630-Why Decluttering Helps Mental Health

We know there are so many mental health benefits from decluttering, yet so many of us find ourselves sitting among piles of paper.  From feeling more focused to a higher self-esteem to even better relationships, how do we get out from under the clutter?

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in about 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat, and what do you do when you really need to focus.  For me, it’s clearing off my desk that is usually full of paper notes I’ve jotted something down on.   We know there are so many mental health benefits from decluttering, yet so many of us find ourselves sitting among piles of paper.  From feeling more focused to a higher self-esteem to even better relationships. 

 

I was inspired by this article in WebMD about the mental health toll it takes when we have cluttered spaces.  We’ve talked about this recently in other episodes.  This article says that “[g]etting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control. A tidier space can make for a more relaxed mind.”  I know this is true for me.  When my desk is clear, I’m more creative and feel more energized.  And certainly I feel less overwhelmed.  

 

But sometimes that’s easier said than done.  Until I found my friend C.Lee’s KARMA system, I had aspirations of filing papers, but every system was too complicated and because I didn’t actually work the system, it never worked for me.   KARMA was simple, the part I loved the most was the system for Action Items.  Projects that I was working on that I needed to have easy access to.  I realized I could file a lot in Action Items and a lot in Reference, so it wasn’t gone forever, but not in my sightline that was taking up physical and mental space. 

 

That system gave me back more than just physical space.  It helps me feel calm.  It reduces my overwhelm.  It gives me back time, because I know where things are because it’s such a simple system.  

 

If you are listening to this and thinking, I wish I had a system for my house or my small business or my kids papers, this might be the answer you are looking for.  I know that it’s been a game changer for me.  C. Lee has one more FREE masterclass, so I’m putting the link in the show notes, so you can get some free value.  

 

Until next time, remember, kindness is contagious. 

 

And her FREE Masterclass, The Proven Path for Conquering Paper Clutter for Good Masterclass  https://www.cleecawley.com/a/2147507426/jSi8hVBL 

 

In the spirit of full disclosure, if you enroll in the Paper Cleanse via my link, I'll receive a small commission.  Because your success is important to me, I only recommend systems that I've personally used to create real results in my own life. The KARMA system works and C Lee is a great teacher.  

 

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And, let’s connect on social at @everydayhappinesswithkatie  and join the community on the hashtags #IntentionalMargins and #everydayhappinesswithkatie on Instagram

 

Links:  https://onamission.bio/everydayhappiness/

 

Inspired by: Mental Health Benefits of DeCluttering at WebMD https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-decluttering