With Spring being in the air, many of us might be thinking of the well-known phrase to ‘spring clean’ and deciding to attempt to declutter our houses and our lives.

This may be a yearly tradition, as it is for many, or it could be a long necessary chore that we’ve only just got around to tackling. In the last year, as a nation, we have seen an increase in decluttering, thanks to having more time in our homes. It appears that in times of chaos and uncertainty, the need to find order and space led to us sorting through perhaps a lifetime of clutter.

 In October 2020, the Financial Times published an interview with Marie Kondo, the Japanese tidying expert, titled ‘Decluttering in the time of Covid’.

Kondo noted that her KonMari tidying method isn’t about throwing things away but more about finding the possessions that make you happy — or, in her catchphrase, ‘spark joy‘.

Kondo rose to fame in 2019 with her Netflix show ‘Tidying up with Marie Kondo‘, bringing effective decluttering methods to households across the country. In response to the rise in people tidying and decluttering during the pandemic, she said that it was about finding joy, calm and peace.

“Tidying provides you with a strong foundation to ask questions of yourself: ‘What’s important to me right now? How do I want to live?”

There have always been great benefits to decluttering, besides those of filling time and finding order in an uncertain world. It can keep us focused, force us to really look at what we are holding onto, to assess the value of objects and possessions, as well as to make space and clear our minds as well as the rooms in our houses. As Kondo noted, it can also make us really think about what we want out of life. Looking through old souvenirs, photos or achievements can prompt us to focus on the direction are life is taking, particularly in a time when things have been so uncertain, and to focus on goals that we may want in the future.

Kondo has just launched a 10-episode online course that takes people through her tidying method step-by-step, teaching everything from folding techniques to storage solutions. In one of her video lessons, Kondo refers to the example of a woman who, after going through her books, realised the ones on child-rearing made her happy — and decided to give up her job and go into childcare.

Decluttering can also lead to incredible finds.  The Telegraph reported a rise in the discovery of Second World War explosives, in response to an increase in decluttering sheds and attics during lockdown, with over 2,700 call outs for the army and bomb disposal units. But, don’t let that put you off. Looking through old memories and keepsakes can give a nice sense of nostalgia and you may discover others stories that provide precious new memories or even new ways of expression.

Artist and performer, Becka McFadden, used letters discovered during the national lockdown as a basis for a performance installation called Letters of the Present Wars in collaboration with Beautiful Confusion Collective. The letters were written by her Grandparents during World War 2 and shed light on a period of history, which Becka found paralleled the world she was currently living in.

Learning and discovering new things about your past and your families’ past can all add to the benefits of decluttering. There are also many benefits to our physical and mental health of which we might not immediately consider.  Simplelionheartlife.com claim that decluttering is important to self-care. Their motto is ‘simplify your life, less stuff more life.’

 It notes that clutter takes your time, space and energy as well as your peace. That making time to declutter is an act of self care that may not always be enjoyable, but it necessary, such as making a doctor’s appointment or flossing your teeth.

 Simplelionheartlife.com has just launched its yearly Spring into Simple Decluttering Challenge, a free 14 day decluttering challenge to encourage people to make time to tidy and organise their homes.

Makespace.com lists the 5 main health benefits of decluttering (article Feb 2020)

• –        Alleviates anxiety and depression – Research from the University of California reveals that clutter produces high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and in turn causes anxiety and depression. So, whether it’s putting new purchases away or storing sentimental items, its best to do it right away. Although it may seem tedious, the quicker you get it done, the less clutter and stress there will be in your home.
• –        Helps you sleep better – The clutter in your home, especially in the bedroom, can interrupt your sleeping patterns, because it can fill your mind with uneasy thoughts. Researchers from St. Lawrence University found that cluttered bedrooms result in poor sleep due to depression and stress. For a good night’s rest, be sure that your bedroom is free from ‘chaotic’ clutter.
• –        Lessens allergens – With objects all over the house, its very easy to unknowingly let mould, pet hair, and dust fester in your home, making it a haven for harmful allergens. Decluttering and organizing helps improve indoor ventilation, which HomeServe identifies as a major factor in preventing the build-up of mould. Poor ventilation can make a room feel stuffy, and when coupled with humidity, can encourage the growth of harmful fungi.
• –        Cultivates a happy environment – In a shared home with family or roommates, clutter affects everyone, regardless of whose mess it is. And stress can strain relationships between family members or roommates. Thus, its important that you and your housemates declutter your rooms and common areas. Not only will this foster a healthier relationship, but it also boosts emotional health overall.
• –        Gets you moving – Decluttering entails a lot of moving around, as you dispose of items, pack boxes, and carry things from place to place. While it can be a tiring activity, the good news is that you’ve transformed cleaning into a form of exercise without even knowing it. Indeed, Thrive Global reveals that dusting can burn up to 174 calories in just an hour. Plus, decluttering is not a one-time event, as you’ll need to maintain the cleanliness. So, you can expect to become a more active person thanks to decluttering.

So, with all of these benefits in mind, why not make a start by setting some time aside to declutter your home. Start with one space or one room at a time, grab a friend or family member to help and maybe even turn up the music or put on a fun podcast to keep you motivated. You’ll soon have more space, a clearer mind and perhaps some exciting new discoveries.

For more guidance and inspiration try the following –

Find Marie Kondo on Netflix or find out more about her new course here.

Read more tips to decluttering and simplifying your life at Simple Lionheart Life – if you join the mailing list you get a free 7 step decluttering workbook. Try the 14-day free decluttering challenge in your own time– find out more here.