Why should you declutter? Does all the clutter in your home really matter? How bad is it to have STUFF piled up in your home? How does decluttering improve your mental state? Get rid of clutter today for these 7 reasons.
At the start of each year, decluttering your space and home is a hot topic. You’re supposed to be a new person in the New Year, right? Maybe. There is a good reason that decluttering is such a hot topic.
There are many benefits to getting rid of clutter from your home, including mental, physical and emotional ones.
Here’s some great news! To create a clutter-free home, you don’t have to be an expert organizer or minimalist.
![How to declutter every space in your home](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/newscms/2020_14/1553579/declutter-your-home-today-main-200331.jpg)
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What is All This Stuff All About? What is All This Stuff?
You may have wondered how you got so much stuff. What’s in the kitchen drawer? And how many Legos is enough for one child?
Have you seen the piece of paper on which I wrote that note?
I’ve been there. To be honest, sometimes I still find myself in that place.
If we don’t create systems and routines for getting rid of clutter, it can easily accumulate in our homes. You have piles of mail on your desk that you need to sort through. There are also old clothes you haven’t worn for years but still look great.
It is easy to accumulate all your stuff, especially if you have small children in the house. All the stuff, including artwork, books, and toys. It can become out of hand.
If you’re like me, then it’s very easy to miss it. You may not notice it until you are looking for something and the piles of stuff become overwhelming.
As a homemaker and stay-at home mom, it’s one of my top priorities to set up systems and routines to keep our home clutter-free.
Decluttering your home has many benefits.
1. De-cluttering saves you time
How much time do spend cleaning your house each week or even every day? What if you could reduce that time by a significant amount? A lot even?
How long does it take you to locate something you’ve lost?
Cleaning up is easier when you have fewer things to clean, put away, or organize on a regular basis.
When things have a home, how much time will you save looking for them? You will spend less time searching for lost keys, phones or remote controls. Or, heaven forbid, that favorite toy.
It is important to get rid of clutter at home. This will help you avoid losing things. Since everything has a place. The reality is, things get lost (especially during a busy time with kids). If we don’t have as many things to divert our eyes or our attention, we can find the items much faster.
2. Decluttering creates a calmer home environment
I often think about how to create a calm environment at home. I am a stay-at home mom with two very active boys. Our life is far from calm. We all work better when our days begin and end with a fresh slate.
We have too many toys and the boys are less interested in them. They tend to dump all the stuff on the floor to play with for a while, then move on. Our home becomes a chaotic place.
I want my boys to be able to make messes, play, and laugh in our house. It’s all part of the fun (and joy) of being a child. When it comes to the end of the night, when I’m ready to relax, I also want my home to be an environment that allows me to do that. We need the space to recharge and create memories tomorrow.
3. Decluttering Creates Room for Hospitality
When I think about what kind of home I want to have, hospitality is a major factor. How welcoming is your home for those who live around you? Do not listen to me say that we need to keep our homes immaculate and deep-cleaned to welcome guests.
Even if the toys are scattered or the dishes from the day are still in our sink, I’m not afraid of a surprise knock at the door. To me, hospitality is about inviting people into your life. Even if it’s messy.
When we clutter our homes, we rob ourselves the joy of hospitality. It is stressful to put things away just to make SPACE for other people.
Why?
By removing clutter from our homes, we can create more room for other. We have more space in our living rooms. The space for a place to set a glass down while having a conversation. A space to play games and share meals.
4. Decluttering Reduces Stress
![Easy ways to declutter your home during lockdown](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/spring-cleaning-organizing-03.jpg?quality=75&strip=all)
I am much more sensitive now to clutter since having children and becoming a mom. I used to ignore piles of clutter, but now they seem to stare at me all day.
I get frustrated when I cannot find something I am looking for. I also find myself distracted by other things. I’m not as able to put together fun activities for my boys or play with them at the moment.
This frustration and stress often spills over to the way I treat those I live with.
5. Spend Less Money by Decluttering your Home
Decluttering your home saves you money. Have I got your attention? You may be reading this article and not fully convinced of the benefits that come with decluttering. Did you know decluttering your home can save you money as well?
Here are some ways to boost your finances by getting rid of clutter;
- You will buy fewer duplicates if you know what you have already at home.
- How many times did you need something that you KNOW you own, but couldn’t find? You always find the item after purchasing a new one. You now have two.
- Decluttering your house encourages you to purchase fewer items in general.
- After you have gotten rid of the excess, you will be able to see just how little you need in your house. This will help you to resist impulse purchases for items you do not really like.
- Sell items you no longer need to make money.
- The majority of things we find difficult to dispose of are items that are still in good condition or have a purpose.
- It is not important to ask if something is useful or not. The question is whether it is useful for me at this time or if it would be better used elsewhere.
- You can earn some extra money by listing items that are still in good condition but are not used.
6. Decluttering Encourages Gratitude
Decluttering also encourages gratitude. I find it incredible how many things we have at home. When I step back to look at everything, I am incredibly grateful. We have far more than we could ever need, and certainly more than most others.
We find the things we love when we declutter. When you use and see these items in your home, take a moment to express gratitude.
7. Decluttering Helps Teach Children Responsibility
Decluttering can also help teach your children about responsibility. Who wouldn’t want children who are helpful and responsible?
When our homes are cluttered, it is hard for kids to learn to care for their belongings. It can be difficult to keep track of all the toys when there are too many.
Eliminating clutter will simplify your systems and organize your home, and you can involve children in household chores.
Simple bins or systems of toy organization can help children identify WHERE to put their toys. Children can learn to tidy up their toys by following a simple routine.
We are constantly working to improve this in our household. I hope that my boys will learn to take care of the home and its things, so that they can contribute to our family’s housework, and also empower them to become good stewards one day of their own home and possessions.