March is officially here, which means many of us in Ahwatukee have started thinking about spring cleaning.
This season, rather than concentrating on cleaning and dusting, what if we focused on clearing out some of the unused items that are taking up space in our homes? In other words, maybe we should try shifting our focus from accumulation to curation, and view unused, empty spaces in our home as a desirable amenity. This approach may allow us to see that a beautiful home is not defined by what we own, but rather by the clarity and mental breathing room that we create when we remove the non-essential items.
The Visual Peace that Comes from Decluttering
Did you know that every item in your home communicates with you throughout the day? It might sound silly, but it’s true. All day, our possessions are saying things like “Clean me!” “Organize me!” “Take care of me!” “Fix me!” If you ever feel tired and overwhelmed in your own home, this might explain why.
By going through your home, room by room, and giving yourself permission to remove the items that are not being used and/or are not meaningful to you, you will go a long way in cutting back on this visual noise. You may also find that having fewer objects will allow you to see and truly appreciate the meaningful items you have decided to keep.
The Psychology of Weightlessness
There is a mental toll that comes with taking care of a lot of possessions. This cognitive load can use up a lot of mental energy throughout the day. If you ever find yourself wondering “Why am I feeling so mentally fatigued?”, your belongings may very well be a key reason.
On the flip side, when you go through your home and remove the items that are no longer serving your needs, you will undoubtedly feel a sense of lightness and well-being.
How Having Less Leads to Having More Time for You!
Two areas of your home that, once they are streamlined and decluttered, will have an immediate positive impact on your day, are your closet and your kitchen.
When you go through your closet and keep only the clothes that you truly love, that make you feel great when you wear them and are all options to wear today, getting dressed in the morning will become so much faster.
The same is true for the kitchen. It is easier to prepare meals when drawers and cupboards are not filled with dishes, pots and pans and coffee mugs that no one ever uses.
Having fewer items to take care of and keep track of will pay off in other ways as well – for example, in reclaiming precious time. By spending less of your day maintaining, organizing, cleaning and fixing items that don’t mean that much to you anyway, you’ll have more time for the important things in life like relationships with those you love, your hobbies and creating wonderful memories.
The Freedom of “Enough”
Are you ready to experience the freedom and mental clarity that comes with owning fewer items? If so, we welcome you to “edit” one space in your home this weekend. Start with one bookcase, one drawer or one closet and remove the things that you no longer use. You don’t have to donate them or toss them yet—simply put them into a box and set them aside for now.
When you are done, focus on how this space feels – the way you can truly see and appreciate the items that are still there, or how the room is already starting to feel calmer and more peaceful. Then, after a few days, tackle another space, and then another.
As you go, remember that downsizing isn’t a loss, but rather a way to gain focus and energy. You deserve it.
There is a mental toll that comes with taking care of a lot of possessions.
...a beautiful home is not defined by what we own, but rather by the clarity and mental breathing room that we create when we remove the non-essential items