Mar 6, 2019

Six Steps for Cutting Clutter and Making Life More Simple

The New Year is here, spring is right around the corner, and countless people are working to get out from underneath the clutter in their lives. For those with arthritis, it’s not as simple as breaking out the cleaning supplies and organizing things into piles, but it is important to make de-cluttering a priority. For arthritis sufferers, an uncluttered house is a safer house; less stuff lying around means fewer hazards. Follow these six steps for cutting clutter and making life more simple.

Strategize.

Commit to getting organized and create a plan to make that happen. Start with one room and go space by space, but pace yourself. Mentally prepare yourself that this will not be something that happens overnight, especially when you’re coping with a chronic condition. Spread the workload over several days, even weeks or months. Set realistic goals and create an attainable sorting system that works for you and your needs.

Gather what you need.

Gather up trash bags, donation boxes, storage tubs and label makers now. Doing this ahead of time puts your strategy into motion and sets you on a path of success. Keep in mind that in many areas, Goodwill Industries will come to you. If you have arthritis this can be a lifesaver, but if you plan to utilize this service, be sure to call ahead and schedule it into your plan.

Purge.

Re-evaluate your stuff, eliminate duplicates, and get rid of junk. Take some advice from Marie Kondo and if it “doesn’t spark joy,” it needs to go. If you haven’t used it in a year or you have more than one, it goes. After you do a thorough purge, you must look at your things that surround you on a weekly basis and decide whether or not you truly need it.

Give things a home.

It is crucial to find a designated space for every item you own. Take a long, hard look at your space and decide where objects should go. Miscellaneous objects tend to pile up in certain spots, so adapt your spaces to meet your needs and store objects efficiently. Keep frequently used items easily accessible and clearly label them. Create a rule that the only way you can keep something that doesn’t have a home is to get rid of something else to make room for that must have item.

Ask for help.

If all else fails, reach out to a professional organizer or a friend who has experience. Having an expert coach you through the decluttering and organizing process can make a world of difference in your home and for your body.

Know your body.

Listening to your body is key when organizing. If you are in pain, take a break, or do something else and come back to it later. It’s important to ensure you are giving yourself enough rest and recuperation time. Overdoing it can result in flare-ups or can leave you feeling miserable, ensuring you do not accomplish your goals.

It’s important to remember that organizing doesn’t need to be a perfect system and that sometimes good enough really is just good enough. The important thing is being able feel comfortable and safe in your own home and organizing can make that happen. If you need more ideas for de-cluttering and coping with arthritis, call Carolina Arthritis today!