Decluttering at a Slower Pace: Technique to Assist in Eliminating Clutter When Feeling Overwhelmed by Messiness
In today's fast-paced world, the idea of decluttering can often seem daunting and overwhelming. However, a gentle and intentional approach known as slow decluttering is gaining popularity, offering a more manageable and less stressful way to tackle clutter.
Slow decluttering is a method that breaks down the process into smaller, manageable tasks, allowing individuals to declutter their homes without feeling pressured or overwhelmed. This approach is particularly beneficial for those who find the thought of a massive purge too overwhelming.
One of the key advantages of slow decluttering is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. By focusing on one area at a time and proceeding at a comfortable pace, individuals can avoid feeling overwhelmed by the task's enormity. This mindful and calming experience is similar to the benefits found in slow cleaning.
Another benefit of slow decluttering is the achievement of achievable goals. Setting small, achievable goals helps maintain motivation and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. Completing small tasks provides a sense of accomplishment, which can boost mood and motivation.
Slow decluttering also offers flexibility and adaptability. Individuals can adjust their pace according to their energy levels and emotional capacity, which helps manage the emotional stress associated with decluttering. This adaptability ensures that decluttering becomes a sustainable routine rather than a one-off chore.
Moreover, slow decluttering helps avoid burnout by spreading the task over several sessions. This consistent approach ensures that individuals maintain a sustainable routine and integrate decluttering as a regular habit.
The slow and intentional nature of slow decluttering also provides time for emotional processing. This process can be therapeutic and help in creating a more personal and meaningful space.
Professional organizer Di Ter Avest, the owner of Di is Organized in Baltimore, MD (USA), is an advocate for slow decluttering. She states that decision fatigue can make decluttering difficult, and slow decluttering can help reduce overwhelm.
To practice slow decluttering at home, one can set tiny, doable goals such as sorting one drawer or a handful of clothes. Some people even pair decluttering with a routine like chatting on the phone or waiting for dinner to cook.
For those seeking guidance on their decluttering journey, there are several resources available. 'Less is More: Unlocking Happiness Through Minimalism' by Jane Harper is a hardcover guide to understanding the benefits of decluttering and minimalism. 'Motivational Decluttering Journal: A 90-Day Journal & Workbook' by Sunny Meridian is a paperback journal with tips, advice, and space for tracking decluttering progress. 'Mind Over Clutter: Cleaning Your Way to a Calm and Happy Home' by Nicola Lewis is another paperback book that helps overcome mental blocks in decluttering.
Di Ter Avest also offers an accountability program and book, "Organize Yourself Healthy," which helps women worldwide to get their lives and homes organized.
In conclusion, slow decluttering offers a compassionate and sustainable way to manage clutter, reducing overwhelm and promoting a more peaceful living environment. Whether you're listening to a podcast or an album, taking one small step at a time can lead to a significant reduction in clutter and an increase in peace of mind.
- The method of slow decluttering, popularized by professional organizer Di Ter Avest, breaks down the decluttering process into smaller, manageable tasks, making it a less stressful way to transform one's home-and-garden environment.
- Those who engage in slow decluttering can achieve achievable goals that boost mood and motivation, setting small, achievable goals like sorting one drawer or a handful of clothes at a time.
- Slow decluttering aligns with the principles of minimalism, offering a peaceful living room and kitchen space by focusing on essential decor and furniture with Tech-neutral textures.
- Home-improvement enthusiasts can explore various resources for guidance on their decluttering journey, including the hardcover book 'Less is More: Unlocking Happiness Through Minimalism' by Jane Harper.
- By adopting a slow and intentional approach to decluttering, individuals can create a more artistically and intentionally designed home that reflects their lifestyle and values, allowing for a lifestyle upgrade that also promotes physical and mental well-being.
