10 Advantages of Decluttering

Do not add storage, remove clutter. This was a statement that hit me hard while reading the blog of Decorator’s Voice.  I admit I am a hoarder but not the hopeless one.  So I decided that I should make time to declutter each room of the house. The road to decluttering was not an easy one but the advantages were WORTH IT.

  1. You finally have SPACE! All those junk are in the BIN. (FINALLY)

The house seems brighter, more spacious and cleaner! It looks like a model house from BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS. You can finally breathe because those old boxes are gone. The old pieces of furniture are now in the dump. The huge space can make you run and dance the ballet!

Photo by Timothy Buck

inhale… exhale…
  1. You realized that you are in denial about being a HOARDER, PAPYROPHILE and a MESS.

I had a hawk eye for garage sale signs way back.  Because it was so cheap, even if I really don’t need it, I ended up purchasing the item.  Garage sale items piled up at home and took precious space in our rented unit.

According to Merriam-Webster Online, Papyrophile means a person who loves paper. Are you the type of person who loves collecting magazines, brochures, paper bills and other items made of paper? Do you see them piling up? Then you are a papyrophile.

Decluttering made me see receipts way back in 2011. Oh, my goodness.

Photo by Simson Petrol

I still need these… eventually.

A messy house is a norm when living with children. However, when you notice that the clutter is taking over your house space and your sanity, it is time TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

The house becomes the reflection of the person living in it. I am still a work in progress in terms of organization but the status of the house looks better now compared to the previous years.

  1. According to my son, the family is TOGETHER when decluttering. It takes TEAMWORK to carry out a challenging household task.

This is where having 3 boys in the family becomes an advantage! Carrying heavy loads together makes the job easier. The family at work teaches unity, communication and patience (lots of it).

  1. At last, you have found the LONG LOST ________ ( Fill in the blank)  you have been looking for since time immemorial.

The other pair of the sock has been FOUND! It was between the wall and the bed. I kept blaming the washing machine for that! Sorry, but I secretly see the washing machine as a sock eater.

The photo that was taken out from the album because of a school project has been recovered. I do not have a digital copy of that photo so WHEW, remembrance of the event has been saved.

The T-shirt that I already forgot I bought a long time ago has finally seen the light of day! Sad to say, it is not my size anymore. *grumbling*

Photo by Roman Kraft

Family photos are treasures.
  1. You improve your I-AM-SO-ORGANIZED-PERSONALITY.

After decluttering, you tend to store the more important items by labeling them and not just throwing them in a box. Every family member knows where to put each item because there are labels.

It boosts your confidence because you have nailed decluttering LIKE A BOSS!

Photo by Brooke Lark

One good life choice – CHECK!
  1. You have the option to DONATE clothes or household items you no longer need but can still be used.

The hardest part in this is LETTING GO.  You see a T-SHIRT that became a part of something special in your life.  You no longer fit it but still can be used by others who are 2 sizes lower than you.(ouch) Being in denial of gaining weight is another story.

SMILE! You will make someone happy by the things you are GIVING.

  1. Imagine, there are visitors coming in 10 minutes! Never fear, you are already prepared!

Before: The horror of it all! Panic runs through your veins as you organize the living room where they will be staying.

After decluttering: The house is in clutter-free mode, you just prepare some refreshments as you wait for them or take a quick shower. Calmness… Peace… Being still… Heaven.

Photo by Taylor Grote

Ready to entertain… let the guests come.
  1. Your happiness scale goes UP.

You are taking good care of your well-being as a mum when you finally decide to declutter.

IT FEELS GOOD.

It becomes stressful to live in a messy house. Being a mum is already demanding. Adding a chaotic house can drive a mum’s patience to the limits.

The last thing you want is to wake up the HULK MUM MODE.

Photo by Peter Forster

The HULK MUM MODE is just waiting to come out… stepping on a Lego piece, an underwear on the floor, messy bedroom etc.
  1. It brings back MEMORIES – hopefully, the good ones.

– The photo screaming  WHAT-WERE-YOU-THINKING HAIR-DO?! I thought I was pretty with that hair-do.  *laughing*

– The blanket that was used by all the boys when they were still babies ( Time flies so fast.)

–  The dress that was a silent witness to special moments  ( Those were the days.)

–  The book that ignited enthusiasm for personal development  ( You had TIME to read!)

– The stuffed toy that you will not dare donate because of personal reasons  (Still a child at heart)

And many more…

Memories and decluttering are agents of change that can make you analyze your existence:  WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR LIFE?

  1. It strengthens your VIGILANCE to maintain the ORDER in the house.

In reality, the house will not always be a super-duper clean one, especially when living with children. It is bound to self-destruct after one day or (gasp!) 20 minutes. However, as a mum, it is part of the job description to remind the children to fix their bedroom or else…

Photo by Frida Bredesen

I SAW THAT! Please put it back where you got it.

It is of paramount importance to remember that you have to tell the children (the loving partner included) what you want. They are not mind-readers that can guess every time what you are thinking. Tell them explicitly what they can contribute so that the house can be:

a. always ( I wish)

b. often  (50-50)

c.  sometimes  (reality)     CLEAN and ORDERLY.

It is better than never tidy.

With consistency and follow-up with family members, the burden of doing everything will not be on your shoulders anymore.

It can do wonders for your face – happier, younger and more radiant. Believe me.

Photo by Artem Beliaikin

Relax, you have done well.