7 “Unexpected” Benefits for Decluttering Your Home
You probably already know the “obvious” amazing benefits of a decluttered home such as more space, less stress, more peace of mind, better sleep, and better emotional health.
However, did you know there are other unexpected decluttering benefits that might surprise you?
Drawing from my “extreme decluttering” experience for an overseas move, in this blog post, I will share some of the unexpected and surprising benefits that I’ve discovered. I hope these insights will serve as compelling reasons to kickstart your own decluttering journey.
Are you read? Let’s dive in!
The Unexpected Benefits of Decluttering
Let’s take a look at these unexpected great benefits for decluttering your home.
improve your problem solving skills
I was so surprised when I realized my improved problem solving skills came from decluttering my home! Here is what I mean:
By looking at my clutter and recalling what I was thinking when I bought them, I realized that I liked to turn to shopping as my “default solution” whenever I faced a problem. However, I failed to understand that buying new stuff was not always the solution.
And that’s why:
Having 5 pairs of running shoes didn’t help me establish an exercise habit; buying an advanced vacuum cleaner didn’t make my home any cleaner; owning 10 cookbooks and expensive kitchen gadgets didn’t make me a better cook. These items were all unnecessary clutter.
If I had taken more time to analyzed my problems, I would have understood, that a minor shift in mindset, adopting a new habit, or utilizing something already in my possession could have sufficed to solve the problem.
Since then, I’ve acquired the habit of identifying the root cause before attempting to solve any problem. Surprisingly, lots of times the solutions did not involve buying. Even if the solution leads to buying a new product, I am less likely to make impulsive decisions and regret later on.
Develop patience
Since decluttering is rarely accomplished in one go, it’s essential to break down the big task into smaller, more manageable sessions.
If you can’t wait to get to the end-results quickly and rush to make decisions, you’ll learn that making decisions without thinking carefully can lead to regrettable outcomes.
Without patience, you might recklessly throw away something that is still useful, that you have to repurchase it. Even worse, you might declutter an sentimental item and regret for the rest of your life.
Recognizing that the decluttering process is not a race will teach you the importance of patience. This skill extends beyond decluttering and proves valuable in various aspects of life.
become an intentional shopper
The process of decluttering is a great way to understand where your possessions came from and why you bought them in the first place. This will help you make better decisions in the future.
When I was decluttering for my overseas move, I found a bunch of unused items that I didn’t even remember I had. They were impulse buys, bought because I felt I had to purchase something to make the shopping trip “worthwhile”.
So I settled for things I didn’t really love, and when I got home, I just put them away and forgot about them.
After this discovery, when shopping, I always remind myself that it’s okay not to buy if I am not 100% sure. I’ve since become more intentional in my shopping habits.
By decluttering and analyzing the items you’ve accumulated, you can identify the triggers that led to their purchase. Was it a sale, a sense of obligation, or a desire for instant gratification?
Understanding the root cause of your shopping behavior can help you address underlying issues and prevent future clutter.
Gain Confidence Knowing You Are in Control
Picture this: a home where everything has its place, and you’re in charge.
The act of decluttering instills a sense of control over your surroundings, leading to increased confidence. Knowing that you can manage your space boosts your overall confidence in managing other aspects of your life.
You’ll realize that you have the power to make positive changes and create the life you desire. This confidence can give you the motivation to tackle other challenges and pursue your goals.
Learn to Make smart Decisions
Decluttering requires you to make decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
It can be challenging to part with items, but through this process, you’ll get lots of practice on how to make decisions quickly and smartly. You’ll also learn to trust your instincts when you are uncertain about whether to keep or let go certain items.
This skill of making smart decisions can carry over to other areas of your life, such as your work or personal relationships. By practicing this skill, you’ll become more decisive and efficient in all aspects of your life.
Know what to focus on
As you start your decluttering journey, you’ll gain clarity on what truly matters to you. You will know the important things to focus on, either in terms of material possessions, or in life.
For examples:
- I now only buy t-shirts that are slim-fit after getting rid of so many t-shirts that didn’t fit me well.
- I talk to my parents on the phone more and make an effort to visit them more (they live in Asia) because I felt so much love when I saw the stuff they bought for me.
The process of decluttering offers a unique opportunity to reflect on your life and consider what changes you want to make. Knowing what’s important for you will help you stay focused and live a more intentional life.
Appreciate The open Space Around You
I used to feel the need to fill any empty space I came across in my home. It felt strange when things weren’t occupying it.
It was really satisfying to see the transformation of my home as clutter being moved out and more empty space started to show.
Now that I’ve moved into a new home, I no longer feel the need to fill up every corner of the living space with furniture and stuff. I feel perfectly fine to leave the empty spaces as they are. They are the source for mental clarity, creativity and a sense of calm.
Conclusion
Decluttering is like a self-discovery journey. In addition to removing unwanted stuff from your home and creating a more organized space, it’s also about discovering what truly matters to you and improve yourself.
To recap, here are the great benefits of decluttering you might not expect:
- improve your problem-solving skills
- develop patience
- become an intentional shopper
- gain confidence knowing you are in control
- learn to make smart decisions
- know what to focus on
- appreciate the open spaces around you
These benefits have really made a positive impact on my life, and I genuinely hope you’ll begin to experience them too once you start your decluttering journey!
