Many think it will take a profound effort or event to find happiness. Studies have shown what makes people happy has less to do with what they are doing, and more to do with whether their attention is fully present in the moment.
By changing our thoughts, actions and values (our intentional activities and choices that we make), that is where we can find ways to increase our happiness.
Disorganization and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains, a direct impact on your focus and can trigger stress, anxiety or even anger.
Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer and more in control. One might even say ‘happier’!
Clutter comes in many forms including mental, physical, emotional and even spiritual. Today we are talking about physical clutter – the piles of paperwork in the office, the overflowing closets, the junk drawer in the kitchen. Physical clutter includes digital clutter like thousands and thousands of emails or unnamed files and lack of file system on your computer (hint: can you actually see your desktop screen?)
Reducing clutter could literally help you raise your own happiness setpoint. The process of cleaning can give you a sense of control because it’s something you can do without thought. It’s automatic. For some it could also trigger more anxiety or even pain during intense, all-in-one decluttering sessions.
Welcome to slow clutter control. Rather than setting aside hours and hours, days upon days leading to to full weekend clean outs of tackling declutter projects, you do one thing every day and still feel those benefits of control.
Imagine one year from now – 365 items relocated to their place (which might be in the trash or donated to a family in need.) Ask yourself, how many sets of sheets, random towels, bar glasses or twist ties do you really need?
To get you started, use the simple list below for tasks that takes minutes, even seconds, out of your day. # 1 is my favorite right now, tell me what yours is on the Happy Eats Healthy community Facebook page.
- Unsubscribe from one email (junk, shopping, etc.) every day.
- Open any closet or drawer- remove one item
- Scan or take a photo snapshot of receipts, throw away the original
- Step into the kitchen and remove one thing from the counter
Make an intention that you will do one thing every day that declutters your life. Small efforts count!