Decluttering: How to clean your apartment and your head at the same time

space organizer, founder of the online school and agency Studio of Order

Uncluttering is not only about tidying up your home, but also about finding inner harmony by organizing your space. After all, throwing out junk from the apartment, you throw it out of your head. New Year vacations are the most suitable time for general cleaning. Let’s get started!

Why does a person accumulate things for years? It is influenced by old habits and the Soviet past. Many people used to wear out the clothes of older brothers and sisters, grandparents washed bags.

It is in our psyche to keep things for a rainy day. That’s why people leave junk for the future. There is a false feeling that they will not be left with an empty trough in case of emergency. However, times have changed and so has the standard of living. Another frequent reason for this behavior is emotional memory. It is about people’s unwillingness to part with things that someone gave them.

Where to start uncluttering

First of all, it is necessary to get rid of those things that have expired, as they can be harmful to health. This is not only food, medicines, but also care and decorative cosmetics.

Next, sort out your closet. Divide the clothes into categories: those that you wear often, those that need repair, old things and those that you do not wear. Keep only the clothes from the first two items. The same goes for shoes and bags.

Sort through documents, papers, receipts and books. Look in drawers that are filled with all kinds of stuff. Do not forget to check the functionality of kitchen utensils, appliances and furniture. The main things to consider when cleaning out a room are:

• whether the item is useful;
• whether it’s used in the home;
• whether it brings happiness.

Where to put things

Many people refuse to get rid of things, because they do not want to throw them away. However, there are a lot of options where to put them. They can be recycled, resold, or taken to church.

For example, unwanted textiles or bedding can be donated to funds to help homeless animals. It will be used to make beds that will save dogs and cats from the cold.

How it affects the psyche

Every person who has tried to unclutter their home has felt a tremendous sense of renewal and emotional uplift. Why?

When we say goodbye to old things, we are actually saying goodbye to old emotions, unpleasant impressions and bad memories. By closing the door to the past, we open ourselves to new life.

For this reason, many personal growth courses and marathons begin with clearing out the clutter. Participants are asked to get rid of unnecessary things. Seeing the external order and proper organization of space, we begin to feel order inside our heads.