The coronavirus has changed the concept of the workplace entirely. Working from home is the new normal. Spending your weekends chilling at home is also the new normal. When we spend so much time indoors in lockdown, a spacious and comfortable environment is more important than ever before. Even after the pandemic, we can expect working from home to become widely accepted. I’m guessing Marie Kondo books will soon be on the best sellers list once again.
We’re all guilty of hoarding items we don’t need. Perhaps an unboxed gift from years ago? Or worn-out shoes you “may” wear again someday? Or even a poor fitting dress you bought by accident? Today, all three have to go. That box of unwanted items sitting in the corner, that has never bothered you before, is starting to become an eyesore. Decluttering is beneficial in more ways than you can imagine during these times.
Why is it important to declutter during Covid-19?
- Disinfection is lot easier
With the possibility of having the COVID-19 virus lingering around, cleaning and disinfection should be your utmost priority. However, it would be a tedious task to clean and disinfect a cluttered space. At best, you’ll just be wasting your time and effort cleaning stuff that were supposed to be thrown out in the first place. Or worse, you might overlook the more important areas. The clutter becomes a burden on your health.
- Helps with Focus
Of the countless changes we have to embrace, working from home is perhaps the greatest struggle. It’s hard enough adapting to the blurring of work and home life, not to mention the distractions at home. A messy and disorganized room steals your focus because different visual stimuli are competing for your attention. As a consequence, your work efficiency is compromised.
- Space for A Proper Home Office
A home office needs to be out of the way of distractions with a clean work surface, a good office chair and sufficient space to keep work separate from the rest of the household.
- Less Stress
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to stay home for the past few months. It’s not uncommon to feel restless. A clean and organized space would make staying home less painful. According to Dr. Carter, a psychologist from Psychology Today, a cluttered space can be stressful and unsettling for most people as clutter is viewed as unfinished business.
- Gives a Sense of Accomplishment
While you feel like everything’s out of control, engaging in activities that promote a sense of accomplishment can protect mental health. Ever felt like you have achieved something after cleaning your desk? Decluttering involves decision-making and problem-solving skills, thus giving the restless you a sense of fulfillment.
- Improves Sleep
Sleeping in a messy room can have a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. Thus, decluttering is crucial when you want to prevent unwanted thoughts from bothering you when all you want is a good rest.
- A Chance to Revisit Old Memories
When you declutter, you’ll likely come across sentimental items from your travels. Put them aside as you cherish the times when you could jet off to an unknown destination.
- Save Money
Many families are experiencing financial stress caused by this pandemic. If you wish to save money, instead of shopping online when you need something, it may be a good idea to look around the storeroom first. You may have a spare. When you declutter, you’ll likely come across items you can still use, saving you from buying another one.
Moreover, these decluttered items can be a good source of supplementary income when you sell them on Ebay, after properly disinfecting of course. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
- Saves Time on Cleaning
When you free yourself from clutters, there will be less future cleaning to do. It buys you more time to do more important things. Moreover, searching things you need can be easier and faster if you won’t have to turn the room upside-down just to find them. Save more time cleaning your Lafayette home or have us clean it for you!
Now, are you ready to declutter? Here are some tips:
1. Start with five minutes every day. If you’re a busy person who is new to decluttering, this will make your decluttering session a breeze. Consistency is the key! Start with one drawer.
2. Declutter in sections or by rooms. It will prevent you from being overwhelmed. You also get to see the progress of what you’re doing.
3. Use the three-box method. Creating a sorting system will make your decluttering process easier. You will be able to decide item by item on what to keep, throw, and donate.
TLDR: declutter with 3 boxes for simplified yet effective clutter sorting.
BOX 1 – Items to Keep
BOX 2 – Items to Throw (be assertive)
BOX 3 – Items to Donate
Happy decluttering!