Make space for your focus and wellbeing

How’s your work space? When was the last time you got rid of the items you don’t use? Decluttering has a huge impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing. It creates space. Space for energy to flow, for clearer focus and concentration, and for what we want to attract.

If you have a hard time getting rid of things, I totally understand and feel you. A few years ago, I always thought: What if I would like to use this again in a few years? Thankfully, as everything in life, you get better with practice. So I invite you to start right away, today, or on the weekend. You just need a few hours or even start with 30 minutes and you will see how amazing it feels.

Just a little scientific insight: Why are so many people talking about minimalistic tendencies and lifestyles? Long story short: Less possessions = less visual distractions which leads to reducing cortisol (= less stress) and less decisions = less (mental) energy wasted and that leads to higher productivity. That’s why Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein chose to wear the same outfit every day. That’s also why office spaces generally tend or try to be visually as clean and attractive as possible (often white, grey, beige or blue tones; lots of plants; natural light; cupboards to store folders so they don’t pile up everywhere etc.). So whether it’s where you work or where you live: The tidier and clearer your space, the easier it is for your mind to find calmness and to concentrate. 

In my case, I’ve learnt to appreciate the benefits of having a visibly “emptier” space over the last years and I focus more and more on having less decoration, less items on my work desk, less clothes, less decisions. I see this benefit for example when I travel and only have a suitcase with 10-20kg. Maybe you’ve experienced this? Sometimes, the packing part is not easy, but once you are on the trip, it’s great. Why? There are only a few possible combinations and maybe you’ve decided on them already. It just makes the start of the day so much easier. Plus, the hotel room is usually very clean and tidy, isn’t it?
But here is one of the best parts when you start to declutter: The things you don’t use, can serve someone who actually needs them. Win-Win: You clear your space and on top you are helping others and that has another effect on your wellbeing. So shall we start?

Here is my personal step by step guide:

1. Status Quo: Observe & feel
   Take a slow look around your office space/room/home, wherever you do this exercise. How do you feel in this space? Look at the walls, look into the cupboards and drawers. How do you feel when you look into them? If you feel calm, at ease and no need to get rid of anything, congratulations, you can stop here. If you feel that you actually own (too) many things you don’t really use, please keep reading.
2. Sort & List
   You can make a list on a paper or in your head: What things do you like and use? What do you own that you don’t like or/and haven’t used in a long time? Any items you keep “just in case”? Whether it’s in your office, bathroom, kitchen, living room, bed room, whether they are professional items or gifts, decoration, clothes… is there anything you own or the typical drawer you haven’t opened in months and now you open it and think: Wow, I didn’t even know I still had this?
3. Take action
   When you feel ready, open a box or big bag you can leave somewhere and start placing some of these items in it. I recommend you to prepare different boxes: One for technological items, one for decoration, one for papers, one for clothes etc. 
4. Go at your own pace
   Go wall by wall, drawer by drawer, room by room etc. You can do it on a day off or during several weeks. You can also just start with one room or area. It all depends on the size of your space and the time you have. Do it in your own rhythm. Place the things in the box(es) consciously and with gratitude. They served their purpose.
5. Be courageous and let go
   • If you already know inside you don’t need these things: Get the box(es) out of your sight as fast as possible, before you can overthink your decision (Attention: our mind plays tricks on us here so it will always make us believe we need those things. I promise you, if you have placed them in the box, you don’t need them.). Please recycle, sell or donate the things that are still in good shape. In whichever city you are: Look for associations or centres which receive donations or research online, there are several platforms where you can easily sell things and that way you give them a second life.
   • If you are not sure: Keep the box(es) for a while. When a month passes, and you haven’t used and/or thought about the items, you have your confirmation you don’t need them. If you are still unsure, keep the box(es) 1-2 more months. If you still haven’t used them after 3 months, get rid of the box(es) without investing any more energy. Don’t think about it. Remember: Declutter for more space in your mind. You can and will live and focus better without these things.
6. The new space
   After you got rid of the box(es): Take a slow look around your space/office/room/home. How do you feel now? Take it in. Even if it was hard – I hope you still feel good about the result and that you made it. Next time will be a little easier. If you feel great and motivated thinking that you could get rid of even more things now, congratulations! A new era begins and my recommendation is to prepare a bag or box somewhere, where you can place further items.

In this article are some more insights and amazing tools and tricks:
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496

And, once you have your space prepared, the next step is to prepare your agenda with deep work:
https://littlehealthyhabits.com/how-to-concentrate-better-and-avoid-distractions/

A few more thoughts/tips: I personally follow this process intentionally several times every year. I’m doing a big clean-out right now and it feels amazing, as little things (eg. cards from a place I tried, info brochures, papers I printed off but don’t need anymore, little commercial gifts etc.) pile up in different drawers over time. Ever since I declutter regularly, I also don’t buy new items as quickly anymore, I think longer whether I will really use them (this is also a financial benefit). I’ve also learnt to store all work-related items in the evening and on the weekend out of sight. This helps me to completely disconnect from my professional tasks and prepare my space for mental relaxation.

What is your personal experience with decluttering? What are your tips?
If you tried it for the first time: How was it?