The pandemic has affected each of us in a myriad of ways, with some of us losing our jobs while others of us may be working more than normal due to staffing shortages. One way that we have virtually all been affected is a change in the amount of time we spend at home. That time, in a few words, is “a lot.”

Between working, managing school, and socializing from home, we are in our domains constantly these days. With this increased amount of time at home, it has become more important than ever to keep our households organized. You may have noticed that more traffic around the house equates to more messes and disorganization, and now is a great time to address the clutter in your life.

Define Your Notion of Clutter

Take a good look around your home. Imagine what your room, apartment, or house looked like before you moved in, when it was completely empty with no furniture, no appliances, and no knickknacks. Consider the absolute basics you would need if you were to mentally move in again, such as couches, beds, dishes, clothes, and so on.

Then take a mental inventory of what is now present in the house. What beyond these “basics” do you possess? For some people, paint supplies will be a basic need, as your creative drive may need it to keep you sane and stress-free. For another person, that box of old paint supplies may have been purchased on a whim and never even touched. Decide for yourself what you truly need in your life.

Marie Kondo revolutionized the decluttering world with her concept of identifying items which spark joy in your heart. If it doesn’t spark joy for you anymore (and perhaps, it never did), it is clutter.

Find Your Clutter Its New Home

Make a pile of all of your clutter and decide what needs to be done with each item. Some objects will be simply junk and need to be thrown away (such as broken items or very worn clothing). Other items may be your clutter, but another person’s basic need. For example, you don’t need fifteen sweaters, and you can weed out the sweaters in good condition and set them aside to donate to a thrift store. Likewise, appliances in working condition (think blenders, TVs, extra furniture that is collecting dust, etc.) can also be donated and even written off on your taxes.

Enjoy the Benefits of Decluttering

Psychology Today cites several advantages to taking the initiative to declutter your home. Among these benefits, the publication states the following as perks to living in a clutter-free home:

• Reduced anxiety – Cleaning our space and ensuring items are organized within it can help alleviate some of the anxiety you may feel when your home is in disarray.
• Physical activity and “mindwandering” – Decluttering your home can be rewarding, even if physically exhausting. Cleaning can be a very taxing task, especially when lifting boxes and scrubbing surfaces, so you can rest assured you will be getting in some exercise. You will also have the chance to clear your mind as well, and take a break from the rigors of your day job.

Consider making your next free day a declutter day, and get moving to a healthier mind and home.