Decluttering and Winning the Battle with Stuff!

My family and I have slightly different views on what decluttering means, and we all admit to being collectors of stuff! From email in-boxes to kitchen cupboards, wardrobes and the garden shed, this is the time of year when we feel like tackling the clutter in our lives - and with spring on the horizon it's definitely time for a purge!

"Letting go of stuff is even more important than adding." Marie Kondo

For most people, particularly with the new hybrid way of working, it's very hard to concentrate when there are piles of files, paperwork and other paraphernalia on or around your desk. And as many of us now work from home, it's not only the physical elements that need a good sort-out; other areas of the home or workplace can be tidied and organised, leading to a more stress-free way of living.

So, where to begin?

The act of decluttering and winning the battle with stuff helps us to confront our consumerist tendencies and examine the role of materialism in our lives. The decision to give items to charities, repurpose or bin things we have spent good money on, helps us be more mindful about what we choose to bring into our homes, and, in turn, helps us mentally by decluttering.

What helps with simple decluttering?

Labelling and decent-sized storage are key, but that's for when you've done the 'keep, charity, throw away' steps (otherwise you end up with empty boxes taking up more space in the home), and keeping an inventory on your computer or phone can really help speed things up when you're searching for something.

Not to say you have to list every little item that you own, but the items you spend most of your life looking for - it could be batteries, handbags or birthday cards. Ideally, find a specific safe place for everyday items, such as keys that you habitually use.

When starting an inventory, focus on the items that have you pulling your hair out because they are never where you left them, and that waste minutes of your day as you try to locate them. 

The age of digital clutter

Our phones and tablets are groaning under the weight of all the apps we've downloaded to make our lives easier, but to be honest, we don't use most of them. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start by deleting apps you haven't used in the past year, and focus on the essentials to streamline your digital life.

Expensive subscriptions and Social Media

If you've paid for an app or a TV streaming service that no longer inspires you, be sure to cancel it so it doesn't automatically renew. Have a look at all the platforms you are on and who you follow. Do these people inspire you? Do they make you laugh? Keep anyone who brings joy into your life, and then let the rest go. You can always find them if you really need to. 

Organisation at work

Time spent looking for files on your laptop or office shelves often comes to a grinding halt because of too many documents not stored systematically. We've all done it: working on something, then having to shut everything down quickly, and the next time we want a document, it's gone.

Taking an extra 30 seconds to file things away whether digital or paper will help speed everything up in the long run. Have a good scour through your digital files, and if you can, upload them elsewhere, such as a shared drive, so they're not kept on your own hardware. You will find much less of your life spent watching the spinning wheel of doom.

Decluttering and Relationships

As time goes on, decluttering relationships can be a form of self-care, helping you surround yourself with people who genuinely bring happiness and positivity into your life.

It is obviously something that takes more thought than throwing out a bag of very old peas you've found in the freezer, but it's the same principle…is it out of date? Do current friendships or acquaintances fill you with happiness and positivity? Do you dread their call or email that you must respond to?

If the people you are surrounded by don't praise your achievements or stand by your side when things turn sour (which they do for everyone at some point), then ask yourself whether it's a relationship worth keeping. If you're brave enough to approach them and explain why you feel uncomfortable in their presence, it's better for everyone, since they are most likely unaware of the effect they are having.

The relationships we have with our friends and families can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. When we are in a positive relationship with others, it can boost our mood and provide support during tough times, which, in turn, enhances our overall happiness. On the flip side, toxic and difficult relationships can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.

As a wise person once said, 'There are only seven days in the week, so fill them with people you love.

Finally, be sure to examine how you spend your time.

Are you cramming your calendar with events you don't need to attend, or going to meetings that don't benefit you being there? Some brilliant programmes help you prioritise what is important in your diary; often, they're colour-coded, and at a glance, you can see if you are taking part in something productive for your work or personal life. It takes a few moments to set up, but by following the steps, you can often get back at least half a day, just by evaluating whether you really need to be there.

The main thing with decluttering is not to get overwhelmed and to look forward to the freedom it brings. Establish simple routines, like tidying one area of your office, computer, phone or home for a few minutes daily, to maintain progress and prevent clutter from building up again.

Thanks for checking in - we welcome any comments.