living<\/a> by utilizing your free space to install a rainwater collection tank, insulating your walls and floors and even maximizing the amount of natural sunlight you get by creating larger south-facing windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A clean home makes it easier to have a clean mind. Take a moment to breathe \u2014 literally. Make use of your extra space by rolling out your yoga mat, assuming lotus position and breathing in fresh positivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those home maintenance tasks<\/a> you\u2019ve been putting off due to stress? Well, what better time to start them than now? Roll up your sleeves and address that leaky faucet, the squeaky door and that hole in your drywall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeah, it\u2019s obvious, but it\u2019s the hardest part! Keeping your decluttered home clean means putting things away every time. Not putting it on your counter and dealing with it later, but now. A clutter-free home is an ongoing project that requires declutter decisions every day. It may seem like a lot now, but once you get in the habit, your home will remain clutter-free 365 days of the year!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Should You Declutter Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/header_anxiety-levels-are-high-1024x551.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Declutter Your Home in 5 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"5](\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/header_5-simple-decluttering-methods-1024x2113.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Map It Out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Think Minimalist<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Get Organized<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Throw Out or Donate Your Clutter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Enjoy Your Clutter-Free Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"picture](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/suH0gYjKWm75ZHVeytq2o1bC8Zro0HOMupPDWeJQNCgumlxIZlPyXWewaTB9JbOLhxoIkIFUqTl3K9rDWrMXnva65mcUvLX-jFf1rzRFxJA8iAbMXcuTb4M97Lt-LUA_X-jalJ3f\")
5 Decluttering Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"clutter](\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/header_clutter-impacts-our-wellness-1024x468.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Don\u2019t Confuse Value With Cost<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. When Did You Last Use It?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Start Small<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Give It Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What to Do With Your Clutter-Free Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"were](\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/header_were-around-clutter-more-1024x468.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Sustainable Living<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Mindful Meditation<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Start Your Home Maintenance Project<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Keep It Clean<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nDownload Infographic<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhile minimalism isn\u2019t for everyone, a decluttered home is great for your mental health and overall well being. While adjusting to a work-from-home environment, we can make our lives easier and keep our anxieties minimal when the clutter in our homes isn\u2019t another added stressor. So grab your sorting boxes, tie up your hair and keep your vacuum cleaner nearby \u2014 it\u2019s time to get decluttering!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Stressed by mess? Here are tips to simplify your space, navigate the decluttering process, and maintain a clutter-free home. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15474,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-15470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-design"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15470"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20078,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15470\/revisions\/20078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15470"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=15470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/qh3uz8jtgxby8l1\/declutter_your_space_IG.png?dl=0\"){kind=link}