Declutter
by Stacey Sougoufara, MSW
Recently, I realized I needed a “re-start” on my self-care. Self-care must fit individual lifestyles. In my busy-mom-mode, I knew I had to (re)-start somewhere with immediate impact.
My “somewhere” began with my shower. I noticed a label that I hadn’t removed from the glass door. The label provides clear, concise instruction on how to care for the door. At that moment, I realized I’d been taking better care of the shower door than myself. What if we were given simple instructions on how to care for ourselves?
Self-care instructions are available: Perhaps, we just start somewhere. Gretchen Rubin says “outer order contributes to inner calm.” With spring cleaning and the message from my shower door in mind, I saw a 30-Day Declutter Challenge on social media. I decided to start somewhere and try it!
Getting Real About Clutter
What you see is real, not an illusion: Real clutter, taking over and violating your space. Your clutter represents you. Therefore, emotional attachment is understandable. However, a time comes when things must go.
To become declutter ready, I followed these steps: (1) announced my 30-day challenge intent to friends, family, and on social media; (2) surveyed my living space; (3) prioritized my clutter targets; and (4) adapted a reasonable timeline. The declutter challenge provides daily tasks. However, weekends worked best for me.
To ease into decluttering, I decided to clean out my purse. Items I pitched were unexplainable. No justification for the many receipts, one athletic sock, or daughter’s ballet shoes. Completing this task inspired me to tackle my home.
“Sense-ible” Decluttering
Decluttering involves our senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and even taste. Realizing you neglected an area can stink…literally. My motto: “When encountering a smell, just clean, and keep it moving. You’re human. Deciding to remove items is progress.” I’m particularly affected by smells. So, a first step in my decluttering was removing offensive odors and refreshing with my favorite scents.
Next, oh, isn’t “IT” lovely? Of course, IT is. But, I’d had IT locked away in a storage bin or in a junk drawer with other unused items. Tidying guru, Marie Kondo, advises touching each item while decluttering, expressing gratitude, and letting it go. Time to touch and go: Give IT away, sell IT, or pitch IT. Reducing IT equals self-care.
Spring Into Showers of Self Care
The 30-day decluttering challenge had challenges! For instance, my 11-year-old daughter reminded me adeptly as to why I should keep items. Quickly, I learned to distract her with other activities, while I decluttered.
The benefits of decluttering are worth it. After tackling my purse and home, I decluttered my office. I can navigate both home and office more easily, and they are more appealing, aesthetically. It’s like walking into a new space. Less clutter uplifts my mood.
I invite you to accept a 30-day decluttering challenge for April. If “Spring Cleaning” isn’t your thing, just (re)start somewhere with your self-care. Maybe your shower door has a message?
Stacey Sougoufara
Stacey Sougoufara
Stacey Sougoufara, MSW, currently serves as the Social Service Director for Springhurst Health and Rehabilitation in Louisville, KY. She is the contributor of the “Individualized: Throw yourself a party of one” entry in The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals. When not working, Stacey juggles her self-care with her active daughter’s extra-curricular activities, including ballet and music. Stacey is the Vice President of the Derby City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. and is responsible for membership.