Uncluttering is a very simple and archaic concept that contains a ton of different benefits. The idea is to clean up certain areas of your life, clinging to the things you love, and letting go of the things that bring you negativity. By organizing your life this way, you're physically making an effort to discard baggage and highlight the things that make you feel joy. This not only increases productivity and gives a better aesthetic look to the world around you, but reduces stress, which aides your physical and mental health. This can be done at any time. When you feel more tidy and organized, you simply feel better about your life. Here are some of the biggest areas you can unclutter right away.
1. Your House- Certain personality types are known to clean their homes in times of worry. Physical cleaning is the most common type of uncluttering. Being able to look around your home and see a tidy space gives you a sense of pride and adulthood that few other things do. A cluttered house can be one of the biggest senses of dread, especially around a holiday with incoming company. Give away clothes that you never wear or have outgrown. Throw away outdated documents, or receipts from 1993. Organize your junk drawer, and dig to the bottom of your closets. Organizing a space gets the blood flowing and saves a ton of last minute searching when you've lost something. The hardest part is getting started.
2. Your Hobbies- Though these methods can be done any time, this section is often heavily pushed around this time of year. Sometimes our actual jobs can't be controlled due to the necessity of money. But the new year is a great time to get back to those artistic expressions that you've lost through the hectic doldrums of adulthood. Time is an incredible thing that constantly needs uncluttered. We always promise ourselves that we're going to make time for more of the things we love, yet we never do. Start to schedule time to be creative. Whether it's through writing, music, drawing, athletics, or simply more time to read, having a purpose outside of our jobs is crucial. Making yourself a safe time and space to create is not only a huge stress reliever, but it's a way to sharpen your mind and give yourself another sense of accomplishment. Even if it's only 20 minutes per day. It may be the hardest of the areas to unclutter, because it takes a consistent effort, but the benefits of happiness that come with it are limitless.
3. Your Relationships- This one is often forgotten about, but is perhaps the most important of the areas to unclutter. You should always take the time to examine the relationships in your life, because people themselves tend to be our biggest harbingers for happiness or frustration. Do this for everyone...family, partners, business colleagues, and friends. Make time to draw those closer to you who make you happy. Even if it's making a late dinner date when you're tired, or sending a ten second text to check up on someone who you appreciate. It makes their day, and it creates a positive flow of dialogue or a warm memory. A good social life is a beautiful ventilation and respite from the labors of life. By the same token, rid yourself of toxic people that drag you into drama or make you feel angry or heavy. As hard as it is, cutting off people who breed negativity is a form of self-love and self-preservation. You may feel bad for that person, but it's better than having a constant pit of stress in your heart. Do the same with social media. Is there a person who you never talk to on Facebook who's always trolling? Unfriend them. That person on Twitter who wants to engage everyone in political debates? Unfollow them. An uncluttered profile, much like an uncluttered life, gets rid of unnecessary stress and allows you to put energy into the people who you truly care about.
Taking these simple steps will increase your mood, your body, and your spirit instantly. I wish you all a happy and uncluttered life, and a happy and safe holiday season. I'll see you all in 2018. Love yourselves, and be good to each other.
-Jason Burke
