From Chaos to Calm: Why Decluttering is a Gift to Yourself and Your Family
Declutter home. How often do we think of decluttering as simply “cleaning up” a messy or untidy space? But the more I think about it, the more I realize an uncluttered home is so much more than that. The condition of our home influences how we feel, how we interact with our families, and how we think. A cluttered space creates a cluttered mind. A tidy, intentional home gives us the peace and grounding we need to function effectively in the world. Therefore, decluttering isn’t just about tidiness—it’s about self-care, family care, and creating a true sense of home, wherever we are.
Today we start Part 4 of the Esteemable Acts® Vision and Values Series titled, Home Improvement. Download your Home Improvement Worksheet and start journaling.
Decluttering is an Act of Self-Care & Family Care
When life gets busy, home can either show up as a safe harbor or an unwelcome stressor. A cluttered home pulls us away from rest and connection. It’s a distraction. By choosing to declutter our personal space—declutter home—we create a clearing. It’s not just cleaning out closets, clearing off shelves, and emptying car trunks, we’re caring for our mental health. We’re also modeling for our families what it looks like to value peace over chaos. Having a declutter home mindset is a way of telling yourself and those you love that they matter. A mindset that says we all deserve to live in a space that feels good, calm, and free from clutter.
Declutter Home. Messy Space—Messy Mind.
Studies show that clutter can raise our stress level. It’s hard to relax and focus when you sit down to a messy desk or table. It’s even hard to relax when you walk into your kitchen and see a pile of dishes in the sink. Clutter creates “mental noise.” Like it or not, our brains are always on high alert when we are confronted with a pile of mess in what’s arguably our safe space. Conversely, a tidy environment provides us with an opportunity to breathe. We can think more clearly.
Time Wasted Searching for Lost Things
A cluttered personal space doesn’t just cost us peace of mind; it’s a time waster. On average, many of us spend hours looking for misplaced items e.g., keys, paperwork, glasses, device chargers. Multiply that by a month or a year and you’ve lost days of your life searching for misplaced items. Also, think about how often you purchase something you already own but couldn’t find. While the financial cost may be hidden, it does add up. Imagine what you could do with that extra time and money.
Declutter Home. A Benefit to Everyone.
Sometimes the clutter comes from excessive noise and tension. A home filled with arguments creates a space where no one can thrive. Children raised in an emotionally cluttered home suffer, because they often mimic what they learn at home. They practice that behavior at school, on the playground, and with other kids. We all learn by watching those around us. Decluttering reduces family tension—arguments over misplaced things, frustration about chores, or guilt about not keeping up. More importantly, a decluttered home creates a space for more laughter, more conversation, and more connection.
Declutter Home. Tips to Reclaim Your Space
Start small. Practical tips to begin:
- Give yourself just 30 minutes. Set a timer and see how much you can tidy up in just 30 minutes. If you stay focused, you will be amazed and what you will accomplish.
- Make it a game, a family challenge. See who can fill a bag of donated items the fastest? Sometimes I sit on the floor with my cats sorting through items to be shredded. They think it’s fun and on occasion, so do I.
- As you consider what needs to be discarded, ask yourself: is this something I really need? If the answer is no, then perhaps it’s time to let go.
Over time, small action steps, small Esteemable Acts create a big win. Take the step! It’s a gift worth giving to yourself, and to those you love most. Don’t forget your Esteemable Acts® Vision and Values Home Improvement Worksheet. Download here.
Francine D. Ward
Attorney-at-Law, Author, Speaker
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