Gain control of a cluttered life by changing deeply ingrained behaviours and adopting new, more productive habits. In this post, we help you to find storage solutions that work for you.
Too much clutter equates to a cluttered mind.
Clutter can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional well-being. When our living or working spaces are filled with too many objects, it can feel overwhelming and suffocating, making it harder to focus and feel relaxed.
Here are some ways that clutter can affect our mental health:
- Increased stress: Clutter can be a source of stress, as it can make it harder to find things, create visual distractions, and make us feel overwhelmed by the amount of work we need to do.
- Decreased productivity: When our spaces are cluttered, it can be harder to focus and be productive. We may have trouble finding the things we need, and the visual distractions can make it harder to concentrate.
- Reduced creativity: Clutter can also inhibit our creativity by making it harder to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
- Negative impact on mood: A cluttered space can feel chaotic and uninviting, which can contribute to feelings of sadness and depression.
To combat clutter and its negative effects, it can be helpful to regularly declutter and organize your space. This can involve donating or discarding items you no longer need, finding designated storage spaces for important items, and developing a habit of regularly tidying up your space.
Clutter in need of repairs can be even more depressing causing feelings of inadequacy and failure. However, organising your life requires change and many of us are not comfortable with change. Old habits ingrained in your subconscious die hard. However, just as bad habits are born through repetition, so can good habits be developed through repetition. If you work at home it can be really challenging to maintain order and my post balancing housework with working from home addresses some of the issues.
The Psychology of Clutter
Your decision to get organised may have stemmed from a nagging spouse; or perhaps you misplaced your screwdriver and ended up driving to the shop to replace it, only to discover it lurking in the kitchen drawer under many other forgotten items. Maybe you’ve been late on too many occasions because of misplaced keys. Whatever the scenario, these annoying incidents can frustrate and hold you back, using up your precious time and dampening your enjoyment of life. You have the motivation, but the task at hand seems far too overwhelming and so you procrastinate. What is holding you back from organizing your life? To ascertain the root of your procrastination ask yourself:
Is there something you don’t want to face?
Is there a belief that is getting in your way?
Are you afraid to fail?
Are you resistant to change?Understanding the cause and effect of your beliefs and thought processes can give you insight as to why habits have formed.
Simple Steps to De-Clutter
Ok, so you’ve finished delving into your psyche and now you just want to de-clutter your space. Unfortunately, clutter doesn’t have legs, and where it was left, is generally where it’s been accumulating dust.
Pick an area of your highest priority
- Set up four boxes. Label each one separately, Trash, Donate, Recycle, and Put Away.
- Whatever you haven’t used in the last six months toss it in the trash box or Donation box.
- Any newspapers, flyers or loose papers that do not require filing, place in the Recycle box.
- Any items that have found their way into an area, in which they do not belong, place them into the box labelled Put Away.
“Trash, Donate and Recycle” boxes speak for themselves; however your boxes labelled “Put Away” can invoke more anxiety, so rather than just dumping these boxes in the garage or basement for future dust mites to feast on, now is the time to find effective storage solutions.
Donate or sell items: Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition but no longer needed. This can help someone else and potentially put some money back in your pocket.
Immediate Storage Solutions
Immediate storage is for items used daily. Put this stuff away in the general area in which it will be most useful. If you found loose tools, then move them to the tool box. If you found books then move them to the book shelve etc.
Secondary Storage Solutions
Secondary storage is for items used, but not daily. Choose containers that are uniform and covered. Units with drawers are better for finding items rather than stacked containers. Label all containers clearly. If you have lots of stuff that requires secondary storage then you might want to look at having this away from home.
If you have a business based from home then you may also want to invest in some storage to keep the two separate and Now Storage Basingstoke can help with this.
Business storage refers to the rental of storage units or facilities by companies or organizations to store their excess inventory, equipment, or other items that are not needed on a daily basis. Business storage is becoming increasingly popular as more companies are opting for flexible and cost-effective solutions to manage their storage needs.
Businesses may use storage facilities for various purposes, including:
- Storing inventory: Businesses can use storage units to keep their excess inventory safe and secure, freeing up space in their offices or warehouses.
- Storing equipment: Companies can use storage units to store equipment that is not needed on a daily basis, such as seasonal equipment, trade show materials, or large machinery.
- Archiving documents: Businesses can use storage units to archive important documents and records that are not needed for daily operations but need to be kept for legal or regulatory purposes.
- E-commerce storage: Many businesses that sell products online use storage units as fulfillment centers, where they can store their products, pack and ship orders, and manage their inventory.
The Deep Freeze
The Deep Freeze is where items belong that are rarely used but must be retained, such as tax files or seasonal stuff. However, be careful of this type of storage because it can easily become a graveyard for clutter. Also, keep in mind the location of such storage; make sure these containers are safe from anything that could destroy your valuables. Dust, dirt, moisture, sunlight, insects, and vermin can all reek havoc on stored items.
15 Minutes a Day
Fifteen short minutes each morning, before you leave the house or fifteen minutes before you go to bed each evening, can add a big difference toward getting your life in order. My post on How to Fake Clean house in 30 mins or less can help you focus on a quick tidy. Taking fifteen minutes to put things back into their proper location will bring a sense of control to your life. Remember, repetition is the only way to develop good habits for life.
Once you’ve decluttered and organized, make sure to maintain your space by regularly going through your belongings and getting rid of items you no longer need. Remember, decluttering is a process, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. By starting small and making incremental progress, you can create a more organized and peaceful home.
