By Kim Mendel, RD CDN
Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines declutter as “to remove clutter from a room, an area, etc.” The “etc” part can mean many things and decluttering can help you with many areas of your life. When our lives are cluttered with an excess of anything (such as clothes, papers, photos, kitchen supplies, gadgets, anything we have collected and saved through the years), these items can become a distraction, not just in the physical sense, but for our emotional well- being. When we walk around our homes searching for a bill to pay or a pair of pants to wear, and we cannot locate these items, maybe we have too many things or they are not organized in a way to find them in a timely manner. This can lead to rushing around, becoming upset or angry, missing a deadline, being late with a payment, or arriving late to an important event, all of which lead to stress and anxiety. Many of us hold on to things for sentimental reasons, and that’s okay. The way we organize and prioritize is how we declutter, and can help us to better navigate through our day and life in general.
When we begin to declutter, we can feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in that we have completed a task and have been successful. This overall feeling can affect your entire day, which in turn can set you up for a more positive week. In the long run, this benefits overall health in a positive way as we can be more organized and focused on what really matters most. Decluttering our living and workspaces can help with decision making, becoming more productive, saving money, and reducing stress. So, work on something that you can control, and declutter your life!
Here are some tips and ways on decluttering:
- Make a list of an area or areas in your home or office you would like to downsize/declutter.
- Focus on one project at a time, such as a closet, a drawer, workspace, an entire room, or a garage.
- Go through that pile of papers or mail you walk past every day. You can use folders or bins to organize the papers so in future months they don’t pile up. Shred what you don’t need.
- Go through clothes and donate items you haven’t worn in a at least a year.
- Have a garage sale.
- The act of washing dishes and laundry is not exciting, but having your dishes and clothes clean and put away is an act of decluttering. This can help you with preparing meals, eating healthier, finding your outfits faster, and getting on with your day.
- Help a friend or family member with a project in their home. This act of kindness is good for all involved.
- Treat yourself to something that can help you better organize after you declutter, such as a new bin or set of drawers to store things in. This does not have to be expensive.
- Remember that decluttering can save money. If you can’t find it, you can’t use it. Organize that area of your living or workspace, and find things you have been missing. This way you don’t have to re-purchase and waste money!
Kim Mendel is a Registered Dietician and Diabetes Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at km432@cornell.edu