Decluttering For Self Care
“Forget manicures and bubble baths, I’m talking about
long lasting change!”
As a mother, it's easy to get caught up in the daily demands of taking care of your family. Between cooking meals, running errands, working, and keeping up with the housework, it can be challenging to find time for yourself. Then add in that in our day and age the village is lost, many of us are living away from our extended families and support networks… no wonder it can feel impossible to carve out time for ourselves. However, taking care of yourself is crucial for your overall well-being, and decluttering and organising your home can be an excellent way to practice self-care. Forget manicures and bubble baths, I’m talking about long lasting change!
Decluttering and organising may not initially sound like the most relaxing or enjoyable activities, but they can have a significant impact on your mental and emotional health. A cluttered home can lead to feelings of overwhelm, stress, and anxiety, making it harder to relax and unwind. On the other hand, a tidy and organised space can help you feel more calm, focused, and productive.
Here are some tips for decluttering and organising your home as a form of self-care:
Start small.
Trying to tackle your entire home at once can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. Instead, start with one small space or room at a time. It may even be one basket or one drawer. Focus on decluttering and organising that space before moving on to the next. Small wins will help you build momentum and confidence.
Get rid of what you don't need.
This has the biggest impact on family homes! Clutter accumulates when we hold onto things we no longer need or use, but with little people about we rarely stop to evaluate what comes into and stays lingering in our homes. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and what can go.
Create a system.
Once you've decluttered, create a system for organising the remaining items. This can include using bins or baskets to corral like items, labelling items or shelves for easy identification, and creating designated spaces for everything.
Involve your family.
Getting your family involved in the decluttering and organising process can be a great way to spend time together and teach your children about the importance of taking care of their belongings.
Maintain your systems.
Organising is an ongoing process, so it's important to maintain your systems to prevent clutter from accumulating again. Set aside a regular time to declutter and organise, and make sure everyone in your household knows where things belong and how to put them away.
Hot Tip!
Please look after your local charity stores by donating quality items that are in clean, useable condition. If something is dirty, mouldy or has holes then it belongs in your garbage bin or at the local waste recovery centre.
If you aren’t feeling confident to tackle the task yourself, I encourage you to consider hiring a professional organiser or declutter coach.
As experts, we can provide you with practical solutions and strategies for decluttering and organising your home, as well as tips for maintaining your new systems. Some services (like ours) even offer add-ons such as removal of donations and recyclables, photo organisation, streamlining life administration, etc.
Remember, decluttering and organising your home is not about having a perfectly curated or decorated space and it doesn’t have to be expensive! It's about creating a space that feels comfortable and functional for you and your family. By taking the time to declutter and organise your home, you'll be investing in your own well-being and creating a more peaceful and relaxing environment for you and your family to enjoy every day.
Heather Jones
Professional Organiser & Declutter Coach
Heather is an aspiring minimalist, and the founder of Orange Organising Co., specialising in decluttering and organising homes in Orange and Central West NSW. You’ll often find her knee deep in other people’s clutter, with a sense of humour around the interesting items she may find and a strong drive to implement creative solutions that work for her clients. She is passionate about bringing a sense of calm, clarity and functionality to people's homes and lives.
With over 20 years of experience in people-centred fields, Heather has worked closely with a diverse range of individuals and firmly believes that every situation is unique. As such, she provides a personalised, judgment-free service to all her clients.
As the pioneer of organising and decluttering services in Orange, Heather is dedicated to upholding the highest industry standards and delivering exceptional results to her valued clients. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her membership with the Institute of Professional Organisers since 2021.
