Does it bring you joy? The benefits of decluttering and re-organising your space

It is common for clutter to build up around us as we go through life. So many of us have been there, with no energy or time to sort through possessions, which eventually leads to an accumulation of disorganised mess.

While the home is considered a comfortable sanctuary where we can unwind, being surrounded by clutter can make us more stressed. If you think there's too much going on in your space, such as having items you don't use or no longer need lying about, then it might be time for a good old decluttering...

Tidy house, tidy mind.

There are many benefits to having a less cluttered home. It is easier to clean and less prone to mould or dust, which could trigger allergies, and all items have their place - so you know exactly where everything is. Having an organised home can even push us into making healthier lifestyle choices, such as avoiding junk food, which, as research has shown, is more likely when one has a tidy and appealing kitchen to cook in.

Decluttering your space may seem daunting, but studies have suggested that having a clean, organised home will mirror your state of mind. One study found that people who described their homes as cluttered had higher levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – and were more prone to depression than their counterparts. In addition, stress can subconsciously act on the brain, causing a person’s sleep to be less restorative.

You could be thinking, what about maximalists who love having things? Well, there is a difference between clutter and maximalism... As the author of the bestselling The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo, says, if it doesn't spark joy, then you don't need it. Initially, it is not easy to let go of items with sentimental value, but as we learn through Kondo’s KonMari method, A home filled with meaningful items - items that bring joy, is not the same as a home amassed with disorganised clutter.

However, an important distinction needs to be made between tidying and decluttering, as the latter implies reducing mess by removing some of it permanently. Throwing things away to reduce clutter can be very tricky for people who live with hoarding disorders, but hoarding can be addressed through therapy and various mindfulness techniques to detach emotion from objects.

Decluttering and organising your belongings is a skill, just like any other, that needs to be worked on. It can be tricky to find the motivation to get started on tackling a pile of items that have been growing, but don't be discouraged! We have listed some ways you can go about tidying that will make the process easier - even rewarding…

Where and how to start:

Try the KonMari method:

Organisation expert Marie Kondo suggests we try tackling clutter category-by-category rather than room-by-room. As mentioned before, the KonMari method aims to fill your home with meaningful items that spark joy, turning it into a stress-free and relaxing environment.

This approach has five categories; clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items. First, put everything you are decluttering in a pile and go through item by item, asking yourself if it sparks joy. After going through each category, you'll be left with fewer items that can be returned to their place. For this method to work, you must finish one category fully before moving to the next.

You can read more about Kondo’s methods from any of her books, or her Netflix shows Tidying Up with Marie Kondo - she even has advice on how best to fold and store clothing which you can find on YouTube!

Start small:

The secret to a successful declutter is to start small and build on your progress. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and tackle small portions at a time. This can look different for everyone, whether it is just organising a drawer, the pantry or a whole room – be proud of any progress you make and keep at it until you have finished.

BOX COPY: Your body helps by producing dopamine when completing a tidy, giving you a rush of happiness that can incentivise you to keep going!

Re-order items efficiently:

Keep the items you use often in lower cabinets and less frequented items in harder-to-reach places. For example, in your wardrobes, the higher space can be reserved for storing out-of-season clothes, while in the kitchen, the higher cabinets can be used to store equipment or tableware only for certain occasions.

To-do list:

Write a to-do list for motivation and to keep track of what you have done. Pinpoint the areas that need the most work and break them down into manageable tasks that you can tick off when you're done. As a bonus, ticking things off a to-do list gives us dopamine too!

Create incentives:

Another great way to motivate yourself to declutter is by holding off on doing fun hobbies or events - this way, activities become a reward for finishing the section you're working on and incentivise you to keep going.

Take progress pictures:

Seeing a before and after of your decluttered sections can motivate you to keep pushing through, much like gym progress pictures motivate a person on their fitness journey.

Don’t turn it into a painful process:

Decluttering doesn’t equate minimalism (unless you want it to). If an item brings about happiness, then keep it! There is no need to ruthlessly cull your belongings left and right without considering your feelings.

The goal of decluttering and tidying your home is to end up with a comforting and personal space. By letting go of items that are just taking up space, you're able to surround yourself with meaningful objects that have a positive influence on us. They remind us of loved ones and good experiences and can even fuel our motivation, inspiration and creativity. Less mess means less stress, decluttering is something we should all practise for a healthier mind and lifestyle.