What are some of the side benefits of decluttering?

That might seem like an odd question, or certainly an obvious one. 

We clear away clutter, sort, order and tidy. The results of that are obvious:

• clearer surfaces
• more space
• less stuff to sort through when we are looking for something
• greater efficiency when putting things away
• greater ease at finding what we need and utilising it better
• an enhanced ability to see and enjoy what we do have
• rediscovering lost treasures!

All good, all fairly obvious. And if you have been working through your own decluttering projects over these last few weeks in tandem with my musings here, you will be reaping these benefits for yourself. 

And yippee, a hearty well done to you!

But there are deeper and further reaching benefits. This is emerging in my own mind as I consider the fruits of our decluttering. 

Yes the house is tidier and my sock drawer remains something Marie Kondo would be proud of (this makes more sense if you read this blog!).

But I am more conscious at a deeper level of WHY I keep stuff, and also of the impact of HOW I keep stuff.

Taking the time to work through a comprehensive process of decluttering has produced a number of side benefits. 

I make decisions more easily.

This is something that our oft-reference guru Ms Kondo herself identifies, and is a key part of her method. When we have made lots of decisions about what we are keeping and what we are disposing of, our decision making skills are sharpened. I am much quicker at assessing an item and deciding if it will fit in with my/our life and priorities, or if it will not. For me, the useful or beautiful mantra is an important one, and I have honed and sharpened my abilities to assess quickly if this is the case. 

Furthermore, as someone who values efficiency, MB and I have spent a considerable amount of time sorting through stuff. Do I really want to undo all that work by refilling my space with more stuff?

I don’t think so!

I have greater mental clarity.

MB observed this as a hugely beneficial side benefit of some overflow decluttering of his own. Some initial resistance had to be overcome – the belief that systems and order are constraining and cramp freedom. And the opposite was found to be true. Greater physical space is a fabulous precursor to greater mental clarity. 

Think of your own working environment: your desk, or your office, perhaps your kitchen. How would you describe it? What is it characterised by? And how does that environment make you feel? 

We are all different, and what is important here is finding what works best for us, that is in tune with our priorities and values. But my experience of my own decluttering, that of MB, plus anecdotal evidence from a number of clients does indeed suggest that clearer space equals clearer mind. 

What would you do with all that extra brain space? What would that mental clarity facilitate?

Another reason to pursue with commitment creating clear spaces that work for you, be it your desk, your inbox, or your kitchen counter. 

Creativity has increased.

This follows on from having greater mental capacity. When our space is full to the brim of stuff – piles, clutter, emails, electronic noise or gadgets, social media noise – our capacity for creative mental exploration is diminished. There simply is not the space.

But free up space and we reboot the system with an upgrade. How fabulous is that! Suddenly from what was dark and overloaded, we step out into lightness and clarity. We choose to not immediately fill up that lovely open space with more stuff or noise and instead let our imagination run free and wild. Times like that – unstructured creative free thinking – feed our souls, as well as feeding into our work and experiences. 

As someone who believed for a long time that I was not creative, I am passionate about dispelling that myth for others. Space to dream, think differently, explore outside of the realms of the normal boxes in which we live – all of this is essential for our well being. You can read more in a series on creativity that starts here. 

So if you are stalling on a clearing project, take a few minutes to think through what you stand to gain as side benefits of decluttering.

Increased mental space and clarity, creativity, clear decision making. 

What’s not to like?