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When you hear that buzz word “declutter” do you immediately think about all the time it would take and the aggravation it would cause to get rid of all the stuff that’s cluttering your house? Is your next instinct to close the closet doors and run for the hills? We get it, these reactions are 100% human. The question people are asking themselves is, “will the effort be worth it?” You better believe it is, and in fact experts say that it will not only improve your closet space, it will also improve your entire life. Decluttering is not just about getting rid of unused items, it’s about making your life and the lives’ of others better. Let’s take a look at six reasons why your life will improve when you make up your mind  that now is the time to declutter. The good news is that decluttering can be free and easy, especially with our tried and true tips.

Reason 1

Decluttered Living Is Peaceful Living
“A clutter-free environment allows you to perform tasks of daily living more efficiently because everything you need is readily available and within reach,” says Darcey Rojas, a wellness advocate and healthy home designer. Reducing aggravating clutter that causes frustration will allow you to find what you need and use on a daily basis quickly and easily. We call it APFE/EIIP or “A place for everything and everything in its place.” We have all had that feeling of “aahhhh” when we look around our living spaces and see serene organization. The trick is how to keep our spaces calm, peaceful and decluttered. We have a tip on how to do just that a little it later.

Reason 2

Decluttering Reduces Stress and Increases Self-Esteem
According to Dr. Robert London, a New York City-based mental health professional, “Clutter leads to anxiety, embarrassment, family stresses… When you relieve the problem and learn to throw things away, you feel better.” If you have ever felt anxiety rise at the thought of guests coming over, you know what the doctor is talking about. Anxiety can rise when we open a messy closet door or take a look in our garages. Science has shown that unnecessary stress and anxiety can lead to unforeseen health issues. Life is stressful enough, our homes need to be calm and peaceful places for us to recharge. Luckily, we have some easy and free tips on how to declutter your stress provoking areas and in turn feel great about yourself.

Reason 3

Decluttering = Donating = A Better Life For All
One of the main reasons why our lives become over cluttered is we have been taught not to be wasteful and throw good things away. This mindset is a positive thing and one we should feel proud about. Why do we hang on to stuff that is in good condition, but we simply will never need or use again?

One main reason is we do not know what to do with all that stuff. The answer is donating. Developing the habit of donating not only improves your life, but will improve the lives of our fellow community members. When we donate to worthy community organizations, such as the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), our hearts grow with pride and gratitude. Here’s some great news, donating to the VVA is easy and free! 

Reason 4

Positive Habits Lead to a Happier Life
We have some easy tips below that will help you to establish the positive habit of ongoing decluttering. Nothing makes us feel better about ourselves and our lives than breaking a negative habit and establishing positive ones. The most important thing to remember about habits is the negative ones did not appear overnight. Same is true for positive habits, they will take time and practice. Since all aspects of improving your life is an ongoing journey, think of living in a clutter free environment in the same way. One great way of reminding yourself to continuously declutter is to place two empty declutter boxes in your closets or other clutter prone areas. Label one Toss for all soiled or broken items and the other Donate for all of those items that are in good shape but you do not use. Trading out storage boxes filled with stuff you do not use for Toss and Donate boxes means you will build your positive habit of ongoing decluttering.

Reason 5

Clutter Free is Accident Free
It has been proven, sometimes the hard way, that cluttered homes can be unsafe. It is hard to fully enjoy our home life if boxes tumble down from shelves or we stub toes walking down hallways. When clutter takes over we find ourselves buying more boxes, adding more shelves and storing stuff up and out into what should be living space. Don’t wait until a box falls on your head to start your decluttering habit. Safety first, now is the time to put your boxes and bags to good use by filling them up with clothing, shoes, linens, toys, books and all that other stuff you have not used in a long time.

Reason 6

Save Time and Money for the Fun Stuff in Life
The greatest moments of our lives are always those we spend with family and friends. We can find ourselves in the trap of spending time and money on stuff we do not need over heading off on an adventure or participating in a family event. Less stuff means more time enjoying life and less digging through closets, drawers and garages. Less stuff also means you can get rid of your expensive storage solutions. Whether its additional storage boxes, sheds or storage units — that precious money could be used to enhance your life.

Now you know some awesome reasons why living in a decluttered home will definitely improve your life, here are some tips on how to do it free and easy!

Start Small and Stay Consistent
Usually when we want our better life to start, we want it to start now. We love that motivation. It is just as important to maintain your motivation by not becoming overwhelmed. One of the great things about scheduling with PickUp Please is you can schedule as many pick ups as you need, as often as you need them, all completely free of charge. Start with one closet or area and get it completely decluttered, schedule a convenient pick up, then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Chances are acknowledging your accomplishments will give you the energy to tackle your next area. In no time you will have a clutter free oasis and an improved lifestyle.

The Quick Declutter Method
Sometimes we ruminate too much over what to keep, toss and donate. Don’t get bogged down into too much time spent wondering what you want to keep. Here is an effective rule of thumb that will help you make decisions quickly: keep the items that you have used in the last three months and items you consider heirlooms or keepsakes.

Tackle each area by placing each item in your hands and ask yourself these simple questions, “Do I still use this item? Is this item an heirloom or keepsake? Is the item in usable condition? Would someone else use this item?” Keep all items you still use and value. Toss items that are unusable, soiled or broken. Donate all good condition items you do not use to the VVA. Once you have mastered the Quick Declutter Method, you will be shocked how easy it is get your spaces clean and organized.

Easy and Free Donations
Once you have returned all of your usable items, keepsakes and heirlooms back to their storage areas, it’s time to donate. If you haven’t already, simply put all of these items in any cardboard box or bag and label “VVA”. Items that do not fit into boxes or bags can be tagged “VVA.” Place your donations on your porch or driveway in view of the street. Like magic, your PickUp Please driver will arrive as scheduled and take them away. It is that easy.

Improving our lives and the lives our our family, friends and community is a worthwhile and joyful journey. Start your journey today!