The Psychological Impact of Decluttering
I am a passionate advocate for the profound psychological benefits of decluttering and organising our homes. I embarked on my own decluttering journey back in 2015 after reading Marie Kondo’s ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’. It was indeed life-changing and magical, so much so I went on to train with her and her team to learn the art of professional decluttering. Whilst lockdown meant I could no longer go into people’s homes to support them as they sorted through their spaces, and my full attention returned to my therapy practice, I have never stopped being somewhat evangelical about the power of decluttering.
And of course as a counsellor, I am naturally fascinated by how the ‘stuff’ we choose to have around us, impacts our wellbeing and ability to function.
In my experience, and that of those I supported in their decluttering journeys, delving deeper into the psychological realm of decluttering unveils a profound process of self-discovery and inner transformation.
Beyond the surface-level of tidying up our physical spaces, lies an unraveling of the intricate threads of our psyche, confrontation of buried emotions, and redefinition of our relationship with material possessions.
SURROUNDED BY STORIES
At its core, decluttering is an act of liberation—an opportunity to untangle ourselves from the web of attachments that bind us to the past and restrict our sense of freedom in the present. Each item we possess carries with it a story, a memory, a level of burden, or an emotional resonance that shapes our environment and influences our wellbeing, for good or for bad.
“Things don’t just sit there. They send us silent messages. And the more the item has been neglected, the stronger its message will be.”
These words from extreme minimalist, Fumio Sasaki, resonated deeply, prompting me to listen more attentively to what my own possessions were saying.
Every item in our home has a story to tell, whether it's an irritatingly useless mop that induces cleaning-rage each time you use it, or a cherished orange coffee pot invoking memories of happier times. By listening to these messages, we gain insight into our relationship with our belongings and can make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
PROCESSING POWERFUL EMOTIONS
As we sift through our belongings and discern what truly sparks joy, we confront the complexities of our inner world. We may unearth feelings of nostalgia, regret, longing and loss, as well as confront unresolved issues and emotional ‘baggage’ that have accumulated over time. In this process, decluttering becomes a form of emotional catharsis—a release of blocked emotions and a step towards healing. Objects can act as gateways to powerful emotions.
Recently, while working with a therapy client who is processing a traumatic relationship break-up, I asked if they had items in their new home that reminded them of their ex-partner. As we talked they realised there were a number of possessions that held a negative charge and we considered how letting them go could offer healing, by removing those triggers. We should feel no obligation to keep things that make us feel uncomfortable.
Mindful Consumerism
The act of decluttering also forces us to confront our consumerist tendencies and examine the role of materialism in our lives. In a society that often equates possessions with success and happiness, decluttering challenges the notion that ‘more is always better’ and encourages us to reevaluate our priorities. The act of releasing items we’ve ‘spent good money on’ but no longer use, fosters a commitment to being mindful about what we choose to bring into our lives post-decluttering.
LIVING MORE AUTHENTICALLY
Sorting through what we own serves as a catalyst for personal growth and self-awareness. As we sift through our possessions, we gain insight into our habits, preferences, and emotional triggers. We become more attuned to our innermost desires and aspirations, allowing us to align our actions with our true sense of purpose and fulfilment. It can be hard to let go of items we’ve bought that we believed would help us create an idealised imagined future, but in reality, lie unused under the bed, gathering dust. There is freedom and fresh energy that comes from releasing these items that now only serve to make us feel guilty, wasteful, even a failure.
Decluttering is not merely a chore to be checked off our to-do list - as we discard and curate our homes, we create more space and gain clarity as to who we truly are and how we actually want to live.
NEVER LOSE YOUR KEYS AGAIN!
In the nine years since my epic declutter I’ve not lost my house keys once - that used to happen most days having absentmindedly put them down somewhere. According to a NAPO survey (The National Association of Professional Organizers) ‘the average American spends one year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items’. For me it’s not just the thought of wasting all that precious time looking for lost items, it’s how the panic and frustration of losing things can set the tone for your entire day, potentially negatively rippling out into your interactions with your family, colleagues etc. When a butterfly flaps its wings…
A GIFT FOR OUR CHILDREN
My now ten year old was two when I began decluttering so he has grown up with this practice. He understands how to really tune in to his heart to decide what he’d like to keep and what can be donated.
Teaching our children the art of effective decluttering and organisation is invaluable. Not only does it create a calm and organised environment which is great for their wellbeing, focus and self-regulation, but it also instills essential life skills for adulthood. Empowering them to make decisions about their belongings, teaching them to be mindful about what they want to bring into their space in the first place, and how to care for their precious possessions, equips them for running a well-functioning home in the future - an investment in their future happiness.
GREAT RESOURCES
If you are keen to declutter your home I can highly recommend these books to get you started:
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - Margareta Magnusson
Or these are both great shows on Netflix:
I hope this inspires you to consider embarking on your own decluttering and organising ‘festival’; I’ve never looked back and love living in an organised home.
If you have any questions feel free to comment below…