Benefits of Simplified Living
As winter temperatures have many of us staying indoors and eagerly awaiting the vibrant colors of spring, now is the perfect time to simplify your surroundings and breathe fresh air into your living spaces. Simplified living is not just a design trend; it's a lifestyle that offers lots of benefits, from a clean and organized look to a profound impact on your overall well-being. Come along as we explore how simplifying your space, through decluttering and organizing, can bring a more calm, joy, and time into your life. It’s all about creating more space for the people we love, the things we enjoy doing, and the moments that matter most!
Beauty Beyond Aesthetics
While the beautiful, clean look of a decluttered and organized space is undeniably appealing, the true magic lies in the benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics. Simplified living makes everything a bit more manageable and at its core, it’s a gift of less stress and more time - the space and opportunity to focus on the truly important things in life.
1. Less Stuff, More Mental Clarity
Remember that every item in your home demands a slice of your mental energy. From figuring out where to store something to the dread of accessing items tucked away in overcrowded spaces, the mental burden adds up. Picture this: come springtime, your cherished picnic basket, filled with colorful blankets and utensils, is stashed away behind a daunting tower of rarely-used kitchen appliances. The effort required to unearth the basket becomes a barrier to that picturesque outdoor lunch you envisioned, and you find yourself frustrated and wondering if it’s really worth the hassle?
2. Save Time, Save Money
Every possession not only requires mental energy from you, but physical energy in order to keep track of it, too. The more items you own, the more energy you’ll have to expend - which can lead to exhaustion and overwhelm. If searching for misplaced items, like those specialty light bulbs that you swear you already bought, becomes a time-consuming quest that ultimately ends in re-purchasing things you surely already own but can’t find, rest assured that decluttering will help you streamline your spaces, making it quicker, easier, and less stressful to find what you need - and save you money in the process.
3. Easier Cleaning and Maintenance
When there’s less clutter to deal with, cleaning and tidying up becomes so much more manageable. My kids’ playroom is a perfect example of this - before decluttering, cleaning was a nightmarish task that everyone dreaded. Endless odds and ends that didn’t have a true spot to call home made it a frustrating and overwhelming process for all, especially the kids. Fast forward to today - in our simplified playroom, with downsized toys and clear organizational systems, cleanup is a breeze and takes no more than 10-15 minutes, even post-playdate when it looks like a “tornado of fun” just rolled through. The impact on our quality of life has been nothing short of game changing.
4. Improved Focus and Creativity
A simplified and organized space allows for better concentration and creativity. Imagine facing an important task at a cluttered desk piled high with papers, mail, and kids’ artwork. You can’t help but wonder whether there are important deadlines you’re missing amidst the mess. Distractions abound, making it difficult to focus. By eliminating visual chaos, you create a mental space where ideas can flow freely.
5. Enhance Relationships
The stress and overwhelm within our homes, workplaces, and lives can affect our interactions with loved ones. Simplifying your life not only gives you more time for important relationships but also creates a comfortable space for social interactions. Ever felt on edge or distanced yourself due to clutter-related stress? Simplifying your surroundings can go a long way towards alleviating these tensions.
Where to Begin
The thought of decluttering your entire home may seem daunting, so start small. Pick one room or even a drawer. You’ll be amazed at how great it feels, and the motivation to tackle more will likely follow. For a quick win, consider starting with a bathroom - it’s smaller and the items are less likely to be sentimental. From there, move on to high-impact areas like your main closet or kitchen, which shape your daily routines.
In each space, begin with decluttering. Assess each item and allow only those you truly love or need to stay. The rest can find new purpose through donation or, if no longer useful, can be responsibly discarded. Imagine walking through your home surrounded only by items that serve you, and totally free from the burden of dealing with unnecessary belongings.
Celebrate Your Wins!
Finally, don’t forget to pause and take a minute to be proud of the commitment and tough decisions you’re making along your journey towards a simplified, yet fulfilling lifestyle. As you simplify your surroundings, you’ll likely find that your to-do list becomes more manageable, too. Enjoy this newfound time in your schedule - start that book you’ve been wanting to read, fit in the yoga workout that sets the tone for your day, or go grab milkshakes with your kids for no good reason other than to savor a few precious moments of togetherness amidst the daily hustle. Reclaim that well-deserved space and time in your life for the things that matter most!
Hi there! I’m Kristen, and I’m a professional organizer and owner of Simplified Professional Organizing in Pittsburgh, PA. I absolutely love helping people simplify their homes, businesses, and day-to-day lives. No matter where you’re at in your organizing journey, I’m here to help.
Click HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about how we can help you eliminate the overwhelm and reclaim space in life for what truly matters most!
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