Stress Less: Decluttering as a Form of Self-Care
Discover how decluttering your home can reduce stress, improve mental health, and become your new favorite self-care practice.
The Psychology Behind Decluttering for Self-Care
Do you love getting away and enjoying a vacation in a hotel or Airbnb? You are not alone! There’s real psychology behind self-care – and it often involves less stuff and less clutter. Research shows that a decluttered environment promotes relaxation, enhances focus, and can significantly decrease stress levels.
When you look around your house, has the thought ever occurred to you: “Wow, I have too much stuff!” Again, you are one of so many people in the United States who have had this exact realization. Getting rid of clutter could help you reduce stress, be more productive, and enjoy more mental health benefits.
How Decluttering Transforms Self-Care
What does self-care have to do with organizing and decluttering for mental health? Everything! Less stuff equals less stress – when you have fewer possessions to manage, you have less time spent taking care of them, which creates more time for true self-care.
When we make room for the things in life that we enjoy the most, that is authentic self-care. When we love our home and space and want to come home and truly relax – and are actually able to – that is decluttering as self-care!
I don’t have a degree in psychiatry or psychology, but I have experienced this stress reduction through decluttering firsthand. That’s why I love helping people create decluttered, organized spaces that support their mental health and wellbeing.
The Mental Health Benefits of Minimalist Living
I am currently booking our trip to Ireland, and when I look at accommodation pictures, I don’t like the Airbnbs that are full of things. I prefer a minimalist simple look over maximalist design. My brain can truly relax when I have fewer things around me and only the essentials within view.
This preference isn’t just personal taste – it’s backed by science. Studies show that decluttering your space creates a more calming environment that can improve your overall mood and decrease stress and anxiety.
Why Decluttering Reduces Stress and Anxiety
So why exactly is it self-care to declutter and organize? A decluttered space equals less visual stress, which naturally helps us relax more deeply. I’m sure you know that amazing feeling when a space is clutter-free and organized – you sit down and can finally relax with a book or find the creativity for that project you’ve been wanting to tackle for months!
Multiple studies demonstrate how organizing your environment can boost your mood and productivity while reducing stress and anxiety. When your physical space is calm, your mind follows suit.
How to Start Your Decluttering Journey: Small Steps, Big Impact
It’s all fine and good to understand the “why,” but how do we start decluttering for better mental health? The secret is starting small with decluttering.
Your 15-Minute Daily Decluttering Routine
Choose 15 to 30 minutes a day and start with something small like a bathroom vanity drawer. Here’s your simple decluttering process:
- Get rid of trash and obvious junk
- Throw out expired items (makeup, medications, toiletries)
- Donate items you don’t use anymore
- Organize what remains by grouping like items together
Building Your Decluttering Skills
I realize home organization tips are easier said than done, so get someone to help you who is actually helpful – someone who doesn’t encourage you to keep everything OR get rid of everything! You need a balanced perspective.
Then build your decluttering muscles. It takes time to get good at discarding and donating things you no longer need, but you can definitely develop this self-care practice!
Making Decluttering a Sustainable Self-Care Habit
I walk around my house daily, and every few weeks I find a space that needs organizing and decluttering. Then I go through that space systematically, donating and discarding items we don’t use anymore. This ongoing practice keeps my home – and my mental state – peaceful.
Decluttering for stress relief isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing self-care routine that pays dividends in mental clarity and emotional wellbeing.
Start Your Self-Care Decluttering Journey Today
Ready to experience the mental health benefits of decluttering for yourself? I encourage you to begin your journey with just one small space today. Remember, this isn’t about perfection – it’s about creating a home environment that supports your mental health and allows you to truly relax.
Decluttering as a form of self-care is one of the most powerful tools you can use to reduce stress and improve your daily quality of life. Start small, be patient with yourself, and let me know how your journey is going!
Ready to transform your home into a stress-free sanctuary? Contact OrderAndMore.com for professional decluttering services and personalized home organization solutions that support your mental health and wellbeing.
