6 Excellent Reasons Why You Should Be Decluttering Your Life

Most of us don't like to see ourselves as hoarders, but it's all too easy to end up holding on to way more stuff than you really need to, without realising what's really going on. A drawer full of pens, papers, dried up ink pots, refills and memos you have no use for. A closet groaning under the weight of clothes you secretly know you'll never wear. A desk that seems to have piles and piles of unopened mails and unread books... Seems familiar? Sounds like you need a decluttering intervention. So here are six reasons why you need to declutter and take charge of your life.

It will increase your productivity

Whether it's your room, your closet, or your desk, having to operate in an environment that is cluttered and filled with physical objects will leave you feeling more stressed than ever before, hampering your ability to think clearly or feel relaxed in that space. The mess around you competes with your attention for the task at hand. In your room, it competes with sleep and down-time; in your closet, it competes with your ability to find things and get dressed in the least amount of time and at work, it keeps you from staying focussed on your job. For an instant boost in productivity, declutter and organise the physical spaces you routinely occupy.

It will improve your mood and energy levels

The more stuff you own and is piling up around you, the more mental and physical energy you have to spend on its upkeep. With so many emotionally and intellectually draining reasons to be stressed that are inevitable with urban living, do you really want to add physical objects to the list of things you need to worry about? Decluttering will reduce your stress and anxiety, which will in turn add to your energy levels. Do it.

It will improve your health

There's only so much cleaning you're going to be able to do, with all the stuff you've accumulated over the years. A less than clean environment means higher chances of you taking ill due to allergies and viral/ bacterial infections. Not to mention that beyond a point, it might be an invitation for rodents and roaches to co-habit with you.

It will make you more creative

How are you going to write that bestselling novel or compose a cult song, if your attention is being divvied up between love letters from your college sweetheart many, many years ago; the post-it notes you tacked onto your board, three jobs ago and miscellaneous knick-knacks you find in your drawer every time you try to find a working pen? Your creativity doesn't have place to come out and play until you clear out the junk.

You'll have more time!

Less stuff to worry about or take care of means more time to do things you actually wanted to do. If for no other reason, declutter just so you can have a little extra time every week to yourself.

You'll let go of stuff anchoring you to painful memories

Do you really need to hold on to the pyjamas of the man who broke your heart? It's okay to hang on to physical reminders of our memories in the immediate aftermath of big events, but beyond a point, they become unhealthy and hamper our ability to move on and ahead. Throwing away old stuff could just be the closure you need from some painful memories and incidents in your life.